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mackarel. 
itself It is sometimes laid hold of by the sharp claws of the 
nipper crab, (Polyhius HenslotoiiJ a species indeed of great 
activity, and which swims near the surface, and is prepared 
to seize any of the fishes which are there, until by the mere 
fatigue of terror, it causes them to yield to their fate. It 
is also the frequent victim of the sea lamprey, which by a 
circular action of its teeth, bores into the flesh, and devours 
the energies of its prey. I have known several instances of 
a lamprey of no more than six inches in length to be thus 
taken in the act of inflicting a mortal wound on the Mackarel. 
Among the ancient Romans this fish was only regarded for 
its use in supplying a sauce, which was held by epicures 
in high estimation. It was called the garum or sauce of the 
allies, and was made from the entrails of the fish, for the 
taking of which, to supply this article alone, fisheries were 
carried on in those parts of Spain and Africa which lay beyond 
the Straits of Gibraltar. It was sold at Rome at six thousand 
sesterces, or about forty-eight pounds for the quantity of two 
gallons; and we are informed that it was a source of con- 
siderable riches to the countries from which it was brought. 
Even the dregs of this precious luxury were valued as a sauce. 
The astronomical poet Manilius gives his own impression of 
this sauce; — 
“Could gluttons see, they would not bear the sight 
Of preparations for their appetite, 
Whilst blood and guts, in a polluted mass 
Lie mixed, and are corrupted into sauce; 
Till all the filthy gore’s distilled tq treat 
The fashionable palate of the great. ^ ^ 
The Mackarel is so well known that it would scarcely 
require a description, but for the sake of comparing it with 
a few that are very nearly related to it. The general shape 
is round and plump, approaching to a rather compressed 
conical form on the fore part, and tapering gradually to the 
tail. Snout rather pointed; jaws equal, with teeth which also 
surround the palate. Eye lateral, moderately large; a soft 
membrane overlapping its hinder part. Gill membrane closely 
hid beneath the gill-cover. Scales of the body very small; 
lateral line irregularly straight. The first dorsal fin is opposite 
the ventral fins, which latter are slightly behind the root of the 
