STURGEON TRIBE. 515 



the tail is completely surrounded by the fin-rays, and the muzzle is either short or 

 developed into a narrow beak of moderate length. There is some doubt as to the 

 exact number of species of sturgeons, as these fish vary considerably according to 

 their age, but it is probable that nearly twenty different kinds may be admitted. 

 Among the better known forms one of the most esteemed is the sterlet ( A. ruthvenus), 

 which although rarely exceeding a yard in length, yields better flavoured flesh and 

 finer caviare than any of the others. It is characterised by its narrow, pointed 

 snout, and by the great number of bony plates on the sides of the body ; these 

 varying from sixty to seventy. Common in the Black Sea and Caspian, as well as 

 in their influent rivers, the sterlet is likewise found in the Siberian rivers, while it 



STERLET (^ nat. size). 



ascends the Danube as far as Vienna. In contrast to this species, may be noticed 

 the giant sturgeon, or hausen (8. huso), shown in our full-page illustration. 

 Having from forty to forty-five lateral bony plates, this species may be readily 

 distinguished by the absence of shields on the muzzle, which is rather short and 

 pointed. It is found in the Black Sea, Caspian, Sea of Azov, and their tributaries, 

 and occasionally enters the Mediterranean. At one time this sturgeon was to be 

 met with in the Danube by thousands, among which specimens of upwards of 

 24 feet in length were by no means uncommon ; but relentless slaughter has 

 greatly reduced not only their numbers but likewise their size, although even now 

 fish of from 1200 to 1500 Ibs. weight are occasionally taken. These, however, are 

 mere pigmies to certain Russian examples, one of which is stated to have weighed 



