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EDINBUR&H.
W H LIZARS
LONDON SAMUEL HI&HLEY 52. FLEET STREET •- DUBLIN W CURRY JUN1* fe C°
THE
NATURALIST’S LIBRARY.
EDITED BY
SIR WILLIAM JARDINE, BART.,
F.R.S.E., F L.S., ETC., ETC.
VOL. XXXIII.
ICHTHYOLOGY.
BRITISH FISHES. Part 2nd. BY R. HAMILTON, ESQ., M.D.,
F.E.S.E., M.W.S., ETC.
EDINBURGH:
W. H. LTZARS, 3, ST. JAMES’ SQUARE ;
S. HIGHLEY, 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON ; AND W. CURRY, JUN. AND CO., DUBLIN.
1843.
ADVERTISEMENT
FROM THE PUBLISHER.
The conclusion of the Ichthyological portion of the Naturalist's Library, now laid before our Readers, embraces the second part of the Fishes of Great Britain, — subjects naturally the most in¬ teresting to the inhabitants of these Isles, — while at the same time they afford so rich a variety of form and other requisites, as at once to furnish the most comprehensive illustrations of this de¬ partment. Together, the Two Volumes are abun¬ dantly calculated to exhibit the capabilities of our Plan ; and, along with the more numerous Series of the other departments, they will be found to supply a large store of popular and useful infor¬ mation upon this fascinating branch of Natural History. Hence we indulge the hope, that they will cherish the taste, and promote the acquisi-
ADVERTISEMENT.
VI
tion of Zoological knowledge ; that they will direct attention to other and more extensive sources of information, especially to the study of Nature itself ; and above all, that they will whet the appetite and direct the taste to those pursuits, so pure and in¬ teresting, which guard from threatening evil, pro¬ mote present felicity, and lead to higher and yet nobler enjoyments.
W e have lately taken occasion to remark, that so extensive is the province of Natural History, that any single department might alone engross the en¬ tire limits of our Publication. When to this we add the innumerable contributions which are now making to every portion of the Science, by the unwearying zeal of so many able Naturalists, in almost every region of the globe, it will be seen how far our task is from being accomplished, and that the vast storehouse from which we draw is al¬ most inexhaustible. In reviewing the Ichthyolo¬ gical Section of our Work, it will be found that one Vrolume has been particularly devoted to the peculiar Structure and Economic Uses of Fishes in general : another has supplied a survey of a single family, the Perches, the first of Baron Cuviers arrange¬ ment, and one of the largest, and has fully illustrated it; showing what may be accomplished with the other families. Two other of our Volumes have been
ADVERTISEMENT.
vii
devoted to a Work very much meriting the appella¬ tion of original, drawn from the Collection of an adventurous and scientific traveller, made in regions hitherto almost unexplored, and now for the first time described and delineated.
That with the present Volume we bring to a close the Ichthyological Section of the present Series of the Naturalist’s Library, will probably excite the astonishment of none of our Readers who direct their attention to the other departments it has been our object to illustrate. When they consider the vast importance of Mammology and Ornithology , and the extent of Entomology , the close alliance these several subjects bear to Man, as it regards his necessities and wants, his comforts and enjoyments, denizens with him of the earth on which he treads, and inhaling the air he breathes, it will at once be conceded that they have not received more than their due share of regard. Ichthyology , again, though scarcely a less important, is avowedly a more diffi¬ cult department of Zoological research. The habitat of Fishes is the world of waters, where man has difficulty in following them, and investigating their economy and habits. This obstacle, however, some¬ times only proves an excitement to inquiry ; and every day’s experience demonstrates, as evinced in our Volumes, that in spite of all obstructions, new
Vlll
ADVERTISEMENT.
secrets are discovered, and new triumphs are ob¬ tained. Tt is now indeed generally understood, that though when removed from their natural element many of the finny race lose their exquisite tinting, yet, when in their natural abode, they exhibit a splendour which nothing can exceed, and whose versatile and transcendant beauty is the main ob¬ stacle to its being adequately represented by the limner’s art.
3. St. J oiks’ Square,
July, 1843.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Memoir of Humboudt . . . .17
NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH FISHES.
SECOND subdivision of osseous fishes with soft rats. MALACOPTERYGII.
Older II. Soft-finned Fishes with Abdominal Yentrals.
Malacopterygii Abdominales . . .42
XIII. FAMILY OF CARPS. CYPRINIDAE.
Gen. 51. Cyprinus. Carps, properly so called . 4G
Sp. 95. C. carpio. The Common Carp. PI. XXIV.
Vol. I. . . . . .46
96. C. carassius. The Crucian Carp . . 50
97. C. gibelio. The Prussian or Gibel Carp . 51
98. C. auratus. The Gold Carp . . 52
Gen. 52. Barbus . . . . .56
Sp. 99. B. vulgaris. The Barbel. PI. XXIV. Vol. I. 56 Gen. 53. Gobio . . . . .58
Sp. 100. G. fluviatilis. The Common Gudgeon.
PI. XXV. Vol. I. 58
Gen. 54. Tinca . . . . .60
Sp. 101. T. vulgaris. The Common Tench. PI.
XXV. Vol. I. . . . .60
Gen. 55. Abramis . . . . .65
Sp. 102. A. brama. The bream. PI. XXVI. Vol. I. 65
103. A. blicca. White Bream . . .67
104. A. Buggenhagii. Pomeranian Bream . 68
Gen. 56. Leuciscus . . . . .68
Sp'. 105. L. dobula. The Double Roach . . 69
X
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Sp. 106. L. idus. The Ide . . .69
107. L. rutilus. The Roach. PI. XXVI. Vol. I. 70
108. L. vulgaris. The Dace . . .74
109. L. Lancastriensis. The Graining . 75
110. L. cepkalus. The Chub or Skelly . 76
111. L. erythrophtlialmus. The Red-Eye . 77
112. L. coeruleus. The Azurine . . 79
113. L. albumus. The Bleak, or Blick . 79
114. L. phoxinus. The Minnow, or Pink . 81
Gen. 57. Cobitis. . . . . .83
Sp. 115. C. barbatula. The Loach. PI. XXVII. Vol. I. 84 116. C. taenia. The Spined Loach, or Ground¬ ling. PI. XXVII. Vol. I. . . 85
XIV. THE PIKE FAMILY. ESOCIDiE.
Gen. 59. Esox . . . . .87
Sp. 117. E. lucius. The Common Pike. PI. XXVIII.
Vol. I. . . . . .88
Gen. 60. Belone . . . . .100
Sp. 118. B. vulgaris. Gar-fish. PI. XXIX. Vol. I. 100 Gen. 61. Scomberesox . . . .103
Sp. 119. S. saurus. Saury-pike. PI. XXIX. Vol. I. 103 Gen. 62. Hemiramphus .... 105
Sp. 120. II. Europceus. The Half-Beak . .105
Gen. 63. Exocilus ..... 107
Sp. 121. E. volitans. The Common Flying-fish.
PI. XXX. Vol. I. . . .111
122. E. exiliens. The Great Flying-fish . 112
XV. THE FAMILY OF THE SILURID.E.
Gen. 64. Siluris . . . . .114
Sp. 123. S. gla/nis. The Sly Siluris, or Sheat-fish . 114
XVI. SALMON AND TROUT FAMILY. SALMONID^l.
Gen. 65. Salmo . . . . .116
Sp. 124. S.salar. The Salmon. PI. XXXII. Vol. I. 116 The Parr. PI. XXXI. Vol. I. . 122
125. S. eriox. Bull, or Grey Trout . . 127
126. S. trutta. Salmon-trout. Pl.XXXIII. Vol. I. 130
127. S.fario. Com. Trout. PI. XXXIV. Vol. I. 134
128. S. Levenensis. Lochlcven Trout . . 139
129. S.ferox. Lake Trout. PI. XXXIII. Vol. I. 141
130. S. savelinus. Charr. PI. XXXIV. Vol. I. 143
CONTENTS. xi
PAGE
Gen. 66. Osmerus ..... 145
Sp. 131. O. epwlanus. Smelt or Sperling. PI. I. . 145
132. 0 . Ilchridicus. Hebridal Smelt . . 146
Gen. 67. Thymallus .... 147
Sp. 133. T. vulgaris. The Grayling. PI. I. . 147
Gen. 68. Coregonus . . . . 151
Sp. 134. C.fera. The Gwyniad . . . 151
135. C. WillugKbii. The Vendaee. PI. II. . 152
136. C. Lacepedei. The Powan . . 154
137. C. Pollan. The Pollan . . . 156
Gen. 60. Scopelus . . . . .158
Sp. 138. S. Humboldtii. The Argentine. PI. II. . 158
XVII. HERRING AND PILCHARD FAMILY".
clupeid^e.
