274 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



and size, but is also adorned with great richness and 

 variety of colour. It is in rivers, lakes, and ponds, that 

 this formidable species is to be found. It is never seen 

 but accidentally in the sea, and Rondelet informs us that 

 such as are taken by chance in the mouth of the Rhine, 

 or in salt pools which border the Mediterranean, are dry, 

 and without flavour. In the Forth they are frequently 

 seen in the brackish water ; and are often observed off 

 Stirling Bridge basking in the shallows. They are also 

 found in Duddingston Loch and Lochend, but few in 

 number and of small size. The pike spawns in February 

 and March, and deposits its ova on stones and plants; 

 more than one hundred and forty-eight thousand eggs have 

 been counted in a female of the middle size. " The flesh 

 of the pike is white, firm, savoury, and easy of digestion. 

 It is never very fat, and is, therefore, a suitable aliment for 

 convalescents and other persons who have a weak stomach, 

 especially if it be the flesh of a young fish. Its liver is very 

 good, but its eggs excite nausea, and even violent purging. 

 In some places, it is said, indeed, that their eggs are used 

 as a cathartic."* 



Genus BELONE. — Snout attenuated, greatly prolong- 

 ed ; teeth in both jaws, none on the palatines or tongue ; 

 dorsal and anal fins entire. 



BELONE VULGARIS.t THE GAR-FlSH. 



Specific Characters, — Dorsal fin with seventeen or eighteen rays. 



Description. — From a specimen two feet in length. Body elongat- 

 ed, tapering behind the dorsal and anal fins ; from the tip of the jaws 

 to the posterior margin of the operculum, one-fourth of the whole 



* Encyclopedia Britannica. 



f Belone vulgaris, Cuv., Yarr., Flem. Esox belone, Linn., Jen., Penn., 

 Don. Gar-fish, Sea-pike, Mackerell-guide, Green-bone, Long-nose, Gorebill. 



