518 TEN YEAES IN SWEDEN. 



and is met with everywhere, from the south of Scania to 

 far up in Lapland and Finland, and even in fell lakes above the 

 birch region. The pike spawns in Sweden at three different 

 seasons : the younger and smaller fish begin first, about the end 

 of February; these are called "is gaddor," or ice pike, and 

 are about 18 in. long. A little later, in March and April, 

 the larger ones spawn; these are called "fro gaddor," 

 or frog pike, because the common frogs spawn about the 

 same time. The largest spawn in May, when the trees are 

 in leaf and are consequently called "lof giiddor" or leaf 

 pike. 



It is a singular circum stance here, and one which I never 

 noticed in England, that at certain times the gums grow 

 over the teeth of the pike, like the lampas in a young horse, 

 and for ten days or so they cannot take a bait well. These 

 periods are said by some to occur regularly, according to 

 the age of the moon ; but what appears singular is that they 

 are not supposed to occur at the same time every year, but 

 to be dependent on the termination of the spawning season. 

 I never yet met with any one, however, who could fully 

 explain this phenomenon, or state exactly at what time of 

 the moon it would occur. But I have noticed it at certain 

 times during the whole fishing season, and they say, that 

 ten days before the new moon and ten days after is the 

 period when the pike cannot hang on a bait. 



Gen. Scomber Esoces, Mull. 



The lower throat bones grown up together, as in the 

 labri. Salt water fish. Go in large shoals. Dorsal and 

 anal fins entire. 



Subgen. Belone, Cuv. 



Body like an eel ; nose lengthened to a long small round 

 beak ; dorsal and anal fins entire. 



86. BELONE VULGAEIS, Cuv. Nabbgadda. The Gar Fish. 



F. D. 

 Is very common both in the North Sea, Cattegat, and 