Gen. 70. Clupea ..... 161
Sp. 139. C. liarengus. The Pierring. PI. III. . 161
140. C. Leachii. Leach’s Herring . . 167
141. C. pilchardus. The Pilchard. PI. IV. . 166
142. C. sprattus. The Sprat. PI. III. . 171
143. C. alba. Whitebait . . . 173
Gen. 71. Alosa . . . . .174
Sp. 144. A.Jinta. Twaite Shad. PI. IV. . 175
145. A. communis. Alice Shad . . 176
Gen. 72. Engraulis. . . . 176
Sp. 146. E. enercisicolus. The Anchovy . 177
Order III. Malacopterygii Sub-brachiati . . 179
XVIII. COD AND HADDOCK FAMILY. GADIDiE. Gen. 73. Morrhua . . . . .181
Sp. 147. M. vulgaris. Common Cod. PI. Y. . 181
148. M. callarias. Dorse, or Variable Cod . 185
149. M. ceglefinus. Haddock. PI. V. . 186
150. M.lusca. Bib, Pout, &c. . . 189
151. M. minuta. Poor, or Power Cod . 190
Gen. 74. Merlangus . . . .191
Sp. 152. M. vulgaris. The Whiting. PI. VI. . 191
153. M. albus. Couch’s Whiting . . 192
154. M. Pollachius. The Pollack, or Lytlie . 194
155. M. corbonarius. The Coalfish. PI. VI. . 197
156. M. virens. Green Cod . . .199
Gen. 75. Merluccius .... 200
Sp. 157. M. vulgaris. Common Hake. PI. VII. . 200
Xll CONTENTS.
PAGE
Gen. 76. Lota ..... 204
Sp. 158. L. molva. The Ling. PI. VII. . . 204
159. L. vulgaris. The Burbot . . 206
Gen. 77. Motella ..... 207
Sp. 1 60. M. tricirrata. Three-bearded Roekling.
PI. VIII. . 208
161. M. q uin quec treat a. Five-bearded Roekling.
PI. VIII. . . .209
162. M. cimhria. Four-bearded Roekling . 210
163. M. glauca. Mackerel Midge . . 211
164. M. argenteola. Silvery Gade . . 212
Gen. 78. Brosmius . . . . .213
Sp. 165. B. vulgaris. The Torsk, or Tusk. PI. IX. 213 Gen. 79. Phycis . . . . .215
Sp. 166. P. furcatus. Great Forked Hake. PI. IX. 215 Gen. 80. Raniceps . . . . . £16
Sp. 167. R. trifu/rcatus. Tadpole Fish. PI. X. . 217
XIX. FAMILY OF FLAT FISH. PLEURONECTID7E.
Gen. 81. Platessa ..... 222
Sp. 1 68. P. vulgaris. Common Plaice . . 222
169. P.flcsus. Flounder . . . 224
170. P. limanda. The Dab. PI. X. . 226
171. P. microcepliala. Smooth Dab . . 227
1 72. P. pola. Pole Fluke, or Pole Dab. . 228
173. P. limandoides. Sandsucker . . 229
174. P. elongata. Long Flounder . . 229
Gen. 72. Hippoglossus .... 230
Sp. 175. H. vulgaris. The Holibut. PI. XL . 230
Gen. 83. Rhombus ..... 232
Sp. 176. R. maximus. Turbot. PI. XI. . . 233
177. R . vulgaris. The Brill . . . 236
178. R. hirtus. Muller’s Topknot . . 237
179. R. punctatus. Bloch’s Topknot . . 238
180. R. megastoma. The Whiff . . 239
181. R. Arnoglossus. The Scald-fish . . 240
Gen. 84. Solea . . . . .241
Sp. 182. S. vulgaris. Common Sole. PI. XII. . 241
183. S. Pegusa. Lemon Sole, or French Sole . 244
Gen. 85. Monochirus . . . .245
Sp. 184. M. variegatus. Variegated Sole. PI. XII. 245 185. M. linguatulus. The Solenette . . 246
CONTENTS.
Xlll
XX. FAMILY OF THE SUCKERS. CYCLOP-
TERIDiE. page
Gen. 86. Lepadogaster .... 248
Sp. 186. L. Comubiensis. Cornish Sucker. PI. XIII. 240
187. L. bimaculatus. Two-spotted Sucker . 249
Gen. 87. Cyclopterus .... 250
Sp. 188. C. lumpus. The Lump Sucker. PI. XIII. 250 Gen. 88. Liparis ..... 251
Sp. 180. L. vulgaris. Unctuous Sucker. PI. XIV. 252 100. L. Montagui. Montagu’s Sucker . 252
XXL FAM. OF REMORA SUCKERS. ECHENEIDiE.
Gen. 80. Echeneis ..... 253
Sp. 191. E. remora. Common Sucking-fish. PI XIV. 253
Order IV. Malacopterygii Apodes . . . 256
XXII. FAMILY OF THE EELS. MURJENIDjE.
Gen. 90. Anguilla ..... 257
Sp. 192. A. acutirostris. Sharp-nosed Eel. PI. XV. 258
193. A. latirostris. Broad-nosed Eel . . 262
194. A. mediorostris. Snig Eel . . 262
Gen. 91. Conger ..... 263
Sp. 195. C. vulga't'is. Com. Conger Eel. PI. XV. 263 Gen. 92. Muraina ..... 265
Sp. 196. M. Helena. Common Muroena. PI. XVI. 265
Gen. 93. Leptocephalus .... 266
Sp. 197. L. Morrisii. Anglesey Morris . . 266
Gen. 94. Ophidium .... 267
Sp. 198. O.imberbe. Beardless Ophidium. PI. XVII. 267 1 99. O. barbatum. Bearded Ophidium . 268
Gen. 95. Echiodon ..... 269
Sp. 200. E. Drummondii. Drummond’s Echiodon 269
Gen. 96. Ammodytes . . . .270
Sp. 201. A. Tobianus. The Sand-Eel. PI. XVIII. 271
202. A. lancea. Sand-launce . . 271
Order V. Lophobranchii . . . .274
XXIII. FAMILY OF PIPE-FISHES. SYGNATHIDiE. Gen. 97. Sygnathus .... 275
Sp. 203. S. Acus. Great Pipe-fish. PI. XVIII. . 275
204. S. Typhle. Lesser Pipe-fish . . 277
XIV
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Gen. 9}’. Acestra ..... 278
Sp. 205. A. ceqnorea. Equoreal Pipe or Needle-fish.
PI. XIX . 278
206. A. anquinea. Snake Pipe or Needle-fish . 278
207. A. ophidion. Straight-nosed Pipe-fish . 279
208. A. lumbridformis. Worm Pipe-fish . 279
Gen. 99. Hippocampus .... 280
Sp. 209. If. brevirosttis. Short-nosed Sea-horse.
PI. XIX. . . . .281
Order VI. Plectognathi, or Fishes with soldered Jaws 282
XXIV. FAMILY WITH NAKED TEETH. GYMNODONTIDjE.
Gen. 100. Tetrodon .... 283
Sp. 210. T. Pennanth. Pennant’s Globe-fish. PI.
XX. ..... 284
Gen. 101. Orthagoriscus .... 285
Sp. 211. O.mola. Short Sun-fish . . 285
212. 0. oblongus. Oblong Sun-fish . . 286
XXV. FAMILY OF THE FILE FISHES. BALISTIDiE.
Gen. 102. Balistes .... 288
Sp. 213. B. capriscus. European File-fish. El. XXL 288
SECOND SERIES. CHONDROPTERYGIAN OR CARTILAGINOUS FISHES.
XXVI. FAMILY OF THE STURGEONS. STURIONID^i.
Gen 103. Acipenser. . . . .291
Sp. 214. A. sturio. Common Sturgeon . . 292
215. A. latirostris. Broad-nosed Sturgeon . 293
XXVII. FAMILY OF THE CHIMjERTE. CHIM^ERIILE. Gen. 104. Chimera ..... 295
Sp.216. C. monstrosa. Northern Chimera. PI. XXII. 295
XXVIII. FAMILY OF THE SHARKS. SQUALIDjE. Gen. 105. Scyllium ..... 209
Sp. 217. S. canicula. Small-spotted Dog-fish . 300
218. S. catulus. Large-spotted Dog-fish . 300
219. S. melanostomum. Black-mouthed Dog¬
fish. PI. XXIII.
302
CONTENTS. XV
PAGE
Gen 106. Carcharias .... 303
Sp. 220. C. glaucus. The Blue Shark . . 303
221. C. vulgaris . The White Shark . . 304
Gen. 107. Zvg^ena ..... 305
Sp. 222. Z. maVeus. Hammer-headed Shark. PI.
