32 CKLETODON. SCOMBERIDEjE, OR MACKEREL TRIBE. 



mostly in stripes or bands. They generally haunt rocky shores; 

 and their flesh is considered excellent food. One species of this 

 genus, the Cheetodon rostratus, is remarkable for the manner in 

 which it obtains its insect prey, by shooting drops of water from 

 its long snout, so as to bring them down within its reach. 

 Another fish of the same family, called the Archer, will in this 

 manner shoot drops of water to the distance of three or four feet, 

 rarely missing its aim. These fish inhabit the seas around 

 Java; and other species are found in different parts of the 

 Indian seas. 



558. The next family, SCOMBERIDE^E, or the Mackerel 

 tribe, is one of the greatest importance to Man, from the large 

 supply of wholesome and palatable food which it affords 

 him. It consists of a number of species varying consider- 

 ably in size ; but distinguished by possessing a smooth 

 skin, covered with a multitude of small scales; and by 

 having a large and vigorous tail and caudal fin. They , are 

 divided into several groups, according to the form of the fins, 

 tail, &c. In the first of these are associated the common 

 Mackerel, the Tunny, and others, which are distinguished by 

 having the hinder rays of the dorsal and anal fins separated 

 into small fins. The Mackerel is remarkable for the beauty 

 of its colours, in which it is almost pre-eminent among British 

 fishes ; and for the rapidity with which it dies and becomes 

 tainted, when removed from the water. The periodical 

 appearance of large shoals of this fish upon our coasts, was 

 formerly imputed to its migration from north to south. But 

 many facts are opposed to this idea; and there can be little 

 doubt that it is an inhabitant of the deeper parts of the seas 

 around our island through the whole year, and that its appear- 

 ance on our coasts is solely due to its seeking the shore, for the 

 purpose of depositing its spawn. It is during the months of 

 May and June that this takes place ; and these months, there- 

 fore, constitute the most active season for Mackerel fishing. 

 This fish is most abundant on the southern coasts of England ; 

 but instances have been mentioned, in which large shoals have 

 been met with even off the coast of Greenland. The Tunny is 



