ACANTHOPTERYGm 99 



sions, corked but not leaded, sometimes extending 

 in united length to more than a mile. They are 

 shot in the line of the wind, and are kept tight by 

 the fishing-boat riding from the leeward end, as 

 from her anchor. 



To this genus belongs the Tunny, (S. Thynnus,} 

 often mentioned with honour by the ancients from 

 Aristotle downward. It may be considered as a 

 monstrous Mackarel, often reaching six or seven, 

 and sometimes even nine feet. A specimen taken 

 near Greenock, in 1831, was of this length. Its flesh 

 is highly prized, but, from its great solidity, it par- 

 takes much of the character of meat. Although 

 repeatedly taken on the English coast, it can scarcely 

 be called an English fish, the Mediterranean being 

 its native sea. On the coast of Italy, they are taken 

 in a manner which reminds one of the capture of 

 wild Elephants in Ceylon. Two long and deep nets 

 running parallel to the shore enclose a space, which 

 is divided into square compartments by nets running 

 across from one to the other, leaving however a small 

 communication at one corner of each compartment. 

 The Tunnies, which in their peregrinations keep 

 close alongshore, pursue their way between the 

 inner net and the land, but on coming to the end 

 they are stopped by a net which passes from the 

 great machine to the shore ; turning, they enter 

 the first chamber by a passage left for the purpose, 

 and are gradually driven from one to the other until 

 they reach the last. Here they are killed with much 

 clamour and mirth by men who surround the nets, 



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