XXIV. . . . .306
Gen. 108. Galeus ..... 307
Sp. 223. Q. vulgaris. Common Tope. PI. XXIV. 307
Gen. 109. Mustelus .... 308
Sp. 224. M. Icevis. Smooth Hound. PI. XXV. . 308
Gen. 110. Lamna ..... 309
Sp. 225. L. Cornubica. Porbeagle Shark. PI. XXV. 309
Gen. 111. Selachus . . . . .311
Sp. 226. S. maximus. The Basking Shark. PI. XX VI. 311 Gen. 112. Alopias . . . . .312
Sp. 227. A. vulpes. Fox-sliark. PI. XXVII. . 313
Gen. 113. Acanthias .... 313
Sp. 228. A. vulgaris. Picked Dog-fish. PI. XXVII. 313
Gen. 114. Scymnus ..... 315
Sp. 229. S. borealis. Greenland Shark . . 315
Gen. 115. Echinorhinus . . . .317
Sp. 230. E.spinosus. Spinous Shark. PI. XXVIII. 317
Gen. 116. Squatina . .... 318
Sp. 231. S. angelus. Angel-fish. PI. XXIX . 319
XXIX. FAMILY OF RAYS OR SKATES. RAIIDA5.
Gen 117. Torpedo ..... 322
Sp. 232. T. vulgaris. Common Torpedo. PI. XXX. 322
233. T. nobiliana. New British Torpedo . 323
Gen. 118. Raia ..... 323
Sp. 234. R. mucronata. Long-nosed Skate . 324
235. R. oxyrhynchus. Sharp nosed Ray . 325
236. R. intermedia. Flapper-skate . . 325
237. R. batis. The Skate . . . 326
238. R. marginata. Bordered Ray . . 328
239. R. microcellata. Small-eyed Ray . . 328
240. R. miraletus. Homelyn or Spotted Ray . 329
241. R. spinosa. Sandy Ray . . . 330
342. R. chagrinea. The Shagreen Ray . 331
243. R. clavata. The Thornback . . 332
244. R. radiata. Starry Ray. PI. XXXI. . 333
Gen. 119. Trygon ..... 334
Sp. 245. T. pastinacea. Sting Ray. PI. XXXI. . 334
XVI
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Gen. 120. Myliobatis .... 335
Sp. 246. M. aquila. Eagle Ray. PI. XXXII. . 335
Gen 121. Cephaloptera .... 336
Sp. 247. C. giorna. Homed Ray . . 337
XXX. FAMILY OF LAMPREYS. PETROMYZIDAE.
Gen. 122. Pteromyzon .... 330
Sp. 148. P. marinus. The Lamprey. PI. XXXIII. 339
149. P. fluviatilis. River Lamprey . . 340
150. P. Planeri. Planer’s Lampern . : 341
Gen. 123. Ammocgetes .... 342
Sp. 251. A. branchialis. The Pride, or Mud Lamprey.
PI. XXXIII. . . . .342
Gen. 124. Gastrobranchus . . .343
Sp. 252. G coecus. Myxine. PI. XXXIY. . 343
Gen. 125. Amphioxus .... 344
Sp. 253. A. lanceolatus. The Lancelot. PI. XXXIV. 344
SYNOPSIS . 347
Portrait op Humboldt .... 2
Vignette Title-page ..... 3
In all Thirty-six Plates in this Volume
MEMOIR
OF
BARON ALEXANDER YON HUMBOLDT.
The reputation of this illustrious philosopher and traveller is at once brilliant and solid. It is now upwards of half a century since he first appeared as an author ;* and during the many years that have since passed away, his life has been almost inces¬ santly devoted to perilous enterprise and laborious and successful investigation, insomuch that there is not in the civilized world a man of science whose character is held in higher veneration.
Frederick Henry Alexander Yon Humboldt was born at Berlin on the 14th of September, 17<39.t
* “ Observations on the Basalts of the Rhine,” Brunswick, 1 790, 8vo.
+ It is remarkable that some of the most distinguished men of the present age were bom in the year 17G9; such as Napoleon and Wellington, — Cuvier, Chateaubriand, and Humboldt.
VOL. II.
B
18
MEMOIR OF
He is of honourable lineage, and holds the rank of a Prussian Baron. Fortunate in possessing ample pecuniary resources, he was enabled to prosecute his early studies, and his researches in after life, without experiencing those privations against which many other eminent men have been doomed to struggle. He received his academic education at Gottingen and Frankfort on the Oder. His propen¬ sity to travel was early manifested ; for in 1 790, while only in his twenty-first year, he, in company with the naturalists Forster and Geuns, not only traversed part of Germany, especially the country on the banks of the Rhine, but also visited Holland and England. In the same year his first work, en¬ titled “ Observations on the Basalts of the Rhine,” appeared. In 1791 he proceeded to Freyberg, for the purpose of profiting by the instructions of the celebrated W erner, the founder of geological science. There he devoted himself to the study of mine¬ ralogy and botany ; and two years afterwards he published the results of some of his observations in the mines of that district, under the title of Specimen Florae Frilergensis Subterranece.
Having been appointed assessor of the Council of Mines at Berlin in 1792, and soon afterwards direc¬ tor-general of the mines of the principalities of Anspach and Bayreuth, in Franconia, he formed in these districts several establishments of general uti¬ lity ; among others, the public school of Streben, from which there have issued several distinguished persons. In 1795 he resigned his office with the
KARON VON HUMBOLDT.
view of travelling, and visited part of Italy and Switzerland. About this time his active mind was attracted by the discoveries of Galvani, upon which he was one of the first that made improvements. Not satisfied with repeating Galvani’s experiments upon animals, he subjected himself personally to several, both laborious and painful. The results were given in a work published in 1798, and en ¬ riched with notes by Professor Blumenbach. In the previous year he had gone to Vienna, where he remained some time, ardently engrossed in the study of a fine collection of exotic plants. He next tra¬ velled through several cantons of Salzburg and Styria with the celebrated Leopold von Buch, but was pre¬ vented by the war, which then raged in Italy, from revisiting that country.
In 17975 accompanied by his brother* and Mr. Fischer, he visited Paris, where he formed an inti¬ mate acquaintance with M. Aime Bonpland, a pupil
* Charles William Baron Humboldt, who was two years older than the traveller, having been born at Berlin in 1767. In his Personal Narrative, our author says, — “ I separated myself from a brother, who, by his advice and example, had hitherto exer¬ cised a great influence on the direction of my thoughts. He approved the motives which determined me to quit Europe ; a secret voice assured me that we should meet again ; and that, hope, which has not proved delusive, softened the pain of a long separation.” This estimable brother of the traveller at¬ tained to great distinction, having served the King of Prussia in a diplomatic capacity at various courts, and been a privy councillor and a minister of state. He was deeply versed in the philosophy of languages and in ancient literature, as his various publications testify. He died on the 8tli April, 1885.
20
MEMOIR OF
of the School of Medicine and Garden of Plants, who afterwards became his companion in travel, and greatly distinguished himself by his numerous discoveries in botany. Animated by a desire to explore distant regions little known to Europeans, Humboldt contemplated joining the expedition of discovery to the southern hemisphere, under the direction of Capt. Baudin, then preparing in France ; but the war in which that country was then en¬ gaged, compelled the government to withhold the funds allotted to this enterprise. Becoming ac- quainted with a Swedish consul who happened to pass through Paris, with the view of embarking at Marseilles on a mission to Algiers, he resolved to embrace the opportunity thus offered of visiting Africa, in order to examine the lofty chain of moun¬ tains in the empire of Morocco, and ultimately to join the body of scientific men attached to the French army in Egypt. Along with his friend Bon- pland, he therefore repaired to Marseilles, where he waited for two months the arrival of the frigate which was to convey the consul to his destination. At length, learning that this vessel had been injured by a storm, he resolved to pass the winter in Spain, reckoning on easily finding the means of passing from thence to Africa in the spring.
On his arrival at Madrid, he was received with merited distinction by all the men of science in that city. He had also the honour of being presented at the court, and was graciously received by the King, to whom he explained the motives which induced
BARON VON HUMBOLDT.
21
him no w to propose undertaking a voyage to the New Continent. From his majesty he obtained the extraordinary privilege of visiting and exploring, without impediment or restriction, all the extensive territories in America, then belonging to the Crown of Spain. He immediately wrrote to his friend M. Aime Bonpland, who had returned to Paris, to engage him to join in the vast enterprise which he had conceived. M. Bonpland readily accepted the invitation, and the two philosophers, wTell provided with instruments, proceeded towards Corunna, where they were to embark, making by the way observa¬ tions upon the geology, climate, and productions of the country they traversed.
On the afternoon of the 5th of June, 1799, they sailed from Corunna, on board the Spanish corvette Pizarro. At nightfall they spied the fire of a fishing-hut, the light of which mingled itself with the stars that rose on the horizon. This was the last object they beheld on the coast of Eu¬ rope, and drew from Humboldt the following fine reflections : — “ Our eyes remained involuntarily fixed upon it. Such impressions do not fade from the memory of those who have undertaken long voyages, at an age when the emotions of the heart are in full force. How many recollections are awakened in the imagination by a luminous point, which, in the middle of a dark night, appearing at intervals above the agitated waves, marks the shore of one’s native laud !” The vessel having touched at Teneriffe, the travellers made an inspection of
22
MEMOIR OF
that island, and ascended the Peak. Resuming the voyage, during the whole of which they wrere occu¬ pied in making physical observations, they, on the 16th of July, safely arrived at Cumana, on the north-east coast of South America.
The first excursion which our travellers made was to the peninsula of Araya ; after which they under¬ took a journey to various Indian missionary stations. At Cumana they observed an eclipse of the sun, on the 28th of October ; and on the 4th of November they experienced three shocks of an earthquake. Having in some measure become acclimatized, they proceeded to the city of Caraccas ; from thence tra¬ versed the Llanos, or Great Plains, to the missionary stations of the Orinoco ; ascended that river as far as the Rio Negro ; and returned to Cumana by An¬ gostura, the capital of Spanish Guiana. They next visited Cuba, the largest of the West Indian islands. Returning to the continent of South America, they landed at Carthagena, and sailed up the Rio Mag¬ dalena ; leaving which, after a hazardous voyage of thirty-five days, they proceeded to Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital of New Grenada, to Popayan, and Quito. From Quito they made excursions to the snowy mountains in that region, especially the celebrated Chimborazo, which they ascended to the height of 19,798 feet above the sea-level, being an elevation more than any that had been attained by man. The summit of the mountain was still 1439 feet higher, but they were prevented from proceed¬ ing to it by a deep chasm in the snow. From
BARON VON HUMBOLDT.
