CHAPTER III. 



THE SCOMBERIDJi:. 



JIN" connection with our food-supplies, it may be 

 assumed that the Scomberidce family among 

 fishes rank next in value and importance to 

 the Gadidse and Clupeidse. They belong to 

 the sub-order Acanthopteri, in the great order of the 

 Teleostei ; an order which includes the larger majority of 

 fishes popularly so called that is, fishes with a well- 

 ossified internal or endo-skeleton. 



The Scomberidae are all distinguished by the smooth- 

 ness of their body, which is covered generally with small 

 scales, and often very richly and brilliantly coloured ; by 

 the largeness of the tail-fin, and the power-fulness and 

 muscularity of the tail. The sides of the tail, it should 

 be remarked, are frequently carinated, or keeled, and 

 armed with sharp-keeled scales. The front spines of the 

 anal fin are usually detached, and sometimes those of the 

 first dorsal fin ; while the second dorsal fin is often re- 

 presented by numerous finlets, as in the mackerel. 



To the Scomberidae, which are all marine, belong the 

 tunny, the mackerel, the sword-fish, the bonito, the alba- 

 core, and the seir-fish. We shall attempt a brief descrip- 



