120 



CLASS P I S C E S. 



ORDER LCEMO-M ALACOPT ER YG I A. 



seed, but when about to be dropped are as large as field peas, and the 

 average number contained in the roe is from 18,000 to 20,000, but instances 

 have occurred in which as many as 26,000 have been found. If during 

 spawning time the male is destroyed, the female returns to deep water and 

 selects another mate, after which she returns and completes the exclusion 

 of the eggs. In about three or four months theory begin to rise from the 

 gravel beds ; but they keep in the eddy pools till they acquire strength 

 for their further movements, and then, being from two to three inches in 

 length, and from half an ounce to an ounce in weight, they are called 

 Smouts. They descend along the margin of the stream, as being easy 

 water, till they reach the tideway, when they leave the banks and run 

 into the deep water, where they are least disturbed by the action of the 

 tide, and are most free from observation. Here they remain for two or 

 three days, and then go off to sea. 



The growth of the fry, whilst remaining in salt water, is very rapid, as, 

 when they return to the rivers about the middle of June, they weigh from 

 two to three pounds. Their growth, whilst on the coast and at the 

 estuaries, is very rapid ; and, according to Mr. Little's observations, during 

 the whole period of the fishery they continue increasing steadily at about 

 half a pound a week, so that by the end of August, which is the height of 

 the Grilse season in the Tweed, they weigh from six to eight pounds. In 

 September they become scarce, and it is believed drop down to the sea, 

 from which they return in the following year as perfect Salmon of eight or 

 nine pounds weight. 



As to the mode in which Salmon leap up the falls, Agassiz says : " This 

 elastic tail is to these fishes a most powerful lever ; when wishing to leap 

 to a great height, they strike the surface of the water with a kind of double 

 stroke." 



Salmon is, as is well known, a very important article of food, but is not 

 at all times in season. The fish which have just come up from the sea are 

 considered to be in finest condition ; they do not deteriorate for the first 

 twenty-four hours, but after that time gradually decline in flavour and 

 appearance. 



ARGENTINE. The individuals composing this genus are found in the 

 Mediterranean Sea. The only known species is that figured on Plate 7 ; 

 viz., the Argentine (A. Sphynena), the digestive organs of which are like 

 those of a Trout ; the air-bladder is thick and much loaded with nacre 

 the silvery substance used in counterfeiting pearls. 



SAURUS Saury. This is one of the genera into which the Linnsean 

 genus Salmo has been divided by modern zoologists. It is distinguished 

 from the True Salmons by the edge of its upper jaw being formed entirely 

 of the intermaxillary bones, and by not having any teeth in the vomer ; 

 from the Smelts, which have only eight rays in their branchial membrane ; 

 and from the Lavarets and Argentines, which have no teeth in the jaws. 

 Some are met with in the Mediterranean, but the greater number in the 

 Indian Seas and on the coast of Brazil. They are very predaceous. There 

 are about sixteen species. 



The figured species, the Fcetid Saury (S. Foetens), is about twelve or 

 fourteen inches in length, and of a slender form ; head truncated ; mouth 

 wide ; nostrils round, single, and near the eyes, which are high up, and 

 separated from each other by a groove ; pectoral fins short ; anal long ; 

 rays of all the fins flexible and ramified ; back blackish ; sides and belly 

 silvery ; fins reddish-brown. It is caught on the coast of Carolina, where 

 it is called the Sea Sparrow Hawk, but is not common. 



Other genera of this family : Gasteropelecus, Hatchet-beUy ; Serrasalmo, 

 Serrated Salmon ; Sternoptyx, Folded-chest ; Tetragonopterus, Quadrangular- 

 fins ; and Thymallus, Grayling, 



CLUPEA Herring. This genus has been divided into several subgenera : 

 viz., 1. Herrings proper ; 2. Megalops; 3. Anchovies; 4. Thrissa; and 

 5. Notopterus. 



The Herring (C. Harengus) the Herring of commerce is about ten 

 inches in length, the back of a greenish colour, thick ; the belly of a silver 

 hue, narrow and sharp, and the scales, as they meet each other at its edge, 



forming an irregular surface like the teeth of a saw ; head small, lower 

 jaw the longer of the two ; sixteen or seventeen rays to the anal fin. They 

 are found in the highest northern latitudes, and generally as low down as 

 the northern coasts of France ; in one instance they have been caught in 

 the Bay of Tangier, but never more southward. 



The most remarkable circumstance in the natural history of the Herring, 

 is its annual migration from the Arctic circle towards the south, as it is 

 presumed for the purpose of depositing its spawn, after which it returns to 

 its winter habitation, where ife> food, water-insects and mollusca, are more 

 plentiful. The term Herring is derived from the German word Heer, an 

 army ; and if reference be made to the habits of the fish, no term could 

 probably have been found more apposite ; for the numbers in which they 

 make their appearance is beyond calculation, and their motions are so 

 regular, that they would almost seem to be directed in their course by 

 some experienced guide. 



Herrings are in full roe towards the end of June, and continue in per- 

 fection to the beginning of winter, when they begin to deposit their spawn. 

 The young Herrings make their appearance in shore in July and August, 

 being then from half an inch to an inch in length ; at which time they are 

 called in Yorkshire Herring Sile. What becomes of the Herrings in winter 

 is not well known ; it is certain, however, that the young are not taken 

 during that season, whilst the old Herrings are constantly caught all the 

 year round by the fishermen on the coast. 



GNATHOBOLUS. But one species of this genus is known, G. Spinifer, or 

 G. Aculeatus (Plate 7). It is remarkable for its fine silvery hue, and hence 

 called by the French colonists of Cayenne the Sardine, of which fish, pro- 

 perly so called, it is a rival in the estimation of gourmands. 



PORYPTERUS. These fishes are eatable : they are found in the African 

 rivers. 



Other genera of this family: Chirocentrus, Elops, Erythrinus, Lepi- 

 sosteus, Notopterus, Polypterus, Pristigaster, Thryssa, and Ludis. 



ORDER III. LCEMO-M ALACOPTERYGI A. THROAT-SOFT 



Fixs. 



THE families of this Order have the ventrals under the pectorals, and the 

 pelvis is suspended to the shoulder-bones. 



ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES. 

 PLATE 8. 



Family COD; Gadoida. 



In the Cod family the ventrals, which are pointed, are inserted under the 

 throat. 



Genera. Species. Common Name. 



Gadus .... Morrhua .... Cod-fish. 



Phycis - - - - Mediterraneus - - Mediterranean Fork-beard. 



Family FLAT-FISH ; Pleuranectoida. 



The Flat-fish family have a most unsymmetrical head ; their eyes are on 

 one side, which side is uppermost when they are swimming. 



Platessa - - - - Vulgaris ... - Plaice. 

 Rhombus - - - Megastoma - - - Whiff. 

 Soldi - - - - . Vulgaris - - - - Sole. 



Family SUCKERS; Discobolida. 



The characteristic of the family Discobolida consists in the disc being 

 formed by the ventrals. 



Lepidogaster - - Cornubiensis - - - Cornish Sucker. 

 Echeneis ... Remora - ... Common Remora. 



< IIARACTERS OF THE GENERA. 



1. GADUS. Scales and fins soft; seven round rays to the gills, which 

 are large ; ventral fins attached under the throat, pointed. 



