SEA-PIKES. 
71 
! The Barracoota of the West Indies [Sphyrcena 
I barracuda y Cuv.), is reckoned among the number 
;i of marine monsters greedy of human flesh. It is 
; common in the seas that wash those lovely tropi- 
j cal islands, where it attains the length of ten or 
|l twelve feet, though it is more generally met with 
’ about half that size. The thickness is not in pro- 
BARRACOOTA. 
1 portion to the length. The mouth is wide, the 
I lower jaw projects beyond the upper, and is armed 
I with formidable teeth, with two larger pointed 
I canines in front; the upper jaw has many large 
I and strong teeth scattered among minute ones. 
The two dorsals are placed far apart, the flrst im- 
mediately above the ventrals, the second above 
the anal. The formula of the fln-rays is as 
follows: D. 5; 1—9; C. 19; P. 12; V. 1—5; 
A. 1—9. The tail is much forked. The upper 
parts are dark greyish brown, becoming paler 
on the sides, the belly white. It is covered 
with small thin scales. 
This formidable and voracious fish is much 
I dreaded in the seas which it inhabits. It not un- 
frequently attacks and devours men while bathing; 
Dutertre affirms that it is even more dangerous 
I than the dreadful shark, inasmuch as noise and 
t motion, so far from intimidating it, only excite it 