23
Quito they travelled by a devious course to Trux- illo, and then along the arid coast of the South Sea to Lima, where they remained several months, and at its port of Callao had the satisfaction of observ¬ ing the transit of Mercury. Turning northwards, they sailed along the coast to Guyaquil, and from thence stretched across the ocean to the port of Acapulco in Mexico or New Spain. That interest¬ ing country they traversed in various directions, studying its natural productions, examining its mines and volcanoes, and making numerous scien¬ tific observations and experiments. In Mexico, the capital, they passed some months in the agreeable occupation of inspecting its many antiquities and curiosities, and in enjoying the society of its en¬ lightened inhabitants. Leaving the capital, they descended' to the port of Vera Cruz, on the Mexican Gulf, at which they embarked for Ilavannah, in the island of Cuba, where they had left part of their specimens. They remained there two months, after which they set sail for the United States of North America. Arriving at Philadelphia, and afterwards visiting "Washington, they spent two months in that important country, for the purpose of studying its political constitution and commercial relations. In August 1804 they returned to Europe, carrying with them the extensive collections they had made, among which there were 6300 species of plants.
Reckoning from the time when the travellers quitted France, their expedition occupied a period of about six years, in the course of which they en-
24
MEMOIR OF
countered innumerable difficulties and dangers. To the credit of Humboldt let it be told that this en¬ terprise, which would have done honour to a nation, was executed at his own expense. Its results have been of the highest importance to science in many departments, especially those of natural history, botany, geology, geography, and astronomy, and were from time to time communicated in various publications, most of which appeared in the names of both the associated philosophers. The Personal Narrative of their travels is familiar to the English reader by means of the translation by Mrs. IT. M. Williams, which was for the most part revised by Humboldt himself, and has much of the air of an original work. When the first portion of the trans ¬ lation appeared, the Edinburgh Review (vol. xxiv. p. 134) pronounced the following just eulogium on Humboldt : — “ We congratulate the present age on having produced a traveller, armed at all points, and completely accomplished for the purpose of physical, moral, and political information. In M. de Humboldt we have an astronomer, a physiolo¬ gist, a botanist, one versed in statistics and political economics ; a metaphysician, an antiquary, and a learned philologist, — possessing at the same time the enlarged views, the spirit, and the tone of true philosophy. This assemblage of acquirements, so seldom found in the same individual, is in him accompanied with the most indefatigable industry ; with the zeal, the enterprise, and the vigour which are necessary to give these their true effect.” And
BARON VON HUMBOLDT. 25
subsequently, when returning to the work, the same high authority (vol. xxv. p. 88) said : — “ The view which here, and indeed everywhere else, presents itself of the author, is that of a man feeling with enthusiasm the beauty and magnificence of Nature ; having his mind inspired by that sentiment, and his character formed by it from his early youth.” It is these last mentioned qualities, that have recom¬ mended Humboldt’s writings, especially the Personal Narrative , to minds little imbued with taste for pursuits purely scientific. In the preface to that work Mrs. Williams says — “ Happy the traveller with whom the study of Nature has not been merely the cold research of the understanding, in the explanation of her properties, or the solution of her problems ! who, while he has interpreted her laws, has adored her sublimity, and followed her steps with passionate enthusiasm, amidst that solemn and stupendous scenery, those melancholy and sacred solitudes, where she speaks in a voice so well un¬ derstood by the mysterious sympathy of the feeling heart.” And again — “ The appropriate character of his writings is the faculty he possesses of raising the mind to general ideas, without neglecting indi¬ vidual facts ; and while he appears only to address himself to our reason, he has the secret of awakening the imagination, and of being understood by the heart.”
After his return to Europe, Humboldt formed an intimate friendship with the celebrated M. Cfay- Lussac. For eight years they usually dwelt under
26
MEMOIR OF
the same roof, in France, Germany, and Italy ; and they witnessed together one of the great eruptions of Vesuvius. They made numerous magnetic ex¬ periments, and verified Biot’s theory respecting the position of the magnetic equator. They also found that the great mountain- chains, and even the active volcanoes, have no appreciable influence on the magnetic power ; and they established the fact, that it gradually diminishes as we recede from the equator.
In October 1818 Baron Humboldt visited Lon¬ don, where he was received with merited distinc¬ tion, and where it was said that the allied powers had requested him to draw up a political view of the South American colonies.
He long enjoyed the favour and friendship of his enlightened sovereign, Frederick -Willi am III., the late King of Prussia, who, in November 1818, granted him an annual pension of 12,000 dollars (upwards of ,£1700 sterling), with the view of facilitating the execution of a plan which he had formed of visiting India and Thibet. That plan he was unfortunately unable to carry into effect, but the pension has since been continued, in considera¬ tion of his performing the duties of chamberlain at the Prussian court.
In 1822 he accompanied the king to the Con¬ gress of Verona; and he afterwards visited Venice, Rome, and Naples.
In 1827 and 1828 Humboldt delivered, at Ber¬ lin, a course of lectures on the physical constitution
BARON YON HUMBOLDT. 27
of the globe, which was attended by the royal family and the court.
In 1820, the office of President of the Society of German Naturalists and Natural Philosophers, which is annually changed, was assigned to him ; and at the opening of the Society at Berlin, on the 18th of September in that year, he, as President, delivered a philosophic and eloquent speech, which, as it is comparatively but little known, we here present to the reader, although under the disadvantage of a translation : —
“ Since through your choice, which does me so much honour, I am permitted to open this meeting, the first duty which I have to discharge is one of gratitude. The distinction which has been conferred on him who has never yet been able to attend your excellent Society, is not the reward of scientific ef¬ forts, or of feeble and persevering attempts to dis¬ cover new phenomena, or to draw the light of knowledge from the unexplored depths of nature. A finer feeling, however, directed your attention to me. You have assured me, that while, during an absence of many years, and in a distant quarter of the globe, I was labouring in the same cause with yourselves, I was not a stranger in your thoughts. You have likewise greeted my return home, that, by the sacred tie of gratitude, you might bind me still longer and closer to our common country.
“ What, however, can the picture of this our na¬ tive land present more agreeable to the mind than the assembly which wTe receive to day for the first
28
MEMOIR OF
time within our walls ? From the banks of the Neckar, the birth-place of Kepler and of Schiller* to the remotest border of the Baltic plains ; from thence to the mouths of the Rhine, where, under the beneficent influence of commerce, the treasures of exotic nature have for centuries been collected and investigated, the friends of nature, inspired with the same zeal, and, urged by the same passion, flock to¬ gether to this assembly. Everywhere, where the German language is used, and its peculiar structure affects the spirit and disposition of the people, — from the great European Alps to the other side of the Weichsel, where, in the country of Copernicus, astronomy rose to renewed splendour ; everywhere in the extensive dominions of the German nation we attempt to discover the secret operations of Nature, whether in the heavens, or in the deepest problems of mechanics, or in the interior of the earth, or in the finely woven tissues of organic structure.
Protected by noble princes, this assembly has annually increased in interest and extent. Every distinction which difference of religion or form of government can occasion is here annulled. Germany manifests itself as it were in its intellectual unity ; and since knowledge of truth and performance of duty are the highest object of morality, that feeling of unity weakens none of the bonds which the reli¬ gion, constitution, and laws of our country, have rendered dear to each of us. Even this emulation in mental struggles has called forth (as the glorious
BARON VON IIUMBOLDT. 29
history of our country tells us) the fairest blossoms of humanity, science, and art.
“ The assembly of German naturalists and natural philosophers, since its last meeting, when it was so hospitably received at Munich, has, through the flattering interest of neighbouring states and aca¬ demies, shone with peculiar lustre. Nations have renewed the ancient alliance between Germany and the Scandinavian North.
“ Such an interest deserves acknowledgement the more, because it unexpectedly increases the mass of facts and opinions which are here brought into one common and useful union. It also recals lofty re¬ collections into the mind of the naturalist. Scarcely half a century has elapsed since Linne appears in the boldness of the undertakings which he has at¬ tempted and accomplished, as one of the greatest men of the last century. His glory, however bright, has not rendered Europe blind to the merits of Scheele and Bergman. The catalogue of these great names is not completed ; but lest I shall of¬ fend noble modesty, I dare not speak of the light which is still flowing in richest profusion from the North, nor mention the discoveries in the chemical nature of substances, in the numerical relation of their elements, or the eddying streams of electro¬ magnetic powers. * May those excellent persons, who, deterred neither by perils of sea or land, have hastened to our meeting from Sweden, Norway,
* The philosophers here referred to are Berzelius and Oersted.
30
MEMOIR OF
Denmark, Holland, England, and Poland, point out the way to other strangers in succeeding years, so that by turns every part of Germany may enjoy the effects of scientific communication with the dif¬ ferent nations of Europe.
u But although I must restrain the expression of my personal feelings in presence of this assembly, I must be permitted at least to name the patriarchs of our national glory, who are detained from us by a regard for those lives so dear to their country ; — Goethe, whom the great creations of poetical fancy have not prevented from penetrating the arcana of nature, and who now in rural solitude mourns for his princely friend, as Germany for one of her greatest ornaments ; — -Gibers who has discovered two bodies where he had already predicted they were to be found ; — the greatest anatomists of our age — Soemmering, who, with equal zeal, has inves¬ tigated the wonders of organic structure, and the spots and faculce of the sun, (condensations and openings in the photosphere) ; Blumenbach, whose pupil I have the honour to be, who, by his works and his immortal eloquence, has inspired everywhere a love for comparative anatomy, physiology, and the general history of nature, and who has laboured diligently for half a century. How could I resist the temptation to adorn my discourse with names which posterity will repeat, as we are not favoured with their presence ?
