NATURALIST'S CASINET. 



Several varieties, and various sizes. 



no means obliterates them. Several varieties of 

 this fish inhabit the ocean : they belong to the 

 voracious class, and some of them grow to a very 

 great size. As they are found in the German 

 ocean, the Baltic and Mediterranean, it is not 

 surprising that the ancient naturalists were ac- 

 quainted with them. Aristotle mentions six, and 

 Pliny seven kinds. Subsequent naturalists have 

 reckoned upwards of thirty, but of these varie- 

 ties only three are found upon our coasts : these 

 are the common mackrel, the bastard or horse- 

 mackrel, and the thunny. 



The mackrel of the Baltic and Mediterranean 

 seas are smaller than those of the German ocean, 

 seldom exceeding a foot in length, and weighing 

 about a pound. In the latter they sometimes 

 measure two feet, and Pennant mentions an in- 

 stance of one taken on the English coast that 

 weighed five pounds. In general they seldom 

 exceed two pounds. 



The mackrel is also found round the Canary 

 islands, at Surinam and St. Croix in the West 

 Indies, and in many other parts of the ocean. It 

 is one of those gregareous fish that appear in 

 immense shoals at regular periods, and it is at 

 the same time one of the most delicate and useful 

 of those that visit our coasts. It is, however, so 

 very tender, as to be unfit for long carriage. In 

 winter they keep themselves concealed in the 

 depths of the sea, and in spring repair to the 

 shores either to breed or in quest of food, which 



