ALDERMEN AND POLICE. 



425 



but about one fifth of the whole number inhabit fresh-water 

 streams, or occasionally ascend them from the sea. 



Scale of Inches. 



1. Mailed Gurnard, Peristedion malarmat. 2. Big Porgee, Payrus argyrops. 3. Banded 

 Ephippus, or Three-tailed Porgee, Ephippus faber. 4. The Sheepshead (famed for 

 its exquisite flesh), Sargw ovis. 5. Streaked or Rock Gurnard, Trigla lineata. 6. Ax- 

 illary Sea Bream, PageUus acarne. 1. Bearded Umbrina, Umbrina mdqaris. (The 

 Umbrina is given as the representative of the family of the Maigres, which includes 

 our Weakfish, Corvinas, the Chub, Kingfish, and the Drum, the latter noted for the 

 loud drumming noise which it makes, and the cause of which is still a mystery.) 8. 

 Common Mackerel, Scomber scomber. 



The several species of the Pilot-fish, of which so many cu- 

 rious stories have been told, also belong to the Mackerel fam- 

 ily. The ancient naturalists asserted that the common pilot- 

 fish, which is a pretty little fish about a foot in length, joins 

 company with the tempest-tossed bark of the anxious mar- 

 iner, indicates to him his nearest course to land, and leaves 

 him as soon as it has fulfilled this kind office. 



Others, with much reason, deny this assertion, and allege 

 that the pilot, like the shark, follows vessels for the purpose 

 of obtaining a share of the garbage which may be thrown 

 overboard. Certain, however, it is, that their perseverance 

 in this respect is very singular, as is narrated in the case of 

 an English vessel which was accompanied by two pilot-fish 



