n8 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



Sub-Class CHONDROPTERYGII. 



Order GANOIDEI. 



Sub- Order CHONDROSTEI. 



Family ACIPENSERID^. 



Genus AciPENSER, Artedi. 



Acipenser sturio, Linn. STURGEON. 



This is occasionally taken in all our rivers, but it is rare. 

 When captured in the Thames, within the jurisdiction of the 

 City of London, it is usually judged a proper present for the 

 Lord Mayor's table. 



The capture of a Sturgeon, weighing 131 Ibs., in the 

 Blackwater River, near Beeleigh Mills, Maldon, is noted as 

 a remarkable circumstance (Donovan, British Fishes, vol. Hi., 

 plate Ixv.) Dr. Bree, referring to a small specimen found at 

 Thorpe-le-Soken in 1864, raises the question whether the fish 

 breeds here or migrates from the Danube (Field, Aug. 6th, 

 1864, p. 105). 



Mr. Fitch records the capture of two very large Sturgeons 

 in the Blackwater on May 9th, 1886, and May I5th, 1890. 

 The latter, which weighed 2 1 2 Ibs. and measured seven feet 

 eleven inches in length, was exhibited at Chelmsford, and 

 eventually went to Sweeting's, in Cheapside (Essex Nat., 

 vol. iv., p. 120). Others are mentioned (ZooL, 1879, p. 383, 

 and 1883, p. 3^1). About the middle of August, 1891, 

 those engaged on the smack " Emmie," whilst dredging near 

 Cliff Reach, Burnham, saw a fine Sturgeon disporting 

 itself (Essex County Chronicle, August 2ist, 1891). 



