ACIPENSER HUSO. 



water with great force at intervals. It is rarely taken at any 

 great distance from shore, but frequents such parts of the 

 sea as are not remote from the estuaries of large rivers. In 

 North America they appear in great abundance during the 

 early summer months. The flesh of the sturgeon is white, 

 delicate, and firm ; it is said to resemble veal when roasted, 

 but is generally eaten pickled, and the major part of that which 

 comes to market in that state is either from the Baltic rivers 

 or those of North America. It annually ascends the large 

 rivers, but not in any quantities, and is occasionally taken in 

 the salmon nets. From the roe, when properly salted and 

 dried, is prepared the substance known by the name of ca- 

 viare, but a very superior sort is made from a smaller species 

 called the Sterlet. 



STERLET, Acipenserrulhenus, is the smallest species of Stur- 

 geon, being from two to three feet in length : it is found in 

 the Volga and some other Russian rivers, and is considered a 

 great delicacy. The caviare made from this fish is confined 

 almost exclusively to the use of the royal table, and is es- 

 teemed a great luxury. 



The largest species of Sturgeon, called the ISINGLASS STUR- 

 GEON, Acipenser huso, is chiefly found in the Black and 

 Caspian seas, ascending the tributary streams in immense 

 multitudes. It frequently attains the length of twenty or 

 twenty-five feet, and some have been taken weighing nearly 

 three hundred pounds. It enters the rivers in the middle of 

 winter, while they are still covered with ice, is very voracious, 

 and pursues all the smaller fishes, but feeds likewise on vege- 

 tables. The fishery of this species is vastly important in the 

 South of Russia, upwards of a hundred thousand being taken 

 yearly. 



The Sturgeon was a fish in high repute among the Greeks 

 and Romans, and according to Pliny was brought to table 

 with much pomp and ornamented with flowers, the slaves 

 who carried it being also adorned with garlands and accom- 

 panied by music. Its flesh has indeed been esteemed in all 

 ages, but modern nations do not consider it so great a luxury 

 as the ancients. Its fishery, however, is an object of impor- 

 tance. 



There is a membranous bag, placed in the anterior part of 

 the abdomen of most fishes, communicating frequently, though 

 not always, by means of a duct, with the oesophagus, and 



3 



