FLYING-FISHES. 87 



New Zealand, and of the southern extremity of South America. 

 They are scaleless. The number of species is small, but in Tas- 

 mania and New Zealand they form almost the whole of the Fresh- 

 water-Fish fauna. They rarely exceed a length of eight inches, 

 but are well-flavoured. The fry is eateii in New Zealand, and 

 known as " White-bait." 



The Mormyrida (Case 22) are a type peculiar to the fresh waters 

 of tropical Africa. The genus Mormyrus is numerous in species, 

 some of which attain to a length of four feet. Many are remark- 

 able for their long and decurved snout. The common species of the 

 Nile (Mormyrus oxyrhynchus) was an object of veneration to the 

 ancient Egyptians, and therefore frequently occurs in their 

 emblematic inscriptions. Another member of this family is Gym- 

 narchus niloticus, of eel-like habit and growing to a length of six 

 feet. 



The Esocidae (Case 22), or Pike, are inhabitants of the fresh 

 waters of the temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and America. The 

 European species (E. lucius) inhabits all three continents. Very 

 large specimens are called " Muskellonge " in America. An old 

 painting of a large Pike is exhibited, which^ according to the legend, 

 was caught in the year 1230 by the Emperor Frederick II., marked 

 with an inscribed ring, and caught again after the lapse of more 

 than two centuries. 



Fig. 74. 



Flying-fish (Exoccetus spilopterus). 



The ScombresocidfB (Case 22) are chiefly marine. The Gar-pike 

 (Belone) have both jaws prolonged into a long slender beak. The 

 most curious members of this family are the Flying-fishes (Exocce- 

 tus, fig. 74), of which numerous species are known from tropical 