“ These observations on the literary wealth of our native country, and the progressive development
BARON VON HUMBOLDT.
31
of our institution, lead us naturally to the obstruc¬ tions which will arise from the increasing number of our fellow-labourers. The chief object of this assembly does not consist, as in other societies whose sphere is more limited, in the mutual interchange of treaties, or in innumerable memoirs, destined to be printed in some general collection. The princi¬ pal object of this Society is to bring those personally together who are engaged in the same field of science. It is the immediate, and therefore more obvious in¬ terchange of ideas, whether they present themselves as facts, opinions, or doubts. It is the foundation of friendly connection which throws light on science, adds cheerfulness to life, and gives patience and amenity to the manners.
“ In the most flourishing period of ancient Greece, the distinction between words and writing first manifested itself most strongly amongst a race, which had raised itself to the most splendid intel¬ lectual superiority, and to whose latest descendants, as preserved from the shipwreck of nations, we still consecrate our most anxious wishes. It was not the difficulty of interchange of ideas alone, nor the want of German science, which has spread thought as on wings through the world, and insured it a long con¬ tinuance, that then induced the friends of philosophy and natural history in Magna Grascia and Asia Minor to wander on long journeys. That ancient race knew the inspiring influence of conversation as it extemporaneously, freely and prudently penetrates the tissue of scientific opinions and doubts. The
32
MEMOIR OF
discovery of the truth without difference of opinion is unattainable, because the truth in its greatest ex¬ tent can never be recognized by all, and at the same time. Each step, which seems to bring the ex¬ plorer of nature nearer to his object, only carries him to the threshold of new labyrinths. The mass of doubt does not diminish, but spreads like a moving cloud over other and new fields; and who¬ ever has called that a golden period, when difference of opinions, or, as some are accustomed to express it, the disputes of the learned, will be finished, has as imperfect a conception of the wants of science, and of its continued advancement, as a person who expects that the same opinions in geognosy, che¬ mistry, or physiology, will be maintained for several centuries.
“ The founders of this Society, with a deep sense of the unity of nature, have combined in the com- pletest manner all the branches of physical know¬ ledge, and the historical, geometrical, and experi¬ mental philosophy. The names of natural historian and natural philosopher are here, therefore, nearly synonymous, chained by a terrestrial link to the type of the lower animals. Man completes the scale of higher organization. In his physiological and pathological qualities, he scarcely presents to us a distinct class of beings. As to what has brought him to this exalted object of physical study, and has raised him to general scientific investigation, be¬ longs principally to this Society. Important as it is not to break that link which embraces equally the
BARON VON HUMBOLDT.
33
investigation of organic and inorganic nature, still the increasing ties and daily development of this institution renders it necessary, besides the general meeting which is destined for these halls, to have specific meetings for single branches of science. For it is only in such contracted circles, — it is only among men whom reciprocity of studies has brought together, that verbal discussions can take place : without this sort of communication, would the vo¬ luntary association of men in search of truth be deprived of an inspiring principle.
“ Among the preparations which are made in this city for the advancement of the Society, atten¬ tion has been principally paid to the possibility of such a subdivision into sections. The hope that these preparations will meet with your approbation, imposes npon me the duty of reminding you, that, although you had entrusted to two travellers, equally the duty of making these arrangements, yet it is to one alone, my excellent friend, M. Lichtenstein, that the merit of careful precaution and indefatigable activity is due. Out of respect to the scientific spirit which animates the Society of German Natu¬ ralists and Natural Philosophy, and in acknowledg¬ ment of the utility of their efforts, Government have seconded all our wishes with the greatest cheerful¬ ness.
“ In the vicinity of the place of meeting, which has in this manner been prepared for our general and special labours, are situated the museums dedi¬ cated to anatomy, zoology, oryctognosy, and ge- * VOL. II. c
.34
MEMOIR OF
ology. They exhibit to the naturalist a rich mine for observation and critical discussion. The greater number of these well arranged collections have ex¬ isted, like the University of Berlin, scarcely twenty years. The oldest of them, to which the Botanical Garden (one of the richest in Europe) belongs, have during this period not only been increased, but entirely remodelled. The amusement and instruc¬ tion derived from such institutions call to our minds, with deep feelings of gratitude, that they are the work of that great monarch, who modestly and in simple grandeur, adorns every year this royal city with new treasures of nature and art ; and what is of still greater value than the treasures themselves, — what inspires every Prussian with youthful strength, and with an enthusiastic love for the ancient reign¬ ing family, — that he graciously attaches to himself every species of talent, and extends with confidence his royal protection to the free cultivation of the understanding.”
In the summer of 1829 this enterprising man performed, at the age of sixty, an important under¬ taking which he had long contemplated. This was a journey to the Uralian mountains, the frontiers of China, and the Caspian Sea. His principal companions on the occasion were MM. G. Ehren- berg and G. Rose. The expedition having been undertaken with the sanction, and at the expense, of the Emperor of Russia, Humboldt, on his return, pronounced an able discourse at an extraordinary sitting of the Imperial Academy of Sciences at
BARON VON HUMBOLDT.
35
St. Petersburg, held on the 28tli November 1829, wherein he gave a general view of the scientific researches which had been recently carried on in the Russian empire. The full details of the jour¬ ney may be expected in a work announced, while we write, as in the press, entitled Asie Centrale , — Recherches sur les chaines de montagnes el la cli- matologie comparee. Three volumes 8vo. with a map. *
For many years past Baron Humboldt has chiefly resided in his native city of Berlin, the acknow¬ ledged head of Prussian science and literature. Al¬ though far advanced in life, his active mind continues engaged in various investigations. In the words of a distinguished periodical publication, — “ The uni¬ versality of his acquirements, which have left no branch tvithin the wide range of science indifferent or unexplored, has connected him by friendship with nearly all the most celebrated philosophers of the age ; while the polished amenity of his man¬ ners, and that intense desire of acquiring and of spreading knowledge which so particularly charac¬ terizes his mind, render him accessible to all strangers, and ensure for them the assistance of his counsel in their scientific pursuits, and the advantage of being
* It was during this journey that another of the travellers, M. Schmidt, a German, found the first diamonds that have been discovered in the Uralian mountains, — an event which Humboldt had foretold from the analogy of the formation of that range to the mountains in Brazil, in which diamonds occur.
36 MEMOIR OP
made known to all those who arc interested or oc¬ cupied in similar inquiries.”*
The following extract represents the subject of our sketch as the accomplished courtier, and gives some glimpses of his manners and personal habits. It is taken from a publication by an English travel¬ ler, t and refers to a visit which he made to the baths of Teplitz in the month of July, 1834, when the late King of Prussia and Humboldt were so¬ journing there : —
“ Even the formalities which here surround the Prussian monarch have something of a redeeming quality from the character of those who are its agents. He admits about him nothing that is pre¬ sumptuous or impertinent : his chamberlains are philosophers, and the honorary offices of his court are bestowed on those most distinguished for their civil and military talent. He is the zealous patron of science and of art ; and Humboldt is his chosen counsellor. Except the Grand Chamberlain and the Minister-at-War, this great man, in whom profound and varied science is combined with the most grace¬ ful elegance, was the only attendant of the Sove¬ reign at Teplitz ; for his high talent and habitual knowledge of courts and politics, and men, render him a counsellor almost as valuable for the general affairs of the state, as for those to which the labours
* Edinburgh Journal of Science, conducted by Dr. Brewster, vol. x. p. 227.
t Austria, by Peter Evan Turnbull, Es<p F. R.S., F. S. A. : London, 1310: vol. i. p. 33.
BARON VON HUMBOLDT. 37
of his life are thought to have been especially de¬ voted. The flourishing condition of the university and other scientific institutions ; the Egyptian Mu¬ seum, unrivalled in Europe ; the galleries of sculp¬ ture and paintings ; the beautiful copies of all the finest pictures of Raffaelle ; the splendid architectu¬ ral and glyphic ornaments ; and other useful and ornamental public works, which render Berlin one of the most interesting cities in Europe ; — all attest the salutary influence of Humboldt, and of men such as Humboldt, over a wise and judicious Sove¬ reign. He is as indefatigable in business as he is profound in research. Often, at Berlin, have I been at his door before eight in the morning, but he had already gone forth to the active duties of the day ; and, after these were passed, I have seen him in the evening, with his gold key to his button-hole, performing the offices of chamberlain in the ball¬ room with the readiness and ease of one who had never quitted the precincts of a court. To observe this distinguished man, who has filled Europe with his philosophic fame, standing bare-headed on the walk of Teplitz, beside the seat of the Princess of Liegnitz, performing the smaller offices of the courtly attendant, watching her every motion, and running with hat in hand to overtake her, if perchance she might move forward some few steps unobserved, — may excite the smile, and possibly the derision, of him who looks merely on the surface of events. The more thoughtful observer of human nature will take a very different view. lie will ascribe no
38
MEMOIR OF
ordinary elevation of character to the Sovereign, who can thus appreciate the services, and thus conciliate to himself and his family, the devoted attachment of such a man. He will reverence the philosopher whose elegant accomplishments add a tenfold value to his lofty acquirements, by imparting to him that influence of familiar friendship, which has thus bent towards the more refining and ennobling pursuits of civil life the tastes and the energies of an absolute military monarch. He will bear in mind that, on the hallowed banks of the Cephisus, the Loves were the associates of Wisdom ; the promoters of all that is excellent in man ; * and, wdiile he may lament that the rays of royal favour do not always beam on science and on art, he will wish that science and art were ever so combined with an amiable and elegant gentleness of character, as in their union at once to command respect and conciliate affection.”
