FISHES. 



Y 



Sword fish. 



Sturgeon. 





(331) 



Flying-fish. 



The Sword Fish inhabits all parts of the Mediterranean, and is sometimes seen near England and 

 Scotland ; his " sword" is a lengthening of the upper jaw, is very strong, and can do considerable injury to 

 any object, against which it strikes. In the British Musuem is a portion of a ship's bottom completely per- 

 forated by one of these swords. The shock must have killed the fish. 



This fish is usually from twelve to fifteen feet long, and 

 feeds chiefly on tunnies, which it transfixes with its wea- 

 pon. It is said to be peculiarly hostile to the whale, and 

 that vessels are struck from being mistaken for whales. 



The Flying Fish abounds in the warmer latitudes, but is 

 sometimes seen off our coasts. Its so named " flight" is 

 merely a springing out of the water, and sustaining itself 

 temporarily in the air by its large pectoral fins. Its flight 

 rarely exceeds two hundred yards, and its object is to 

 escape the pursuit of its foes. But, while in the air, it is 

 watched for by gulls and albatrosses, so that between its 

 two classes of pursuers, it is pretty sure to become a prey. 

 The Sturgeons are remarkable for bony plates extending 

 along the body. They are very common in northern Eu- 

 rope. Isinglass is made of the air bladder, caviare is made 

 of the roe; and the flesh is very pood. The femal 

 posits her eggs in fresh water, and the young when hat 

 seek the sea, which they do not leave till ready to spawn. 



