32 MARINE AND FRESHWATER FISHES 



preserved specimens of the common Mackerel in the Day 

 Collection is an example, No. 34 c, round the body of 

 which, on its first capture, an indiarubber ring had been 

 fastened and the fish returned to the sea ; as subsequently 

 caught and now exhibited, the ring has constricted the 

 body at the point of contact to about one-half its natural 

 girth. No interference with its ordinary vital functions 

 had apparently resulted from this novel experiment in 

 tight lacing. 



Closely allied to the Mackerels, but vastly exceeding 

 them in dimensions, are the various species of Tunnies and 



FIG. 7. — TUNNY (Orcynus thynnus). 



Bonitos. While but occasional visitants to British waters, 

 their capture and preservation, more especially that of the 

 Common or Short-finned Tunny (Orcytins thynnus), No. 36, 

 constitutes one of the most important fishing industries 

 along- the Mediterranean sea-board. A length of from 

 eight to nine feet, with a weight of 500 to I OOO pounds and 

 upwards, are the ordinary dimensions and weights of adult 

 examples of the Common Tunny, though these may be 

 greatly exceeded. The cast of an example of this species, 

 measuring eight feet, captured at Dawlish, Devonshire, is on 

 view in the Buckland Museum. The remaining members 

 of the Mackerel family, that like the Common Tunny are 