The favour which the late king of Prussia so long evinced for Humboldt, has been continued by his son and successor, the present monarch. When his majesty came to the court of Great Britain, in January 1842, for the purpose of offi¬ ciating as one of the sponsors at the baptism of the Prince of Wales, the venerable philosopher was not the least remarkable member of his suite. This was a mark of distinction alike creditable to the patriotic king, as to his celebrated subject ; and it afforded the latter an opportunity of renewing his acquaintance with men of science in this country.
* The Medea of Euripides.
BARON VON HUMBOLDT.
39
The duties which Humboldt has to perform as chamberlain at the Prussian court are not of a very onerous description, and interfere but little with the prosecution of those investigations to which his life has been devoted. The latest of these which has fallen under our observation is “ An Attempt to determine the mean Height of Continents,” con¬ cerning which he read a memoir at the meeting of the Berlin Academy of Sciences on 18th July, J842. This was a work of great labour, and had engaged his attention for many years. According to the final result of the whole of his investigations, the maximum assigned by Laplace for the mean height of continents is too considerable by two- thirds.
Prefixed to this volume is a portrait of Baron Humboldt, copied for our work from an engraving which was published at Berlin in 1808. It repre¬ sents the Baron in undress, occupied with his her¬ barium, such as he was in the prime of life. His features form a happy combination of capacity of intellect and benignity of disposition. His frame is strong and muscular, and well-fitted for accom¬ plishing the laborious undertakings to which he devoted himself.
*
.
■'
THE
NATURAL HISTORY
OF
BRITISH FISHES.
SECOND SUBDIVISION OF OSSEOUS FISHES WITH SOFT RAYS. MALACOPTERYGH.
This second and latter subdivision of the first great series, namely, that of Osseous Fishes, designated jointed or soft-finned fishes, Malacopterygii, to which we now proceed, consists of three Orders, the distinguishing characters of which are obtained from the positions, or the absence of the ventral fins. The term soft-Jinned is, of course, a relative one ; the rays in the so named fins being composed of osseous spicuke which are articulated together by means of cartilage, which renders the ray flexible when the several pieces are long, or more solid, when the dif¬ ferent articulations are close set, so that the fins may become almost as stiff as in those fishes which belong to the Acanthopterygcous division. This division is so inferior in point of extent, that proba-
42
MALACOPTERYGII.
bly, according to Mr. Swainson, it does not amount to more than one-fourth of the number comprised in the former, or spiny-raycd one. It is also perhaps true, that the different genera belonging to it are inferior to the foregoing in respect of their shapes and colouring ; but, on the other hand, they are superior in the grand point of utility to Man, com¬ prising by far the largest proportion of those which furnish him with the all-important article of food ; for when we enumerate the Cod, Herring, Turbot, Salmon, and Carp families, as belonging to this division, we name those which supply the largest amount of this necessary article, and in whose cap¬ ture thousands of men, and fleets of vessels, are ex¬ clusively engaged. The leading and most numerous Order, consists of those soft-finned fishes whose ventral fins are attached to the abdomen.
ORDER II. SOFT-FINNED FISHES, WITH ABDOMI¬ NAL VENTRALS. MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMI- NALES.
This Order comprises those fishes which have the ventral fins attached to the abdomen behind the pectorals, and unconnected with the bones of the shoulder. They are the most numerous Order of the Section, including the majority of fresh-water fishes, and are divided into five families, in our arrangement from the thirteenth to the seventeenth, inclusive. From the two volumes of the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons which have recently been
MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES.
43
published, we perceive, as might have been antici¬ pated, that this Order is about to undergo modifica¬ tions, and, we may add, great improvements, upon its exposition in the Regne Animal ; much greater than those which have been effected upon the for¬ mer subdivision. We need not express how great has been our obligation to the authors of that ad¬ mirable W ork in the former portion of our own ; and deprived of this assistance, and retreating upon the Regne Animal , and other resources, we expe¬ rience a deficiency which nothing short of the completion of that valuable Work can adequately supply. The vast and splendid accumulation of fishes now collected at the Jardin des Plantes , ar¬ ranged by the genius and assiduity of Cuvier, and now describing from his Notes by the indefatigable labour of his pupil, Valenciennes, who seems to have imbibed so much of the enthusiasm and taste of his great master, at once warrants and vindicates these remarks. M. Valenciennes commences the exposition of the Order by the consideration of that most interesting family — the Siluridas ; but as only one of its species is European, we deem it needless, under the circumstances, to follow his example, and therefore at once, with the Regne Animal , begin with the Carp family.
44
XIII. FAMILY OF CARPS. CYPRINIDjE.
Representatives in British Fauna. — Gen. 8, Sp. 13.
Gen. 51. Cyprinus. Sp. 95. C. carpio.
96. C. carassius.
52. Barbus. .
53. Gobio. . .
54. Tinca. . .
55. Abramts .
56. Leusiscus.
57. Cobitis.
58. Botia.
97. C. gibelio.
98. C. auratus. .
99. B. vulgaris. .
100. G. fluviatilis
101 .T. vulgaris .
102 . A.brama
103. A. blicca . .
1 04. A . Buggenhagii.
105. L. idus. . .
106. L. dobula
107. L. rutilus
108 . L. vulgaris. .
1 0 9.L.Lancastriensis
1 1 0. L. cephalus. .
111. L. erothrojph-
thalmus.
112 . L. ccei'ulcus.
113 . L. alburnus. .
1 14. X. phoxinus .
115. C. barbatula
1 1 6. B. txnia. . .
The Common Carp. Crucian Do. Prussian Do.
The Gold Do.
The Barbel.
The Gudgeon.
The Tench.
The Bream.
White Do. Pomeranian Do. The Ide.
The Dobule Roach. The Rood.
The Dace.
The Graining.
The Chub.
Red-eye, or Rudd.
The Azurine.
The Bleak.
The Minnow.
The Loach.
The Spined Loach.
This family, we rejoice to see, has lately under¬ gone the revision of Mr. John M‘Lelland, Assistant Surgeon, Bengal Medical Service, whose talents and acquirements, as well as his very favourable
MALACOPTERYGII. FAMILY OF CARPS. 45
position in India, the chief habitat of the Cypri- nida?, afford every promise of most satisfactory results from his labours. He has divided the family into three sub-families, sixteen genera, and two hundred and twenty-nine species (Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Ilist. viii.), so that it has comparatively but few representatives in Britain. It is readily recognised by having the mouth but slightly cleft, weak maxil- laries, generally without teeth, and whose margin is formed by the interm axillaries ; it has the pha- ryngeals strongly toothed ; its gill- covers are but few ; the body is scaly and destitute of an adipose dorsal fin, as we shall find is possessed by the SiluridcP and Salmonida?. A considerable number of the family are supplied with barbules or cirri, which are capable of being contracted and elon¬ gated, as well as the muscular appendages of the snout, to which they are attached ; differing in this respect from the filaments of the Siluridas, as will be afterwards stated. It is the least carnivorous family of fishes. The typical genus Cyprinus is a very natural one, and comprehends numerous spe¬ cies, which are distinguished by the characters already enumerated. Their tongue is smooth, and the palate provided with a soft and singularly irri¬ table substance, vulgarly known by the name of Carps tongue. The pharynx presents a powerful instrument for mastication, consisting of large teeth attached to the inferior pharyngeal bones, and capa¬ ble of compressing the food against a strong disk enclosed in a wide cavity under the basilary bone.
46 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
They have only one dorsal, and the body is covered with scales, most frequently of a large sizo.
Gen. LI. Cyprinus. Carps, properly so called. — This genus has a long dorsal fin which, together with the anal, is furnished with a spine more or less stout, as its second ray ; the body is covered with large scales : some have fleshy tubercles at the angle of the mouth, and to these we shall first al¬ lude ; others are without these appendages. Four species are enumerated as British.
(Sp. 95.) C. carpio. The Common Carp. “ The Carp is accounted the water-fox for his cunning .” (Walton.) From the Carp being highly esteemed, and having long been reared in a kind of domes¬ tic state, an acquaintance has been made with it which falls to the lot of but few of the finny race. Isaac Walton, no small authority, ascribes its shy¬ ness in taking the hook to its acute and cunning perceptions, a characteristic which, we suspect, may be more satisfactorily accounted for from its herbaceous tastes and sluggish disposition.
