FISHES DIAGRAM 5. 99 



The Tunny and the Mackerel. The Tunny is a large fisli which 

 sometimes reaches the length of yard and a half. It is not very 

 common on our coasts, but they fish for it in the Mediterranean, 

 where it appears in large shoals. It much resembles the mackerel. 

 It is taken either with lines or nets, in which a great number are 

 killed by the blows of a boathook. 



The Mackerel is especially abundant in the Atlantic Ocean, and 

 in the Channel ; and is one of the most important of our English 

 fish, as it is frequently taken in enormous quantities. 



The Stickleback. This is a very little fish which lives in ponds, 

 rivers, and brooks. It may be known by the spines on its back 

 and sides. It erects 

 them when it is 

 threatened, and in- 

 flicts painful wounds 

 with them, though 

 not venomous ones 

 as was formerly be- 

 lieved. Sticklebacks Stickleback and Nest. 

 are active, and assume in Spring very fine blue and red colours 

 which they afterwards lose. They make true nests at the bottom 

 of the water ; they collect small pebbles and weeds, and lay their 

 eggs there, which both parents watch unceasingly. They never 

 absent themselves, and keep the water in constant agitation near 

 the nest. It is easy to observe all this in shallow pools, or in 

 rivers overhung by trees, if they are approached carefully, and 

 without frightening them. 



The GW. Of all fish used for human food, the cod fish is that 

 which is taken in greatest 

 abundance. Every year 

 the various European ports 

 dispatch hundreds of vessels 

 to fish for cod on the Cod. 



American Coast. They are found on our shores, but not in 

 sufficient abundance for a ship to be rapidly loaded with them. 



