THE THUNNY. J^fi 



the Mackrel are preserved by means of pickling 

 and salting. 



Their greatest weight seldom exceeds two 

 pounds, though some have been seen that weighed 

 more than five. Their voracity has scarcely any 

 bounds ; and when they get among a shoal of her- 

 rings they make such havoc as frequently to drive it 

 away. They are very prolific, and deposit their 

 spawn among the rocks near the shore, about the 

 month of June. They die almost immediately after 

 they are taken out of the water, and for a short time 

 exhibit a phosphoric light. 



In spring their eyes are covered with a white 

 film, that grows in the winter, and is regularly cast 

 at the beginning of summer. During this time 

 they are said to be nearly blind. 



The celebrated Gai-vm of the Romans was a pic- 

 kle prepared from this fish. 



THE THUNNY *. 



The Thunny was a fish so well known to the 

 ancients as to form one of the great articles of their 

 commerce. It is found in most seas, and is from 

 two to ten feet long. The body is round and thick, 

 and tapers nearly to a point both at the head and 

 tail. The skin of the back is very thick and black, 

 and that of the sides and belly silvery, tinged with 



• Synonyms.— Scomber thynnus. Linn. — Albicore. Var.— Mack- 



rel-sture, or Great Mackrel, in Scotland. Tunny Fish, or Spanish 



Mackrel. Will. Ich p em , Brit. Zool. vol. 3. tab. 52. 



