302 CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES. 



equally unique in its own class, where the mouth is 

 similarly constructed : in Rhyncops, or the skimming 

 terns, the upper jaw, in fact, is considerably shorter than 

 the lower * and these birds skim along the surface of 

 the sea to feed upon those minute animals, which are 

 only to be found there : this well-authenticated fact, 

 which we have elsewhere enlarged upon, throws consi- 

 derable light upon the probable habits of these fishes, 

 which every induction of reason leads us to believe 

 habitually feeds much in the same manner, and on the 

 same description of animals — that is, on such as float 

 upon, or swim very near to, the surface. 



(252.) Quitting the gar-fish for the present, we pass 

 to the fluviatile pikes, to which belongs the well-known 

 fish of that name (Esox lucius Linn.), so common in our 

 lakes and ponds. The boldness and voracity of this 

 fish is proverbial ; it not only gorges itself with all others 

 that it can swallow, but attacks other animals, as if from 

 mere savageness, or as if, accustomed to overcome and 

 devour every other fish that it was in the habit of 

 encountering, it had lost the instinct of discrimination. 

 Mr. Yarrell has collected several remarkable instances 

 in proof of this, to which we must refer the reader. 

 It has been known not only to seize ducks, water hens 

 {Fulica), and other aquatic birds, but even to make 

 unprovoked attacks upon man, and retain its hold with 

 all that pertinacity which would seem as if it could 

 conquer and devour a being ten or twenty times larger 

 than itself. There is a story, often repeated, told by 

 Gesner, that a pike was once caught at Heilbrun, in 

 Germany, which had a brass ring attached to it, inti- 

 mating that it was put into the lake in the year 1230 ; 

 so that, being captured in 1497, it must have been 26? 

 years old. One would have been incredulous on this 

 subject, but Gesner further asserts that the skeleton, 

 nineteen feet in length, was long preserved at Manheim 

 as a great curiosity. It would be well worth the trouble 

 of inquiry, of any fragments of this gigantic monster are 



