THE BLUE-nSH. 163 



CHAPTEE XI. 



THE BLUE-FISH. 



Temnodon Saltator — Scomler Plumbeus (Mitchill) — 

 Horse Mackerel — Oreerv-fish of Virginia — Skij^ack of 

 South Carolina. 



This fish belongs to the mackerel family ; it has pro- 

 jecting teeth in the fore part of the jaws, and velvety 

 teeth on the roof of the mouth and tongue. The first dor- 

 sal lies in a furrow, and there are two minute spines con- 

 cealed under the skin before the anal. The scales extend 

 over the head, gill-covers and high on the fins ; the back 

 is bluish-green, and the sides and 'abdomen lighter ; th% 

 pectorals, second dorsal and tail are greenish-brown, 

 while the ventrals and anal are white, tinged with blue. 

 The gill-cover has two indistinct flat points. The fin- 

 rays are as follows, the spines being distinguished from 

 the soft rays. 



D. Y.1.25 ; P. 17 ; Y. 1.6 ; A. 1.27 ; 0. 19| 



These fish furnish one of the most remarkable instances 

 of the appearance and disappearance of species on our 

 coast. As in our day, with the Spanish mackerel, that 

 darling of the gourmand, so in former times, the blue-fish 

 appeared suddenly. He was first seen on the coast of 

 Massachusetts in 1764, and then not again till 1792 ; and 

 it is only since the year 1830 that he has been abundant. 



