STURGEON TRIBE. 
5 T 5 
the tail is completely surrounded by the tin-rays, and the muzzle is either short or 
developed into a narrow beak of moderate length. There is some doubt as to the 
exact number of species of sturgeons, as these fish vary considerably according to 
their age, but it is probable that nearly twenty different kinds may be admitted. 
Among the better known forms one of the most esteemed is the sterlet (A. ruthvenus), 
which although rarely exceeding a yard in length, yields better flavoured flesh and 
finer caviare than any of the others. It is characterised by its narrow, pointed 
snout, and by the great number of bony plates on the sides of the body; these 
varying from sixty to seventy. Common in the Black Sea and Caspian, as well as 
in their influent rivers, the sterlet is likewise found in the Siberian rivers, while it 
sterlet (j^ nat. size). 
ascends the Danube as far as Vienna. In contrast to this species, may be noticed 
the giant sturgeon, or hausen (S. huso), shown in our full-page illustration. 
Having from forty to forty-five lateral bony plates, this species may be readily 
distinguished by the absence of shields on the muzzle, which is rather short and 
pointed. It is found in the Black Sea, Caspian, Sea of Azov, and their tiibutaries, 
and occasionally enters the Mediterranean. At one time this sturgeon was to be 
met with in the Danube by thousands, among which specimens of upwards of 
24 feet in length were by no means uncommon ; but relentless slaughter has 
greatly reduced not only their numbers but likewise their size, although even now 
fish of from 1200 to 1500 lbs. weight are occasionally taken. These, however, are 
mere pigmies to certain Russian examples, one of which is stated to have w eighcd 
