204 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



much slower. On the Thames, within the City jurisdiction, 

 which extends up to Staines, pike-fishing is illegal between 

 March i and May 31. 



Principal Characteristics of the Common Pike. Body elon- 

 gated, nearly uniform in depth from head to commence- 

 ment of back fin, then becoming narrower ; body covered with 

 small scales, lateral line indistinct. Length of head compared 

 to total length of head, body and tail as i to 4. Back and anal 

 fins placed very far back, nearly opposite each other. From 

 point of nose to origin of pectoral fin, and thence to origin 

 of ventral fin, and thence to commencement of anal fins are 

 three nearly equal distances. Pectoral and ventral fins small, 

 rays of anal fins elongated. Tail somewhat forked. Shape 

 of head, Ion?, flattened and wide ; gape extensive. Lower 

 jaws longest, with numerous small teeth round the front. The 

 sides with five or six very large and sharp teeth on each side. 

 Upper jaw somewhat duck-billed. Teeth on vomcr small ; 

 on the palatine bones larger and longer, particularly on the 

 inner edges : none on superior maxillary bones. Head covered 

 with mucous orifices placed in pairs. Checks and upper parts 

 of gill-covers covered with scales. Colour of head and upper 

 part of back dusky olive-brown, growing lighter and mottled 

 with green and yellow on sides, passing into silvery white on 

 belly, pectoral and ventral fins pale brown ; bark, anal, and tail 

 fins darker brown, mottled with white, yellow, and dark green. 



