CHAPTER V. 



MISCELLANEOUS FISHES. 



THE SPANISH MACKEREL, 



Scomber maculatis (Mitckill). 



WITHOUT a doubt the most beautiful fish, both in form 

 and color, that swims either in salt or fresh water. The 

 dolphin when dying exhibits a greater variety of intensely 

 beautiful colors, and therein its celebrity lies ; but when first 

 taken from its native element, this subject of our discourse 

 is unsurpassed for its rich colors of blue, white, gold, and 

 purple, transcends anything ever beheld in the animal king- 

 dom, and reigns triumphant as the gem of the ocean. 



" But here description clouds each shining ray ; 

 What claims of art can Nature's power display ? " 



In form the Scomber maculatis resembles its congener the 

 bonita, except that it is much narrower, longer, and more 

 graceful in its proportions. It is a well-known Southern fish, 

 and is described by Dr. Mitchill as coming on the coast of 

 New York in the month of July. Color back, a dark blue, 

 blending into a magnificent purple, shading into a light, 

 dove-color, and thence into a beautiful satin-white ; chin, 



