THE PIKE OF FACT 25 



tines, the inner row of which are the larger, more or less 

 strong and depressible : also fine ones on the tongue. 

 Fins the dorsal is situated in the last fourth of the 

 total length (excluding the caudal fin), and slightly in 

 advance of the origin of the anal. Pectoral placed low 

 dowrt and below the subopercle. The ventral slightly 

 behind the middle of the total length (excluding the 

 caudal fin). Caudal emarginate or slightly forked. 

 Scales small, present on the cheeks, upper portions of 

 the opercle, and over the body. Lateral line nearly 

 straight. Colours when in the greatest perfection of 

 a green colour, becoming lighter on the sides and 

 beneath ; numerous yellow blotches, spots, or lines along 

 the head and body ; dorsal, anal, and caudal fins of a light 

 ground colour with irregular blotches, spots and bands 

 of dark. When out of season the green becomes of a 

 gray and the yellow markings pale or white. 



The voracity of the pike may be accepted without 

 cavil. It is a predatory fish, and of strong and active 

 habits. Nothing comes amiss to it, though we need 

 not believe the old story of an infant child being 

 extracted from a pike's stomach. Most authorities 

 agree that the fish will not refuse a minnow or a frog, 

 nor disdain water-rats, puppies, kittens, weasels, duck- 

 lings, ducks, goslings, dabchicks, coots, and moorhens ; 

 and Dr. Day quotes, not disapprovingly, the statement 

 that when emboldened by hunger a pike has been 

 known to attack asses, mules, dogs, horses, and even 

 men. 



