BONY PIKE, BOW-FIN, STURGEON, REED-FISH, BICHIR 265 
probably caused by the escape ' 
of air from the air-bladder. | 
During the breeding-season 
the male takes entire charge 
of the eggs. 
The STURGEONS differ 
from the other fan-finned 
fishes in many particulars. 
To begin with, the skeleton | ] 
is almost entirely cartilagi- Phato by A, 8. Rudland & Sons 
nous instead of bony, whilst STURGEON 
externally the body is either The air-bladder of the sturgeon is used for making isinglass, its roe for caviare 
naked or covered with bony 
bucklers, arranged symmetrically. The snout is prolonged into a more or less shovel-shaped 
beak, used for turning over the mud at the bottom of the water in search of prey, and in 
some forms this becomes further developed into a spoon-shaped paddle, constituting one of the 
most remarkable appendages of fishes. 
Sturgeons grow to a large size, and are the largest of the fresh-water fishes of the 
northern hemisphere. The GIANT STURGEON of the Black and Caspian Seas and the Sea of 
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sens 
STERLET 
A smaller species of the Sturgeon group 
Azoff attains a length of 24 feet, and sometimes more, specimens of 3,200 lbs. weight having 
been recorded. 
On account of the wholesomeness of their flesh, sturgeons are highly esteemed wherever 
they are found. In Russian rivers they are very abundant, regular fishing-stations being 
established for their capture. The approach of a shoal of fish is announced by a watchman, 
and it is said as many as 
15,000 sturgeon have been 
captured at one of these sta- 
tions inasingle day. Should 
the fishing be suspended for a 
short time, the fish assemble 
_ in such numbers as to form a 
| solid mass, completely block- 
| ing a river 400 feet in width 
a | and 25 feet in depth. 
Photo by A. 8. Rudland & Sons From the roe of these 
BICHIR fishes caviare is made, and 
A second representative of the Enamel-scaled group isinglass from the inner lining 
