144. PHYSOSTOMI. 



Mr. Southwell informs me (on the authority of the agent of the estate) that when 

 Scoulton Mere, in Norfolk, was cleared out they put in some young pike of about 

 ■§- to 1 lb. each : after ten or twelve years they had increased to 18 lb. Stoddart 

 considered that two-year-old fish were from 3 to 5 lb. weight. In some waters 

 they will rapidly attain to a certain size, subsequent to which their further increase 

 is slow. Perhaps in open waters it is not an unsafe estimate of 1 lb. yearly for the 

 first two years, and afterwards ].■§■ to 2 lb. for seven or eight years, and subsequently 

 at a less rapid rate. Growth does not always correspond with the amount of food 

 received ; such as are well fed in aquaria do not appear to increase so rapidly as 

 such as are in the open waters. 



The age to which this fish attains has been variously estimated : Lord Bacon 

 placed the limit of its existence at about forty years. Ryaczynski adduces an 

 instance in which there were reasons for believing that a pike was ninety years 

 old. But if we go back to tradition we are told this fish lives for centuries. 

 It is stated that a pike was captured in 1610 in the Meuse bearing a copper ring on 

 which the name of the city of Stavern was engraved with the date 1448. While a 

 still more incredible account is given how Frederick II, in October, 1230, inserted 

 a brass ring into the gills of a pike bearing a suitable inscription, and that this fish 

 was recaptured 267 years subsequently 17 or 19 ft. long and weighing 5501b. The 

 skeleton was preserved in the Cathedral at Mannheim, but on its being examined 

 by a German anatomist, it was found that the length of its vertebral column was 

 obtained by using the bones of several fish. 



Diseases. — Valenciennes mentions having an example taken in the autumn of 

 a pale white, the whole of the body being covered with red spots somewhat 

 resembling small-pox. It is tormented with parasites. 



As food. — Opinions differ as to its value, possibly due to the character of the 

 flesh for good or for bad being influenced by the waters in which it resides. Those 

 from rivers have a white firm flesh, are easy of disgestion, and as a rule superior to 

 the pond ones, while even various localities, due to local circumstances, affect the 

 character of the fish. Those from the Thames are firm and of good flavour, like- 

 wise those from the mouth of the Medway, where they find plenty of smelts, also 

 those from Horsea Mere and Heigham Sound, and Stoddart praises very highly 

 those of the Teviot. Those from Scotch lochs and muddy waters are not generally 

 approved of, being more or less soft, slimy, and disagreeable both in taste and 

 smell. In Ireland it is not esteemed during February and March while spawning, 

 but Stoddart observes that in Scotland they are considered by many epicures as 

 finest in condition when full of roe. The roe is said occasionally to produce 

 vomiting, purging, and other deleterious symptoms, while Linnaeus saw it being 

 made into bread at Lyksele, in Lapland. 



As soon as a pike of a suitable size has been taken it should be disembowelled 

 and cleaned, while it will be improved by being crimped like a cod. Large fish 

 are coarse. The upper or back part is not edible unless the bones are removed by 

 an expert cook. Boiled, it is insipid ; stewed, with spices and a bottle of good 

 old crusted port, it becomes passable ; stuffed and baked, it is perhaps a trifle 

 better ; filleted, it is almost nice. 



Uses. — Its jaw-bones in olden times were recommended to be powdered and 

 given in pleurisy, gravel, stone in the bladder, and other diseases. In some 

 countries it is salted and dried. The heart and galls were used as medicines for 

 agues and other fevers, and the latter likewise for affection of the eyes. Its roe 

 used to be prescribed as an emetic. As the bones of the head form a sort of 

 cross, such have been worn as a preventative against witchcraft. In some parts 

 of Hungary and Bohemia it is considered an unlucky omen to see a pike plunge 

 in stagnant waters before mid-day. Its bite is hard to be cured, being a punctured 

 and jagged wound. 



Habitat. — From Scandinavia throughout the continent of Europe and the 

 northern portions of Asia and America, Rondeletius observes that it enters the 

 sea at the mouth of the Rhine, and is found in salt water pools bordering the 

 Mediterranean, but that such fish are dry and insipid food. 



