ICHTHYOLOGY. 



All the species of this genus are elegant in their form, 

 finely variegated in colour, and rapid in their move- 

 menu. Their flesh is excellent. This in some changes 

 to a fine red upon boiling, in others it continues white. 



GENUS CLXXX1I. OSMERUS. Smeli. 



First dorsal fin farther removed from the head than 

 the ventral fins. 



The character by which this genus is distinguished 

 from the preceding is so unimportant, that we are at a 

 loss to account for the older naturalists being disposed 

 to separate them. The genus contains six species. The 

 O. eperknus, or common smelt, is well known. The 

 other species are natives of warmer countries. 



GENUS CLXXXIII. COREOONUS. 



Teeth in the Jaws none, or very small 



Twenty species are described by La Cepede. They 

 were included by Linnwus in the genus Salmo. The 

 C. lararetiu, or gwiniad, is sought after on account of 

 its flesh, which is white and tender. They die very 

 soon after they are taken, and hence it is very difficult 

 to translate them. The C. thymalhis, or grayling, is like- 

 wise another species sought after as food. Its flesh is 

 firm, white, and pleasant to the taste, but considered as 

 difficult to digest. The eggs, or spawn of the C. mi- 

 gratornu, are eaten in Siberia, its native country. The 

 irtmanni. a native of the Swedish lakes, is either 

 eaten in a fresh state, when it it considered as excel- 

 lent, or ashed and carried to a distance. At the age of 

 three yean, it is sometimes seised with a distemper 

 which gives it a red colour. 



Gwus( I.XXXIV. CIIARUIMS. 

 '-flap consisting of four rays, or more. 

 Generic characters, so vague and trivial as those by 

 which the three preceding genera are distinguished, in- 

 dicate the imperfect state of the science. Sixteen spe- 

 cies are described by La Cepede. The first of these is 

 the C piabum, so named from its provincial name in 

 Brazil, although termed by Gmelin and others argenti- 

 nus. It is a native of the middle parts of America, in- 

 habiting riven. It is easily taken with a hook. Its 

 flesh is white ami palatable The C. bimaculatus, found 

 in the riven of Amboyna and Surinam, is likewise re- 

 markable for the whiteness and delicacy of its fleth. 

 All the species indeed bear so close a resemblance to 

 the salmon, that they might have continued under the 

 , and in separate section, with advantage 



707 



tion of 



Fishes. 



GKUS(l.\\\\ 



Under part of the belly carinated, and notched like a 

 *aw. 



The S. rhombeus is the only known species. It is a 

 native of the rivers of Surinam, and was first described 

 by Pallas. It is said to attain to a considerable size. 

 In thape it bean some resemblance to the Chanodons. 

 It is said to be very voracious, and that it will attack 

 ducks which happen to be swimming on the water Its 

 flash is white, firm, and fat, and held in great rstima 

 lion. The fish u of a reddish tinge with black points ; 

 the sides are silvery, and the fins grey. 



i \\XVI. ELOM. 



flan of thirty rays or more ; eyes approaching ; 

 fin ; a scaly appendage near each ventral 



frill flan 

 dorsal 



Saurus maximum of Sloane, now Elops saurus, 

 is the only known species. It is found in Jamaica, 

 where it in called the Sein Fish, or Sea Gaily Wasp. 

 In its general appearance, it approaches the common 

 pike. The tail is much forked, and armed both above 



and below by a strong spine, forming a first or spiny 

 ray on each sitle of the tail. In the specimen exami- 

 ned by Bloch, no spinous ray in the caudal fin could 

 be perceived. Dr Shaw, however, observed it in a fine 

 specimen preserved in the British Museum. 



GENUS CLXXXVII. MEGALOPS. 



Eyes large ; gill- flap of at least twenty-four rays. 



The M. Jilamentosus, brought from Madagascar by 

 Commerson, is the only species yet discovered. The 

 rays in the gill-flap are singularly numerous. The last 

 ray of the dorsal fin extends backwards in the form of 

 a long filament. The species bears a near resemblance 

 to the preceding. 



GENUS CLXXXVIII. NOTACANTHUS. 



Body and tail lengthened; the nape raised, and anal 

 and caudal fins united; spines in place of a dorsal fin. 



The Acanthonotus of Bloch, is the only known spe- 

 cies. It grows to nearly three feet in length. It is a 

 native of the East Indies, and is said to be remarkably 

 active in all its motions, and exceedingly voracious. 



GENUS CLXXXIX. Esox PIKE. 



Opening of the mouth large; jaws with strong teeth; Pikc< 

 snout depressed; dorsal and anal fins short, nearly equi- 

 ili-t;mt from the head. 



This genus contains nine species, which are divided 

 according to the form of the tail into two sections. 

 The common Jiike, E. lucius, now common in the lakes 

 and rivers of Europe, is a strong active voracious fish> 

 and is not unfrequently compared to a shark. It preys 

 indiscriminately on young fish, serpents, frogs, and the 

 young of aquatic birds. Its flesh is held in some esti- 

 mation, and is used either fresh, salted, or smoked. 

 The eggs or spawn are formed into a sort of caviar, 

 which is not considered as wholesome. When castrat- 

 ed, pikes are said to become speedily fat. The E. be- 

 lonr, or gar-fish, is an inhabitant of the sea, and ap- 

 proaches the shore to spawn. It is considered as the 

 forerunner of the mackrel. The bones become green 

 on being boiled. The flesh is dry and insipid. The 

 E. gladius, which is common to the shores of Asia and 

 America, furnishes a pleasant and wholesome food, and 

 is easily obtained. It multiplies very rapidly. 



GENUS CXC. SvNonus. 



Dorsal and ventral fins nearly equidistant from the 

 head ; body and tail lengthened and compressed. 



This genus contains five species, distributed into two 

 sections, from the form of the tail. The only specie 

 of importance in an economical point of view, is the 

 S. Malabaricus. It was inserted in the genus Esox by 

 Bloch. It lives in the rivers on the coast of Malabar. 

 Its flesh is white and palatable. 



GENUS CXCI. SPHYR.ENA. 



Two dorsal fins; opening of the mouth large. 



The number of the dorsal fins furnishes a very ob- 

 vious character, by which this genus may be distin- 

 guished from Esox, with which it was formerly uni- 

 ted. Five species are described by La Cepede. The 

 first of these, termed by him S. spet, the Esox sphy. 

 rcna of Linna-us, has been known to naturalists since 

 the days of Aristotle. It is found in the Mediterranean 

 sea, and likewise in the Atlantic ocean. The flesh is 

 white, easy to digest, and resembles in flavour the coil. 

 It grows to upwards of two feet in length. The re- 

 maining species are new, and described from the draw- 

 ings of Plumier. 



GENUS CXCII. LEPtsosTEUs. Garfish. 

 Body covered with osseous scales; one dorsal fin, Grfi*h. 

 more distant from the head than the ventral fins. 



