The True Mackerel 



g. Pectoral short, not reaching much beyond tip of the moder- 

 ate ventrals; size enormous; Thunnus, 278 



gg. Pectoral very long, ribbon-shaped, reaching much beyond 

 front of anal; size moderate; Germo, 282 



ff. Vomer toothless; palatines with a single row of rather strong, 



conical teeth; body elongate, slightly compressed 



Sarda, 282 



ee. Teeth of jaws strong, subtriangular or knife-like, more or less 

 compressed, gillrakers comparatively few; corselet obscure; 



Scomberomorus, 283 



bb. Dorsal spines about 25 ; Acanthocybium, 288 



GENUS SCOMBER LINNAiUS 

 The True Mackerels 



Species few, widely distributed, usually swimming in large 

 schools; carnivorous and migratory; everywhere highly valued as 

 food. 



a. Air-bladder wanting; scombrus, 273 



aa. Air-bladder present; japonic us, 276 



Common Mackerel 



Scomber scombrits Linnaeus 



The mackerel inhabits the North Atlantic Ocean. On our 

 coast it ranges from Cape Hatteras to the Straits of Belle Isle; 

 while in European waters it is found from Norway to the 

 Mediterranean and Adriatic. 



