SPHYR/ENA BARRACUDA.. 125 



The Barracuda is another fish, nearly allied in habit to the com- 

 mon Pike, but of a more slender form, which it is proper to notice 

 on account of its great activity as a poison. It inhabits the tropical 

 seas, and is found in great abundance about the West India Islands, 

 and on the coast of Brazil. According to Catesby, its usual length 

 is from six to eight feet. The head is narrow, oblong, flattened 

 horizontally and compressed on the sides ; the eyes are large ; the 

 mouth very wide, with the under jaw longer than the upper, which 

 is armed with four large teeth placed at the fore part of the jaw, 

 with a row of ten smaller ones next the head ; the upper jaw is also 

 furnished with several large curved teeth. The body is long, and 

 covered with large scales ; the back is of a deep blue colour, the 

 sides pale brown, and the abdomen silvery white. The dorsal fins 

 are two in number; the first, which is six-rayed, situated on the 

 middle of the back, and the second towards the tail, opposite the 

 anal fin. The belly is broad, laterally compressed, and the tail 

 pretty deeply forked. 



The Barracuda is said to be an exceedingly strong, fierce, and 

 dangerous animal, swimming with great celerity, and preying on 

 the smaller fishes. It is even said to attack bathers, and that far 

 from being intimidated by noise or splashing in the water, it is 

 thereby excited to greater fury against its victims. The flesh, which 

 is rank and unpalatable, produces, when eaten, violent tremblings, 

 nausea, vomiting, pains in the joints, falling off of the nails and 

 hair, convulsions, and even death ; yet in spite of these noxious 

 qualities, we are assured by Catesby that the hungry Bahamans 

 frequently make their repast of its unwholesome carcase. 



The colour of the teeth is said to be the best test of the goodness 

 of the fish. When the teeth are black or discoloured no doubt can 

 remain of its poisonous property ; and it is generally received as 

 a fact, that when any of this kind of fish have proved poisonous, 

 they have been found with black or discoloured teeth ; and, on the 

 contrary, that there has seldom been an instance of the white 

 teethed Barracuda being unwholesome. 



