Class IV. COMMON MACKREL. 359 



that there has been one sold in London that 

 weighed five and a quarter. 



The nose is taper and sharp-pointed; the Descrip- 

 eyes large ; the jaws of an equal length ; the 

 teeth small, but numerous ; the form very ele- 

 gant ; the body is a little compressed on the 

 sides; towards the tail it grows very slender, 

 and rather angular. The first dorsal fin is 

 placed a little behind the pectoral fins; it is 

 triangular, and consists of nine or ten stiff rays ; 

 the second lies at a distance from the other, 

 and has twelve soft rays ; the pectoral twenty ; 

 the ventral six ; at the base of the anal fin is a 

 strong spine ; between the last dorsal fin and 

 the tail, are five small fins, and the same num- 

 ber between the anal fin and the tail. The tail 

 is broad and semilunar. The color of the back 

 and sides above the lateral line, is a fine green, 

 varied with blue, marked with black lines, point- 

 ing downwards ; beneath the line the sides and 

 belly are of a silvery color. It is a most beau- 

 tiful fish when alive; for nothing can equal its 

 brilliancy, which death impairs, but does not 

 wholly obliterate. 



