THE STURGEON. 147 



the Sturionidcz or Sturgeons, are similar to the Sharks, 

 having long angulated bodies with longitudinal rows 

 of plates and spines. The snout is long and conical, 

 and the tube-like mouth, not furnished with teeth, 

 is under the head at a distance from the nose. 

 Between the mouth and the muzzle are four very 

 elastic barbs or wattles like worms. These wattles 

 are said to be used by the animal to attract small 

 fishes on which it preys. The value of the Sturgeon 

 family in the fisheries of Russia and other countries 

 is well known, every part of the fish being turned to 



MOUTH OF STURGEON. 



use. In England there are only two species. With 

 their long snouts they poke up the bottoms of rivers 

 to feed on the mollusks, mud-fish, insects, &c. , which 

 are buried in or frequent these spots. 



The Common Sturgeon (Acdpenser sturio) is usually 

 from 6 to 8 feet long, but sometimes much longer, 

 in which case they will probably weigh at least 200 Ib. 



This fish is migratory, but does not remain long 

 in the sea, and is said seldom to have been taken 

 there. 



The Broad-nosed Sturgeon (Acdpenser huso) is some- 

 times very large. There is a specimen of a stuffed 

 L 2 



