SCOMBER. 301 



this with the facts, that in the early part of May, 1829, in 

 about 19° north lat. and 48° west long., I passed a large shoal 

 swimming to the northwest, and their making their first ap- 

 pearance on our coast to the southward, I am inclined to be- 

 lieve that in lieu of going to the northward on the approach of 

 winter, as generally imagined, they on the contrary quit our 

 seas for those of a more temperate clime. 



Again, is not their extreme leanness when first appearing 

 with us, a natural consequence of their long and fatiguing 

 passage ? I am wholly ignorant whether they have been 

 seen in more southern climates, except in the instance I have 

 mentioned, but if they have not, I think it may be reasonably 

 supposed that they swim deep to avoid the havoc which would 

 otherwise be committed in their ranks by the fishes of prey, 

 which in those seas abound near the surface. 



How far the facts stated justify such an inference, you are 

 the best judge ; they are certainly singular and novel ; — it 

 is to be lamented that in general, those who have the most 

 frequent opportunities of investigation, are apt to regard such 

 occurrences as hardly worthy of notice ; as a habit of ob5erva- 

 tion and remark, would no doubt be the means of elucidating 

 many doubtful or disputed points. 



And now, requesting your indulgence for this long and I 

 fear tedious letter, my only excuse for which, is the motive 

 with which it was written. 



I remain, very respectfully, your obt. servant. 



Jos. P. Cotjthout. 



I will just add, though you are already, perhaps, aware of 

 it, that the male dolphin may be easily distinguished from the 



ved up at Wilson and Swan's Hotel, on Sunday. A delicious 

 dish it was." 



We are told, but on what authority we are totally unable to 

 divine, that the mackerel has a strong predilection for hu- 

 man flesh. In the Mediterranean, the famous article called 

 caviare is manufactured from the roes. 



