32 Teeth in throat. Power of jaw. Chapt. hi. 



of the Mahseer's throat are unusually formidable, and the 

 bones out of which they grow are beautifully formed with 

 a great surface at the back for the muscles to play upon, 

 and that not directly, but with the advantage of a good 

 leyerage. If any blase' individual thinks this "very like 

 a whale", just let him slip a finger down a live Mahseer's 

 throat, and I promise him the luxury of a new sensation. 



The Mahseer has also great power of jaw by means 

 of which he is able at a blow to stun a live fish, and to 

 make up by compression for the absence of the teeth 

 usually found in the mouth of predacious fish. That he 

 makes other use of it also to the detriment of the angler 

 will be found in the next chapter. 



Before closing this chapter it may be convenient for 

 those who are disposed to pursue this subject further if 

 the names of a few books on the natural history of fishes 

 are jotted down. To the beginner I recommend the fol- 

 lowing, which read with interest; he will himself be in a 

 position to know where to look further. 



The Angler-Naturalist, by H. Cholmondely Pennell, 

 Publisher, John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row, London. 

 American Fish Culture, by Thaddeus Norris, Publishers, 

 Sampson Low Son & Co. London. Fish-Culture, by Fran- 

 cis Fracis, Publishers, Routledge, Warne and Routledge, 

 London. 



quite smooth. They are not used for capturing food at all, but for crush- 

 ing it in its passage down the throat. They are supplied with nerves 

 as the fine nerve holes show. The attachment of the muscles to the 

 pharyngeal hones is very apparent, and in keeping with what we know of 

 the power with which they are used. i 



