SCOMBER. 305 



lates that one of the Emperors, at an aera of osten- 

 tatious luxury, gave for three surmullets, 30,000 

 sesterces, which is $1065,60 cents. 



The markets in Constantinople are liberally 

 supplied with this fish, under the royal appella- 

 tion of sultan balik. A variety of the surmullet, 

 is found to the south of New York, and sometimes 

 there, which is familiarly known to fishermen as 

 the short mackerel. These are often poisonous, 

 which results, most likely, from the substance on 

 which they have been feeding. The follow- 

 ing notice in a New York paper, of the last sea- 

 son, is confirmatory of this assertion. 



" Families are cautioned against eating a spe- 

 cies of small mackerel which are now selling in our 

 markets. Seven of the writer's family, yesterday 

 morning, were affected in a way which leaves no 

 doubt as to the fact of their having been poisoned. 

 Each individual was variously affected, according 

 to the quantity eaten. The face and whole body 

 became flushed, and in a short time the complex- 

 ion resembled the color of mahogany. The head 

 was also affected, and sickness at the stomach and 

 vomiting succeeded in two or three instances ; in 

 others medicine was administered. The pupils of 

 the eye dilated, and then swam as it were in liquid ; 

 the body also became swollen. No serious con- 

 sequences ensued, though an individual is still con- 

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