THE MACKAREL. U5 



it ; for when it has escaped from its enemies of the deep, the 

 tropic-bird, and the albatross, ever upon the wing, are frequently 

 ready to seize it. In the tropical climates, these fishes, when 

 hotly pursued, are seen springing by hundreds out of the water, 

 and sometimes they throw themselves on board of ships, in order 

 to escape their various assailants. We cannot, however, but re- 

 mark, that the all-wise and beneficent Author of Nature, in des- 

 tining this fish to be exposed to the assaults of such a variety of 

 enemies, has endowed it with double powers of escape. 



To this third order of fishes belong the plaice and the flounder, 

 the sole and the turbot, the perch and the tunny ; all furnishing 

 a delicious supply to our tables, and exhibiting, at the same time, 

 a grand display of Nature's prolific energy, and of the benefi- 

 cence of the Creator, in thus amply providing for the comfort- 

 able subsistence of the human species. 



To these, and a great number of others of the same descrip- 

 tion, may be added, the surmulet, so highly valued among the 

 Roman epicures, as we learn both from Horace and Juvenal. 

 In this class, also, must be reckoned the mackarel, so much 

 esteemed, on account of the rich and wholesome nutriment which 

 it affords. 



THE MACKAREL 



Is, when alive, a beautiful fish, and all its colours are brilliant ; 

 but their lustre fades as soon as it is drawn out of its native 

 element. This fish furnished the precious garum of the Romans, 

 a sort of pickle, which gave a high relish to sauces, and was 

 likewise supposed to possess some medicinal powers. Among 

 them, therefore, the fish that produced it was held in high es- 

 timation. 



Mackarel visit the British and American coasts in numerous 

 shoals, during the summer season. They are easily caught with 

 a bait ; and a bit of white paper, or red rag, will answer that 

 purpose. Although they cannot be preserved fresh in distant 

 carriage, they furnish a supply of excellent food to those who 

 can have them by a ready conveyance. They are salted and laid 

 up for winter provision, in vast quantities. 



THE ABDOMINALES, 



Or fourth order of spinous fishes, have the ventral fins placed 

 behind the pectoral, in the abdomen ; and from this characteristic 

 the appellation is derived. This division includes seventeen 

 genera, and about one hundred and thirty species. 



To this numerous class belong the carp, the roach, the tench, 

 and a variety of others, which furnish copious supplies of excel 

 lent food, among which may be numbered the anchovy, so plen- 



