THE STURGEO N. 127 



fcalcs on the back ; the fecond fifteen ; the latter thirteen on the 

 back and forty-three on the tail. The firfl: is the Sturgeon, the flefli of 

 which is fent pickled into all parts of Europe. The fecond is the fifh 

 from the roe of which that noted delicacy called caviar is made : and 

 the third, befides fupplying the caviar, furnilhes alfo the valuable com-; 

 modify of ifinglafs. They all grow to a very great fize; and foine of 

 them have been found above eighteen feet long. 



There is not a country in Europe but what this fifh vifits at different 

 fcafons ; it annually afcends the largeft rivers xofpawriy and propagates 

 in amazing numbers. The inhabitants along the banks of the Po, the 

 Danube, and the Wolga, make great profit of its incurfions up the 

 ftream, and have their nets prepared for its reception. The fturgeon 

 alfo is brought daily to the markets of Rome and Venice, and abounds 

 in the Mediterranean; thofethat keep entirely either in faltorfrefh waw 

 ter are comparatively fmall. When the fturgeon enjoys the viciffitude 

 of frefh and fait water, it grows to an enormous fize. It is often acci^ 

 dentally taken in our rivers in falmon-nets : a fiSi taken in the Efke 

 weighed four hundred and fixty pounds. North- America alfo furniflies 

 the fturgeon ; their rivers, in May, June, and July, fupply them in 

 very great abundance. At that time they are feen fporting in the water, 

 and leaping from its furface fcveral yards into the air. When they fall 

 again on their fides, the concufiion is fo violent, that the noife is heard 

 in ftill weather at fome miles diftance. 



It is never caught by a bait in the ordinary manner of fifhing, but al- 

 ways in nets j it never attempts to feize any of the finny tribe, but lives 

 by rooting at the bottom of the fea for infects and fea-plants. Nothing is 

 found in its ftomach but a kind of flimy fubftance, which has induced 

 fome to think it lives only upon water and air. From hence there is a 

 German proverb, which is applied to a man extremely temperate, when 

 they fay he is as moderate as a fturgeon. >,.,.^-.. 



The fmalleft fi(h is alone fufficient to terrify a flioal of fturgeonsj for, 

 being unforhiflied with any weapon ofdefence^ they are obliged to truft 

 to fwiftnefs and cailtion for fecurity. Sturgeons live in focicty among 

 themfelves ; Gefner afierts, that he has feen them ftioal together, at t^Q 

 notes of a trumpet, • > 



The nets in which the fturgeon is caught are made of fmall cord, and 

 placed acrofs the mouth of the river; but in fuch a manner that, whether 

 the tide ebbs or flows, the pouch of the net goes with the ftream. The 

 fturgeon thus caught, while-in the water, is one of the ftrongeft fiflies that 

 Part V. No. 29, Q^q fwims. 



