410 FISHES. ABDOMINALES. 



L. osseus, Cuv. Head flat ; snout long, without scales ; nine rays 

 in the dorsal and anal fin ; the first ray of each fin, and the last 

 of the caudal strong, furnished with scales, and appearing as if 

 dentated ; scales very large, square, osseous, disposed in oblique 

 rows along the sides ; colour greenish above ; abdomen rose-co- 

 loured. 5 to 6 feet long. Inhabits rivers and lakes of Ameri- 

 ca. Block, pi. 390. 



Gen. 31. POLYPTERUS, Geoff. 



Margin of the upper jaw immoveable ; a row of conical teeth 

 in both jaws, and behind these rasp-like smaller ones ; body 

 elongated, and covered with strong scales ; a large plate on 

 the cheeks ; one rlat ray on the branchial membrane ; a num- 

 ber of small dorsal fins, each supported by a strong spine ; 

 caudal fin surrounding the tail. 



P. Bichir, Geoff. Body sea green, with some black spots ; belly 

 whitish. Inhabits the Nile Shaw, v. pi. 112. 



FAMILY III. ESOCES. 



This family want the adipose fin, and the upper jaw is formed by the intermaxil- 

 lary bone, or, when it is not, the maxillary is without teeth, and concealed in the 

 thickness of the lips. Their intestinal canal is short, without coecums, and all have 

 a swimming-vessel. They are very voracious fishes, and many ascend rivers. 



Gen. 32. Esox, Cuv. 



Snout long, obtuse, broad and depressed ; long pointed teeth 

 on the sides of lower jaw ; the intermaxillaries, vomer, pa- 

 late, and tongue furnished with small and crowded teeth ; one 

 dorsal fin opposite the anal one. 



E. Lucius, Lin. The Common Pike. Body pale olive gray, deep- 

 est on the back, and marked on the sides by several yellowish 

 spots or patches ; abdomen white, slightly spotted with black. 

 4 to 8 feet long. Lakes and rivers in Europe. Shaw, v. pi. 108. 



The Pike is one of the most voracious of fresh water fishes. Mr Pennant men- 

 tions an instance of one choked by attempting to swallow another of its own species 

 that proved too large. It is common in most of the lakes of Europe, feeds on fish, 

 frogs, &c., and will even devour the water-rat or young ducks. It is, according to 

 Bloch, of all fishes that which increases most rapidly in size. The first year it grows 

 to the length of 8 or 10 inches ; in the second to 12 or 14 ; and the third to 18 or 

 20. It sometimes grows to the length of six feet. The pike appears to survive to 

 an advanced age. Rzaczynski mentions one that was ninety years old ; and Ges- 

 ner relates that in 1497 a pike was taken near Hailbrun in Suabia, with a brazen 

 ring attached to it, bearing that it had been put into the lake in October 1230. This 

 ring is preserved at Manheim. Pikes spawn in March or April, according to the 

 weather. Their flesh is much esteemed. 



Gen. 33. GALAXIAS, Cuv. 



Body without apparent scales ; teeth pointed, and medium sized 

 on the palate and both jaws ; upper jaw formed almost en- 

 tirely by the intermaxillary bone ; some strong hooked teeth 

 on the tongue ; pores on the sides of the head. 