The specific characters of Common Carp are, that the mouth has two barbules on each side, and that the caudal fin is forked. Its general colour is olive- brown tinged with gold, darkest on the head ; belly yellowish white ; dorsal and caudal fins dusky ; ven- trals and anal tinged with red. Its food is chiefly vegetables ; also the larvae of insects, and worms. It is reported to live to a great age, and its dimensions increase with its age. From one foot to one and a half, or even two feet, are not very uncommon lengths ;
GEN. CYPRINUS. THE COMMON CARP. 47
but much larger dimensions are sometimes given. “ The largest ” says Mr. Yarrell, “ I can refer to, are thus noticed in Daniel’s Rural Sports. — Mr. Ladbroke, from his Park at Gatton, presented Lord Egrcmont with a brace that weighed 35 lbs., as specimens to ascertain whether the Surrey could not vie with the Suffolk Carp.” In the year 1793, he adds, at the fishing of a large piece of water at Slourhead, where a thousand brace of killing Carp were taken, the largest was thirty inches long, up¬ wards of twenty-two inches in girth, and weighed eighteen pounds. In warmer countries they attain much larger dimensions, and reach, as stated by Cuvier, to the length of four feet, and by Pallas to not less than five, in the Volga. The Mirror Carp, proposed by Mr. Boccius to be introduced into this country, has been found in Saxony to weigh as much as 55 lbs. and others have been reported as high as 70 lbs. Such fish as these are supposed to be from a hundred and fifty to two hundred years old.
Carp appears to be a native of most of the tem¬ perate countries of Europe. It was introduced in the fifteenth century into England, where it is highly prized, and thrives prodigiously. In Ireland like¬ wise, where it is said to have been introduced bv James I., it is preserved in several places, as in the counties of Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin, and probably others. In Scotland it is generally said to be want¬ ing (Mag. of Zool. and Bot., i. 391), and though this statement may not be literally true, yet,
48 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
whether from the character of the water, or from the climate, as is more probable, it has hitherto been found no where to thrive ; — a remark appli¬ cable to all cold countries. In the pond of Red- braes, near Edinburgh, observes Mr. Stoddart, seven or eight Carp have been maintained for several years, along with numbers of Perch, and though of both sexes, no disposition to spawn has yet been appa¬ rent ; in fact, he adds, it may be safely asserted, judging from what we have heard upon the subject, that Carp will not thrive in Scotland until some means be discovered for meliorating the climate, and giving a soft quality to the water. In favouring circumstances, on the contrary, their fecundity is very great, so that no fewer than 780,000 ova have been found in a single Carp ; and this property would appear to increase with their years. The ova are deposited upon weeds, among which the female is followed by two or three males, in these islands, in the months of May and June ; and they are in best condition from October till April. They are altogether fresh- water fish, in rivers preferring those parts where the current is not too strong, and thriving best in muddy bottoms. On this account, lakes, and even ponds, appear to be their favourite resorts, especially where they have the benefit of shade from an overhanging grove of trees.
Angling for Carp, says Isaac Walton, “ requires a large measure of patience nor are they easily captured by the net, since they manage to bury themselves in the mud. During the winter season
GEN. CYPRINUS. THE COMMON CARP. 49
they eat little or nothing, and are supposed to lie in great numbers, side by side, buried in the mud. In keeping with these habits, Mr. White of Selborne states, that in the gardens of the Black Bear Inn, in the town of Reading, there is a stream or canal, running under the stables, and out into the fields on the other side of the road : in this water are many Carps, which lie rolling about in sight, being fed by travellers, who amuse themselves by tossing them bread. But as soon as the weather grows at all severe, these fishes are no longer seen, because they retire under the stable, where they remain till the return of spring. The Carps are very tenacious of life, and may be preserved out of the water for a considerable time, especially when covered with some moist substance, and in coldish weather, and thus they can be transported to a distance. In Holland they are sometimes suspended in nets full of moss, in a damp cellar, which being moistened with water, and sometimes with milk, they not only live, but actually improve under the process.
Mr. Boccius’ little treatise upon the management of fresh-water fish, has a special reference to this fish ; and useful details on the construction of ponds, their stocking, fishing, &c. will be found in its pages. His object is to make these preserves an object of profit to landed proprietors, as already stated in our former volume (p. 114), and theieby to increase also the amount of nutritious and excellent food Carp feed well in stews, and Mr. Jesse has remarked
VOL. II. D
50 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
that they are soon reconciled to their situation, and eat boiled potatoes in considerable quantities. “ They soon lost,” says he, “ their original shyness, and fed in my presence without any scruple.” As with many other fishes, so with these, much variety of opinion has existed as to their merit as an article of food. The ancients held them in no very high esteem ; by the writers of the 16th century they are ranked as an important aliment ; and at present they are highly prized in France, Germany and Austria ; Mr. Yarrell, we should think, is not far from the truth, when he states that they are highly indebted to cooks for the estimation in which they are held for the table.
(Sp. 96.) C. car ass his. The Crucian Carp. This species of Carp, which by some of the Thames fisher¬ men is called the German Carp, has been introduced into the list of British fishes by the assiduous atten¬ tion of Mr. Yarrell, who has now had an oppor¬ tunity of examining two specimens ; and his decision has been corroborated by the authority of other able naturalists. Mr. YarreHs specimens were captured in the Thames, between Hammersmith and Windsor, its only ascertained habitat in this country. Its average weight may probably be about one pound and a half ; one specimen obtained weighing two pounds eleven ounces ; the other one pound. Re¬ specting its habits wye have little intelligence ; Bloch states it spawns in May. The colour of the upper parts of the body is a rich golden brown, becoming
GEN. CYPRINUS. THE PRUSSIAN CARP. 51
lighter and more yellow on the sides beneath the lateral line, and on the belly ; the fins are dark brown ; the mouth small ; the irides golden yellow ; the scales large, with concentric stria? strongly marked upon them.
(Sp. 97.) C. gibelio. The Prussian or Gibel Carp. Mr. Pennant informs us that this species is common in many of the fish-ponds about London, and other parts of the south of England ; although he does not consider it as indigenous, but a natu¬ ralized fish, the date of whose introduction is un¬ known. Mr. Yarrcll conceives it is of somewhat wider distribution ; that it spawns at the end of April or beginning of May, and is very prolific. He adds, though known to be very numerous in some situations, little success attends the angler who en¬ deavours to catch them, as they seldom bite freely ; the fish is exceedingly tenacious of life ; and he has known them recover and survive after having been kept out of water for thirty hours. “ '1 lie top of the head, and back, are olive brown ; the sides lighter ; the abdomen almost white, the whole fish shining with a brilliant golden metallic lustre ; the pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are orange red ; and the lower part of the tail tinged with the same colour.” Mr. Pennant states that the flesh is ex¬ tremely coarse and but little esteemed ; Mr. Yarrell, that it is white and agreeable; with the help of some of Mr. Boccius’ German recipes, we doubt not it could be made, in the words of the record, “ very fine this way.”
52
MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
(Sp. 98.) C. auratus. The Gold Carp.
“ Type of the sunny human breast Is your transparent cell ,
Where fear is but a transient guest,
No sullen humours dwell;
Where, sensitive of every ray That smites this tiny sea,
Your scaly panoplies repay The loan with usury." — Wordsworth.
These splendid and beautiful Carps, better known in these countries by the name of Gold and Silver fishes, are stated to have been originally natives of a mountain lake in the province of Tche Kiang, about the 30° of N. latitude. Hence they spread through the other provinces of China, Japan, and the neighbouring countries. By the Dutch they were carried into Batavia; by the French, to the Mauri¬ tius; the Portuguese navigators early introduced them into their native land, where perhaps they are more abundant than in any other country of Europe. In these congenial haunts, whether native streams or artificial ponds, they are said to attain a considerable size, and to be very long-lived. M. Van Braam informed Dr. Shaw, that during his stay at a town near Pekin, he was shown several in a pool, of which the smallest was fifteen inches long, and the others a good deal larger, reaching, according to Du Halde, the size of our largest herrings : here too they are frequently served up as food. In our colder climates, the size they attain is much more limited; Mr. Yarrell stating that he had never seen a specimen exceeding ten inches in length.
GEN. CYPRINUS. TIIE GOLD CARP. 53
That, upon the whole, the Carp is hardy, cannot, from its wide diffusion, be doubted ; and as an addi¬ tional illustration, it may be mentioned that M. Host, a naturalist of Vienna, observed a Gold-fish revive after it had been frozen up in ice during a winter night, in the vicinity of Austerlitz. Still more clear, however, is it, that it thrives best in a warm and genial medium, even should this be artificially pro¬ duced. It is well known, says a correspondent in Loudon’s Magazine (vol. iii.), that in manufacturing districts, where there is an inadequate supply of cold water for the condensation of the steam employed in the engines, recourse is had to what are called engine- dams or ponds, into which the water from the steam- engine is thrown for the purpose of being cooled ; in these dams, the average temperature of which is about 80°, it is common to keep Gold-fish ; and it is a notorious fact, that they multiply in these situa¬ tions much more rapidly than in ponds of lower temperature, exposed to the variations of the climate. Three pair of this species were put into one of these dams, where they increased so rapidly, that at the end of three years their progeny, which were un¬ doubtedly poisoned with verdigris mixed with the refuse tallow of the engine, were taken out by wlieel- barrow-fulls. Under such circumstances it is, says the author of “ The Rod,” that they are found in a water-cut connected with the Clyde near Glas¬ gow, and thus may become naturalized in that river.
