ACANTHOPTERYGII. 95 



by the Chinese in vases, as we keep Gold-fishes, for 

 the amusement of witnessing this feat. A fly is fas- 

 tened at some distance, at which the fish shoots, but, 

 disappointed of course, and wondering that its prey 

 does not fall, it goes on to repeat the discharge for 

 many times in succession, without seeming to take in 

 a fresh stock of ammunition, and scarcely ever miss- 

 ing the mark, though at a distance of three or four 

 feet.* 



FAM. VII. SCOMBRID.E. 



This rather extensive family is among the most 

 useful to man, from the large size which many of 

 them attain, the delicate flavour and nutritious 

 quality of their flesh, and their immensely swarm- 

 ing fertility, affording occupation to thousands of 

 hardy and industrious men in their capture and 

 sale. Most of them are distinguished for the ele- 

 gance of their shape, generally tapering to a point at 

 each extremity, and thickening with a graceful curve 

 to the middle. They have a smooth body, with 

 small and close scales, and a tail possessed of great 

 breadth and power. 



Scomber^ the Mackarel. 



Few fishes are more worthy of admiration than 

 the Mackarel, whether we regard the chaste and 



* See Phil. Trans, pp. 110, 321. 



o;, skombros, the Greek name of the genus. 



