BONY PIKE, BOW-FIN, STURGEON, REED-FISH, BICHIR 265 



probably caused by the escape 

 of air from the air-bladder. 

 During the breeding-season 

 the male takes entire charge 

 of the eggs. 



The STURGEONS differ 

 from the other fan-finned 

 fishes in many particulars. 



To begin with, the skeleton L 



is almost entirely cartilagi- 

 nous instead of bony, whilst 

 externally the body is either 

 naked or covered with bony 



bucklers, arranged symmetrically. The snout is prolonged into a more or less shovel-shaped 

 beak, used for turning over the mud at the bottom of the water in search of prey, and in 

 some forms this becomes further developed into a spoon-shaped paddle, constituting one of the 

 most remarkable appendages of fishes. 



Sturgeons grow to a large size, and are the largest of the fresh-water fishes of the 

 northern hemisphere. The GlANT STURGEON of the Black and Caspian Seas and the Sea of 



o by A. S. Rudland <&* Sent 



STURGEON 



The air-bladder of the iturgeon is used for making isinglass t its roe for caviare 





Photo fV d> S. Rudland & Sena 



STERLET 



A smaller species of the Sturgeon group 



Azoff attains a length of 24 feet, and sometimes more, specimens of 3,200 Ibs. weight having 



been recorded. 



On account of the wholesomeness of their flesh, sturgeons are highly esteemed wherever 



they are found. In Russian rivers they are very abundant, regular fishing-stations being 



established for their capture. The approach of a shoal of fish is announced by a watchman, 



and it is said as many as 

 15,000 sturgeon have been 

 captured at one of these sta- 

 tions in a single day. Should 

 the fishing be suspended for a 

 short time, the fish assemble 

 in such numbers as to form a 

 solid mass, completely block- 

 ing a river 400 feet in width 

 and 25 feet in depth. 



phmt. A, s. Rud'.and ar&ii. From the roe of these 



BICHIR fishes caviare is made, and 



A second representative of the Enamel-scaled group isinglaSS from the inner lining 



