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NATURAL HISTORY. 



vulgaris) ranges round the Northern shores of Europe. The species extend down both the 

 Atlantic coast of Africa and the Red Sea, abound in the Indian and Chinese Seas and Indian 

 Archipelago, reaching to Australia on the one hand, and by way of the Sandwich Islands 

 to the Californian coast, on the other. This genus is characterised by a slender, elongated body, which 

 has the jaws prolonged into a slender beak; but in the young the jaws are short, and the pre- 

 maxillary bones, like the lower jaw, become lengthened as the fish reaches maturity. Both 

 jaws are armed with bands of minute teath, and larger conical teeth, which are widely 

 separated, though certain species , have no teeth on the palate. Among such may be mentioned 

 the Belone canciloides, from the rivers of Borneo. 



OAK FISH. 



The Garfish (Belone vulgaris) is often taken with the Mackerel, in advance of which it 

 usually swims. It is plentiful all along the English Channel in spring, and occurs on most 

 parts of the British coasts. The majority of the fish retire in the winter into deep water. 

 The species is extremely active, swims near to the surface, and takes the bait readily. 

 Couch records that it often feeds on a black fly, which alights on the sea in fine weather, 

 the stomach being sometimes filled with it. It also feeds on the Herring, but the stomach 

 is only large enough to hold one at a time. It is largely used for bait. When newly- 

 caught it has a disagreeable odour ; the flesh has much the flavour of Mackerel, but is drier. Full- 

 grown specimens vary from two feet to two feet six inches in length, but the body is only one 

 inch and a half deep. The head and back are of a dark bluish-green tint, becoming paler 

 at the sides, and brilliant white on the belly. The ventral fin is about midway between 

 the operculum and the tail; the dorsal and anal fins are similar to each other, and near to 

 the caudal fin. The caudal fin is forked. The body is covered with small scales, which 

 are very thin. The upper jaw, as in many birds, has a jointed union with the skull. The 

 bones of the Garfish are green. 



