CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 115 



§ 486. The flesh of the Sturgeon is another considerable 

 article of commerce. It is smoked or broiled in slices, and 

 pickled, and in this form exported. It is fat, and so pal- 

 atable, that it was considered by the ancient Romans as 

 one of the most sumptuous dishes ; and at all great din- 

 ner-parties this fish was always carried by servants, 

 crowned with garlands and flowers, and accompanied by 

 a band of musicians. 



5 487. The swimming-bladder of the Sturgeon is also 

 turned to a profitable use : cut open and washed, and its 

 silvery glutinous skin exposed to the sun for some hours, 

 and separated from the external skin, which is of no use, 

 it furnishes the valuable and extensive article of com- 

 merce, known by the name of Isinglass. 



5 488. Hundreds of thousands of Sturgeons could be 

 taken every year in the rivers of the United States. 

 James river, the Potomac, the Delaware, and especially 

 the Kennebec, as well as the larger rivers of all the East- 

 ern and Northern States, (which they ascend from 300 to 

 500 miles,) abound with them. 



§ 489. The principal species of the Sturgeon are : The 

 Common Sturgeon (Accipenser Sturio) of the European 

 seas and rivers ; The Sterlet (Accipenser Ruthenus) of the 

 Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian seas ; The Lake Stur- 

 geon, (Accipenser rubicundus,) of a yellowish-red on the 

 back, olivaceous-red on the sides, found in Lakes On- 

 tario and Erie, and the upper lakes ; The Short-nosed 

 Sturgeon, (Accipenser brevirostris,) found in all the rivers 

 of the United States ; and The Sharp-nosed Sturgeon, 

 (Accipenser oxyrhincus,) found also in all the rivers of the 

 United States. 



QUESTIONS ON SECT. XXVII. 



§ 481. What fishes belong to the second Order? 



§ 482. What is the external character of the Sturgeon? 



§ 483. What do you know of the size and food of the Sturgeon ; and 

 •where is it found ? 



§ 484. When and why does the Sturgeon ascend the rivers, and what 

 number of eggs does it produce ? 



§ 485. What use is made of the eggs of the Sturgeon ? 



§ 486. What use is made of the flesh of the Sturgeon, and in what 

 was it among the ancient Romans? 



