326 



SPINY-FINNED FISHES. 



they are hurled at the helpless fishes. All eyes are sparkling, all 

 lips are uttering cries of triumph, clamour, and encouragement, the 

 waters are dyed red with blood, the dying lie heaped together in 

 vast multitudes, and the result is that 500 or 600 Tunnies are thus 

 butchered in one "tonnara." The flesh of the Tunny is much 

 esteemed ; it resembles beef, and is preserved either by the aid of 

 salt/ or by boiling and immersing it in oil. 



The Bonito ( Scomber pelamys*), celebrated on account of its pursuit 

 of the flying-fishes in the tropics, is a kind of Tunny it may be 



FIG. 253. BOXITO 



recognized by the longitudinal brown stripes with which the belly 

 is marked. 



The Sword Fishes (Xiphias]* are distinguished by their beak, or 

 sword-like nose, which is often fifteen feet in length. This fish is 



FIG. 254. SWORD-: 



more common in the Mediterranean than in the Atlantic. The 

 flesh, which is white and compact, is delicate. It -is often taken with 

 the harpoon. 



Another tribe, called Centronotus,f is characterized by the absence 

 of the membrane that unites the rays of the first dorsal fin, which 

 consequently remain free. Among other fishes belonging to this 

 tribe is 



The Pilot Fish (Naucratesl or Scomber ductor], so called from its 

 habit of following vessels to seize anything that may be thrown 

 overboard, and also the habit attributed to it of conducting the 

 Shark, which, directed by the same instinct, frequently accompa- 

 nies vessels at sea with great perseverance. It has somewhat the 



* i</>os, xiphos, a sword. 



f /ceVrpo*', centron, a sharp point ; x/wros, notos, the back. 



J ravKpaTTis, naucrates, commanding the sea. 



