ICHTHYOLOGY. 59 



the tail is deeply forked, and a long pointed spine 

 springs from the middle of the fork, of a substance 

 like whalebone. It is found in Brazil, and another 

 species in China. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Of Soft Finned Abdominal Fish (continued}. 



Q. WHAT species compose the genus Esox ? 



A. Of the genus Esox there are nine species, of 

 which the principal are 1. Lucius ; 2. Sphyraena. 



Q. What is the Lucius ? - 



A. Esox Lucius, or common Pike, is a native 

 of almost all the rivers of Europe, but the largest 

 are those of Lapland, which sometimes exceed 

 eight feet in length. The head of this fish is very 

 flat, the upper jaw shorter than the lower, which 

 turns up a little at the end; the teeth are nume- 

 rous and sharp, covering the roof of the mouth 

 and sometimes the tongue; it is of a pale olive grey 

 colour, the abdomen white. 



Q. What are the peculiar habits of this fish ? 



A. It is the most voracious of all river fish, at- 

 tacking not only its own species, but even seizing 

 on animals that come to drink at the river. Many 

 stories are told of the boldness of this fish, and 

 that it will sometimes seize the legs of bathers who 

 may happen to approach it. It is said to live to a 

 great age. 



