128 



VERTEBRATES : FISHES. 



much extended, forming a powerful and dangerous 

 weapon, with which it attacks Whales and other large 

 animals of the sea. The Bluefish is found in nearl)' 

 all seas, and makes excellent food. The Dolphin lives 

 in the Mediterranean, and in the Atlantic, and is cele- 

 brated for its beautiful colors, and for the brilliant tints 

 which it has when d3'ing. The Surgeon has a sharp 

 spine or lancet on the side of its tail ; it lives in the 

 sea. Mullets are small fishes which live in the sea, and 

 in fresh waters. Eelpouts are long, somewhat eel- 

 shaped fishes, which the fishermen catch when fishing 

 for Cod. The Goosefish of the Atlantic, is large, some- 

 times A\'eighing seventy pounds, and has such a big 

 mouth that it swallows fishes almost as large as itself. 

 Gulls and other sea birds are often found whole in its 

 stomach. The Toadfish, of the Atlantic, is about a 



Fig. 205. — Toadfish. 



Fig. 206. — Conner. 



foot long, and seems to care for its 3'oung. The Conner 

 is very abundant on the coast of New England. 



Soft-finned Fishes. 



These Fishes have no spines in their fins. They are 

 the Carp, Dace, Shiners, Suckers, Pike, Pickerel, Gar- 

 fishes of the sea. Flying Fishes, Salmon, Herring, Cod, 

 Eels, etc. 



The Common Shiner, found in most ponds, lakes, and 

 rivers, is from three to si.x inches long, and of a golden 

 color. The l^ickerel, so ^\'ell known in the fresh waters, 



