AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 465 



the reference to St. Peter is entirely gratuitous, is indicated by 

 the fact, that the haddock has never been found in the waters of 

 the country where the miracle really was performed. Moreover, 

 the Sea of Gallilee is a large sheet of fresh water. This fish is as 

 common as cod in the New- York markets, but far inferior as food. 

 In Massachusetts they are often used as manure. I am led to 

 believe, from several experiments, that the haddock is a vivipa- 

 rous fish, and fully develops the embryos in the ovary, which 

 are probably brought forth in a sack. I think the cod is also 

 viviparous, as well as the hake. 



The Pilcharo, {Clupca Pilchardus.) — This fish is a species nearly 

 resembling the common herring, and is better known abroad than 

 in this country. The head is flat, mouth destitute of teeth, abdo- 

 men and sides silvery, back blue, and on each side of the gill 

 covers there is a black spot. These fish make their appearance 

 on the English coasts in immense shoals about the first of July, 

 disappear in October, and re-appear in December. When a school 

 approaches ths shore to spawn, they are surrounded by a seine, 

 and twelve hundred tons, or four thousand three hundred hogs- 

 heads, are often taken at a haul. When landed, they are piled 

 up in cellars, and salted; after remaining about one month in this 

 state, they are cleaned, washed, and packed in large casks, con- 

 taining nearly three thousand fish each. Pressure is then brought 

 to bear, and three and a half gallons of oil are extracted from 

 each cask. Some of these fisheries produce one hundred millions 

 offish per annum. 



The Buffalo Bony Pike {Lepisosteus Bison) is generally confounded 

 with the pickerel, though there is no resemblance between them; 

 their jaws are elongated, and armed with acute, conical teeth, 

 with a second set within them; their backs are dark, and bodies 

 yellowish. 



The Climbing Perch, [Anabas Scandens.) — This is a genus of fishes, 

 the respiratory organs of which are constructed in such a manner 

 as to fit them to live for a long space of time out of their native 

 element. They have a pharyngeal apparatus with wliich they 

 keep their gills moist; if on land, some natuial instinct guides 

 them to water. They are said to be able to climb trees by means 

 [Am. Inst.] 30 



