240 



THE PIKE. 



There is also a species of pike peculiar to New Holland, an excel- 

 lent engraving of which may be seen in Griffith's supplement to 

 that part of Cuvier's Animal Kingdom which treats of fishes. 



The pike presents a different aspect from most fishes, from the 

 peculiar formation of the head caused by the great depression of 

 the muzzle, which gives it something the appearance of the beak 

 of an aquatic bird, whilst the low jaw projecting considerably be- 

 yond the upper, and its bright yet sunken eyes, gives it a very 

 fierce and savage expression of countenance, fully indicative of its 

 cannibal propensities. The teeth are unusually strong, of great 

 size, sharp as needles, and bending downwards towards the throat, 

 resembling very much in form the thorns on a bramble bush, from 

 which peculiar formation the fish is easily enabled to retain its prey 

 within its grasp ; and even when the hand is inserted for the pur- 

 pose of detaching a hook, when the fish is in a perfectly quiescent 

 state, the greatest caution is requisite in withdrawing it ; for if 

 drawn out hastily, a severe laceration is the inevitable consequence. 

 These formidable teeth are placed not only in the front of the up- 

 per jaw, and in the sides of the lower, but the roof of the mouth 

 is completely studded with them, whilst it has often three rows 

 upon the tongue, and even down to the orifice of the stomach. 

 The gape of the jaws is remarkably wide, which is caused by its 

 having on each side of them an additional bone, like the jaw of a 

 viper. 



The pike is a rapid growing fish, though his increase in bulk 

 will depend in a great measure upon the supply of food it can ob- 

 tain. Instances have occurred of their growing at the rate of 4 

 Ibs a year for several years ; in proof of which Mr. Jesse states 

 that he saw three pikes taken out of a pond in Staffordshire be- 

 longing to Sir Jervoise Clark Jervoise, two of which weighed 

 thirty six pounds. The pond was fished every seven years ; so 

 that supposing store pike of six or seven pounds weight were 

 left in it, the growth of the pike in question must have been at least 

 to the extent above stated. Still I apprehend that it can only be 

 under very favorable circumstances that such a rapid increase in 

 growth will take place ; and from the result of ray own observa- 

 tions in the different waters I have fished in, I am inclined to think 

 that an annual increase of about two pounds is nearer the usual 

 average ; and in small hungry waters I am certain the growth is 

 much less. According to Bloch the young reach the length of 



