J^Z THE COMMON MACKREL. 



half (nine times their own length) in perpendicular 

 height from the surface of the water, and in an 

 oblique direction much farther. 



They spawn in April and June on the aquatic 

 plants ; and are very short-lived, scarcely ever at- 

 taining the third year. They are too small, and 

 perhaps too boney, to be of any essential service as 

 food to mankind ; but in some parts of the Conti- 

 nent they are of considerable use in fattening ducks 

 and pigs. 



THE MACKREL TRIBE. 1 



This tribe have a smooth body, and seven rays 

 in their gill-membrane. Between the dorsal fin and 

 the tail there are several small or spurious fins. 



THE COMMON MACKRELf. 



The Mackrel, when alive, from the elegance of 

 its shape, and the extreme brilliancy of its colours, 

 is by far the most beautiful fish that frequents our 

 coasts. Death in some measure impairs the co- 

 lours, but it by no means obliterates them. 



It visits our shores in vast shoals ; but, from 

 being very tender and unfit for long carriage, is 

 found less useful than other gregarious fish. In 



* Synonyms. — Scomber scomber. Linn. — Mackiell or MacJcareL 

 Will. Icb.——P£nn. Brit. Zool. vol. 3. tab. 51. 



