2 66 THE BECUNA. 







nearly adult age, when it crosses to the northern side of that sea, and is there found 

 to be of considerable dimensions. 



On account of its size and active habits, the Maigre struggles most powerfully when 

 entangled in the nets, and a fine lively specimen, when lifted into a boat, will flounce 

 about with such activity, and wield its tail with such rapid force, that it will level a 

 human being with a blow. Warned by previous experience, the fishermen take care to 

 quiet their energetic prey by a stroke on the head as soon as it is fairly lifted over the 

 side of the boat. 



The ear-bones of fishes have already been mentioned. In the Maigre they are of 

 very great proportionate dimensions, and in former days were in great repute for their 

 efficacy in charming away the colic, the only proviso being that they must be received 

 as a gift, and not purchased or removed by the sufferer from the head of the fish. 

 The noise made by the Maigre is a kind of purring or grunting, which, when many of 

 these fish are grunting in concert, can be heard at some distance. 



The color of the Maigre is delicate silver-gray, taking a slight brownish tinge on the 

 back, and being very white on the abdomen. The fins are reddish brown, and the 

 ruddy hue is particularly conspicuous in the first dorsal, the pectoral, and anal fins. 

 The lateral line runs parallel with the back. 



The BLACK CORVINA of the Mediterranean (Corvina m'gra), is allied to the maigre, 

 and is scarcely less celebrated than that fish for the excellence of its flesh. 



This fish is not exclusively a marine species, but frequents salt lakes and ponds, and, 

 though it hovers about the mouths of large rivers, probably for the purpose of feeding 

 on the many animal and vegetable substances which are borne by their currents into 

 the sea, does not appear to ascend their streams. In general appearance it is not 

 unlike the maigre, and is often sold in the markets under that name. 



BEFORE leaving the present family, a short notice is due to the SQUETEAGUE, or 

 WEAK-FISH of North America (OtoKthvs regdlis). 



This is another of the noisy fishes, producing dull sounds like those of a drum. It 

 is plentiful about New York, and is captured in large quantities for the table. The 

 name of Weak-fish is attributable to two causes, the one that when hooked it makes 

 but a feeble resistance, and the other that its flesh is popularly supposed to be weaken 

 ing to those who habitually live upon it. It is a useful species, for it not only affords 

 delicate food, but its swimming-bladder can be made into isinglass which is said to be 

 in no way inferior to that of the sturgeon. On account of its spotted skin, the French 

 of New Orleans call it by the name of Trout. 



AN example of the next family, the Polynemidae, may be found in the MANGO-FISH 

 {Polynknus paradiseus), so called on account of its fine golden yellow color, which 

 resembles that of the ripe mango. 



The generic name of Polynemus, or Many-threaded, is given to. this and others of the 

 same group on account of the free thread-like appendages below the pectoral fin. In 

 the present species there are seven of these appendages, the upper being of singular 

 length, passing far beyond the tail. In another species, the MANY-THREADED POLY- 

 NEMUS (Polynemus multifilis), these appendages are fourteen in number. 



Isinglass can also be made from the swimming-bladders of these fish, and as when 

 quite dry one bladder will weigh from half to three-quarters of a pound, the fish might 

 be rendered valuable to commerce. The flesh of the Mango-fish is not particularly 

 excellent when eaten fresh, but when preserved and salted after some peculiar fashion, 

 is in some request at the breakfast-table, where it ranks with caviare and other strongly 

 flavored delicacies. When thus prepared, it is known by the name of "burtah." 



In the Mango-fish, the first filament, is twice the length of the body. 



ONE example of the Sphyraenidae, the family next in order, is the BECUNA, a rather 

 large and tolerably ferocious fish, inhabiting the Mediterranean and many parts of the 

 Atlantic Ocean. 



