Marvels of the Universe 



479 



orange-trees. Improved methods of cooking, however, seem to' have changed this, earning for the 

 victim a more glorious end, since it is now described as most excellent eating. 



The general appearance of this magnificent fish can be well seen in our ihustrations. Bearing 

 an unmistakable likeness to a gigantic herring, it differs therefrom not only in the matter of the 

 great scales, but also in the long filament which grows from the hinder margin of the back fin. 

 Yet, closelv examined while still in the flesh, another curious point would be noticed — to wit, 

 the large single plate of bone on the throat, which is found in no other living members of what 

 are called the " bonv " fishes — to distinguish them from sharks, sturgeons, lung-fishes, and so on. 

 The coloration of the bod}- is like that of a herring — blue and silver. 



Until recently, comparatively speaking, but httle was known about the Tarpon, and not the 

 least remarkable fact which a study of its hfe-history has revealed, is that concerning its early 

 period of development. Briefly, there is every reason to believe that Tarpon retreat to the deep 



Photo hij'^ \_J. A. Dimoc'k. 



THE TARPON. 



Though strictly speaking a sea-fish,' it frequently ascends rivers and even enters lakes far inland, drawn thither in the 



chase of the mullet, its favourite food." 



sea to spawn. And this because the young Tarpon enter the world in a " larval," or incomplete 

 state of development, bearing not the least likeness to their parents. On the contrary, they closely 

 resemble the larval stage of the eels, which we have already described in these pages, and, like 

 them, as they grow older they grow smaller — up to a certain point. Then the tide turns ; the 

 frail, anaemic, scaleless morsels become gradually transformed into the giants so eagerly sought 

 by the fisherman. 



This pecuUar larval state is met with in three near relations of the Tarpon — the Ox-eye, the 

 Lady-fish, and the " Ten-pounder," or Elops. But none of these attain the magnificent proportions 

 of the Tarpon. The Ox-eye is an Indian species of about five feet long, and in marked contrast 

 with its larger relative, is most excellent eating, and is, in consequence, kept in ponds or tanks for 

 table purposes. The " Ten-pounder " and the Tarpon frequent the same waters, but another 

 species of the same genus is found along the West Coast of Africa, spending a part of the year, 

 at least, in rivers. 



Though the jaws of the Lady-fish are but feebly armed with teeth, there are large crushing teeth 



