160 
PIKE. 
been present at the taking of an example ivhicli weighed thirty- 
two pounds. In contrast with this, however, in Ireland a fish 
of from twenty to forty pounds is not uncommon in the market; 
and I have been informed on good authority that at Castle 
Coole lake in that country a Pike was obtained which was 
not less than sixty pounds; and from the nobleman who 
communicated this fact I further learn than an example had 
been seen which was of the weight of seventy pounds. A note 
is given in the “Magazine of Natural History,” of a Pike taken 
in Loch Lomond in Scotland, that weighed seventy-nine pounds; 
and to go still higher, in the supplement to Daniels’ “Rural 
Sports,” there is an account of the capture in the river Shannon 
of one that weighed ninety-two pounds. It was observed to 
have chased several Perch, which to save themselves from so 
formidable a devourer, had thrown themselves on the shore; 
but in its eagerness it had itself rushed into such shallow water 
as did not allow of its retreat. 
Dr. Crull, already quoted, mentions an example which 
measured five feet in length; but although we have been 
favoured with specimens of almost a yard in length by the 
kindness of the Earl of Enniskillen, our description is taken 
from one that measured only sixteen inches. The general shape 
lengthened, moderately compressed, round over the back, more 
slender and compressed behind the dorsal and anal fins, which 
fins are far behind and opposite each other; the beginning of 
the dorsal a little in advance. Snout protruded before the 
eyes, depressed, becoming thinner towards the mouth; a large 
and strong mystache,. which extends opposite the eye. Head 
flat and wide; under jaw longest, gape wide; teeth slight on 
the curve in front of the upper jaw with a vacancy at the 
symphysis; but a very formidable arrangement within a long, 
sharp, thickly-set bed round the palate, separated from those 
in front of the upper jaw by a fleshy curtain. Teeth on the 
middle of the palate (vomer;) tongue rough; under jaw with 
less prominent teeth in front, but large, long, firm, and sharp 
a little incurved at the sides; a formidable arrangement, from 
which no living thing that enters can hope to escape. Eyes 
prominent, with a row of obvious pores behind it; pores also 
round the under jaw; nostrils wide. The body covered with 
scales; some also on the cheeks behind the eyes, which also 
