166 COMMON STURGEON. Class IV. 



appears from Pliny, who makes it synonymous 

 with the acipenser,* and from another line of 

 the poet beforementioned : 



Et pretiosus Helops nostris incognitus undis. 

 The pretious Helops stranger to our seas. 



Migratory. The sturgeon annually ascends our rivers, 

 but in no great numbers, and is taken by acci- 

 dent in the salmon nets. It seems a spiritless 

 fish, making no manner of resistance when 

 entangled, but is drawn out of the water like a 

 lifeless lump. It is seldom taken far out at 

 sea, but frequents such parts as are not remote 

 from the asstuaries of great rivers. It is admired 

 for the delicacy and firmness of its flesh, which 

 is as white as veal, and extremely good, when 

 roasted. It is generally pickled. Most we 

 receive come either from the Baltic rivers, or 

 from North America: those cured at Pillau 

 have been in the greatest repute, but through 

 the encouragement given by the society insti- 

 tuted for promoting trade and manufactures, 

 the sturgeon from our colonies begins to rival 

 those of the Baltic. 



Great numbers are taken during summer in 

 the lakes Frischehaff, and Curisch-haff near 

 Pillau, in large nets made of small cord. The 



* Quidam eum Ehpem vocant. Lib. ix. c. 17- 



