120 CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 



508. What is the external character of the Spring Mackerel, and 

 where is it found ? 



509. What is the number and value of the Mackerel taken in 1848? 



510. How was the Mackerel esteemed by the ancient Romans? 



SECTION XXXI. 



6th Order — Abdominal Fishes : {Abdomindles.) 



\ 511. To this Order belong all those fish which have 

 the ventral behind the pectoral fins ; as the Cat-fish, Sal- 

 mon, Trout, Pike, Herring, Shad, common Flying-fish, 

 Carp, and several others. 



\ 512. The Salmon (Salmo Salar) is sometimes two 

 feet long ; bluish-black, tinged with gray above, silvery 

 white beneath, and with dark spots distributed over the 

 body. It is found in the northern seas of America and 

 Europe, and ascends the rivers in summer. 



§ 513. The flesh of the Salmon is eaten fresh, as well 

 as smoked. The women of the Tungooses, in Siberia, 

 have the art of tanning its skin in such a way as to be 

 flexible, for the purpose of clothing. 



§ 514. The Herring (Clupea Harengus) is a very im- 

 portant fish in North America, and especially in the nor- 

 thern parts of Europe. Its great and regular migrations 

 during the summer along the coasts have given employ- 

 ment to many thousand people. It is a valuable article 

 of commerce, pickled or smoked, and is sometimes used 

 also as manure. 



5 515. The American Shad (Alosa praestabilis) is one 

 foot or more in length, has a dark bluish head and back, 

 and greenish sides. It is found in the beginning of spring 

 in the rivers of North America, whither it comes from 

 the southern seas to deposit its spawn. They descend 

 at the end of May. 



§ 516. The Shad is a favorite dish in the months of 

 March and April, and many towns of the Union carry 