It is not, however, from the habits and economic
54 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
uses of these o-old and silver fishes in their natural or acquired haunts, so much as from their domes¬ tication in this and in almost every other country, and from the interest they excite as beautiful pets and play-things, that they have attracted so much admiration and attention. In its native country no pains are spared, especially by the ladies, in its cul¬ tivation. These fair and feeble-footed damsels are assiduous in their attentions to a creature so beau¬ tiful in itself, so pleasing in the perpetual liveliness of its movements, and so interesting for the ease with which it may he rendered susceptible of a certain de¬ gree of familiarity and attachment. Large glass, and peculiar vessels of the richest kind, are prepared for their reception in their apartments, and small orna¬ mented ponds and basins in their gardens. It ap¬ pears that they were first introduced into theso islands in the I7tli century; they have steadily be¬ come more and more diffused, and we should say are now more common than ever. When they are young, they are of a dark and sombre hue, and only gradually acquire the splendid colours by which they are afterwards characterized. Their dorsal and anal fins are denticulated like those of the Common Carp ; but the usual effects of domestication are pre-eminently conspicuous upon them. Some indi¬ viduals have no dorsal fin at all, and in others it is very minute ; some have the caudal extremely large, or, it may be, divided into three or four lobes. The Telescope Carp, again, has the eye enormously en¬ larged and protuberant, and all these and other
GEN. CYPRINUS. TIIE GOLD CARP. 55
variations may be diversely grouped. As already stated upon a former page, M. de Sauvigny, in his Hist. Nat. des Dorades de la Chine , published in 1780, lias given coloured representations of eighty- nine varieties of this Carp, exhibiting almost every possible combination of metallic tinting, gold and silver, orange, black, and purple.
The following statement, with regard to the treatment of these interesting prisoners in China, as furnished by Le Comte, may interest many. They are put into a deep large basin, at the bot¬ tom of which is placed an earthen pan upside down, with holes in it, so that, during the heat of the day, shelter may be afforded from the sun. A certain kind of herb is also thrown upon the water, which keeps it always green and cool. The water is changed three or four times a week ; but in such a manner that the fresh enters, while the old is going out. If they are obliged to transport the fish from one vessel to another, they take great care not to touch them with the hand, for those that are touched die soon after, or are reduced to a languish¬ ing condition : therefore they employ a small net with which they gently lift them, and which does not let the wrater escape before they are put into the fresh. A great noise like that of guns or thun¬ der, or a strong smell, or violent motion, is very prejudicial, and sometimes kills them, as I have often observed on shipboard, when a great gun was fired. In this country they are usually fed wTith crumbs of bread, yolks of egg boiled hard and re-
56
MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
duced to powder, manna-croup, and such like articles: occasionally they are supplied with a bed of moss or turf.
“ I ask wliat warrant fix'd them (like a spell Of witchcraft, fix’d them) in the crystal cell ;
To wheel, with languid motion, round and round, Beautiful, yet in mournful durance bound ?
Their peace, perhaps, our slightest footstep marr’d,
Or their quick sense our sweetest music jarr’d ;
And whither could they dart, if seized with fear ?
No sheltering stone, no tangled root was near.
When fire or taper ceased to cheer the room,
They wore away the night in starless gloom ;
And when the sun first dawned upon the streams,
How faint their portion of his vital beams !
Thus, and unable to complain, they fared, —
While not one joy of ours by them was shared.”
Gen. LII. Barbus. — This genus is distinguished by short dorsal and anal fins, the former of which have spinous rays as their second and third ; it has moreover four barbules, two at the angles of the mouth, and two at its most projecting portion. The species are numerous, and widely diffused in the New and Old World. One species only is known in Britain.
(Sp. 99.) B. vulgaris. The Barbel, or Bearded Fish, from the cirri at its mouth, is unknown in Scotland, frequent in England, and pretty general throughout Europe. It is easily known by its pro¬ longed head, and is very common on the Continent, as stated in the Regne Animal , in clear and rapid streams, where it sometimes exceeds ten feet in
GEN. BARBUS. THE BARBEL. 57
length. The general colour of the superior parts is
greenish brown, becoming yellowish green on the
sides, the cheeks and gill-covers are tinged with
bronze ; belly white ; irides yellow ; lips pale flesh-
colour. It is in the most sluggish parts of the
Thames and its tributaries, that this flsh most
abounds. So numerous, says Mr. Yarrell, are the
Barbel about Shepperton and Walton, that one
hundred and fifty pounds weight have been taken
in five hours ; and on one occasion it is said that
two hundred and fifty pounds of a large size were
taken in one dav. Mr. Pennant states that it is •/
sometimes three feet in length, and weighs eighteen pounds. It feeds upon slugs, worms, and small fish. When turning up the loose soil at the bottom in search of food, many smaller fish are seen to attend, and pick up such nourishment as is set afloat. They spawn in May and June, the ova amounting to seven or eight thousand in a full sized female. During summer they frequent weedy parts of the river; but as soon as vegetation begins to decay in autumn, they seek the deeper waters, and shelter near piles, locks, and bridges.
Mr. Jesse, when describing the habits of the different sorts of fishes kept in his Vivarium, in¬ forms us that the Barbel were the shyest, and seemed most impatient of observation ; although in the spring, when they could not perceive any one watching them, they would roll about, and rub themselves against the brick-work, and show con¬ siderable playfulness. There were some large stones
50 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
round which they would wind their spawn in con¬ siderable quantities. “ Barbel,” he again remarks, “ appear to be almost in a perfectly torpid state in very cold weather. They make their hybcrnacu- lum amidst tufts of weeds, at the bottom of the Thames, apparently either asleep or insensible. In¬ deed, so torpid are they, that they may be taken up by the hand. In very cold weather, the fisher¬ men provide themselves with a net fastened to an iron hoop, having a handle to it, which they place near the fish, and with a pole put it into the net, so perfectly inanimate are they at this season.” Barbel are never seen to feed in winter. They are generally agreed to be the coarsest of fresh¬ water fishes, and are seldom eaten but by the poor, who sometimes boil them with bacon, to give them a relish. The idea that even the roe is noxi¬ ous, has been disproved by personal experiment by Bloch.
Gen. LIII. Gobio. — The Gobio in generic cha¬ racters resembles the Barbus, with the exception of having no strong bony serrated rays at the com¬ mencement of either the dorsal or anal fins.
(Sp. 100.) G. fluviatilis. The Common Gud¬ geon has a single cirrhus at each angle of the mouth. It abounds on the continent of Europe, also in England, more especially the southern parts ; but like many of its congeners, it is unknown in Scot¬ land. The colour of the upper parts of the body is olive-brown spotted with black, gill-covers green¬ ish white, with the under surface white : their
GEN. GOBIO. TIIE COMMON GUDGEON. 59
colours, however, vary considerably according to their age, nutriment, and locality. This pretty little fish is much used as bait for larger ones ; it affords great sport to young anglers, taking the hook greedily, even to a proverb, and is esteemed as pleasant and light food ; hence it is frequently used by invalids. Its usual size is from five to six inches ; but Mr. Pennant states that those which are caught in the Kennet and Cole are three times the weight of those taken elsewhere ; the largest he ever heard of was taken near Uxbridge, and weighed half a pound. The operation of spawning takes place in spring, and occupies a considerable period, being as it were postponed and renewed from time to time. The fry measures about one inch in the beginning of August. The Thames, Mersey, and Avon are famed for their fine Gudgeons, and they thrive well in ponds abundantly supplied with fresh water. They arc frequently assembled by raking the bed of the river, as to this spot they immediately crowd, expecting food from the dis¬ turbance. They swim in shoals, feed on worms and acquatic insects, and so abound in some countries that they are given to the hogs. The Thames fishermen, as stated by Mr. Yarrell, take them in shallow water, with the casting net, keeping them in their well- boats till wanted. The London fish¬ mongers arc also able to keep Gudgeons alive for several weeks in tanks, which are constantly sup¬ plied with fresh water. Col. Montague informs us that of the quantities of these fish, caught by the
60
MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
casting-net in the Avon near Bath, many are ex¬ posed for sale alive, in shallow tubs of water, and are thus obtained in the highest perfection for in¬ valids.
Gen. LIV. Tinca. — The generic distinctions of the Tench are, that the barbules arc very small, as are also the scales, and the mucous secretion of the body is abundant.
(Sp. 101.) T. vulgaris . The Common Tench possesses a higher interest than many of its asso¬ ciates in the family, in as much as, like carp, it is with many a favourite for stocking fish-ponds, and for introduction to the table. Its excellence as an article of food should of course be the recommenda¬ tion to this kind of preference ; and yet it is curious that, as with many other fishes, great contrariety of sentiment has prevailed upon this point. Along with the Carp, the older writers held it in no esteem. In Ausanias we find the interrogatory, Quis non et vivides vulgi solalio Tineas novit ? Gesner says it is insipid and unwholesome ; and Baron Cuvier, that it is not good, except in some waters ; and many of our modern writers, as Mr. Griffith, affirm that the flesh is soft, insipid, and difficult of digestion Not so, however, the whole of them. “ Sure I am,” says I. Walton, “ he eats pleasantly, and doubtless you will think so if you taste him.” “ At present,” says Mr. Pennant, “ it is held in good repute.” Boccius affirms “ that it is peculiarly delicate, nutritious, and in good repute for the table.” And Mr. Yarrell, “ its flesh is nu-
GEN. TINCA. TIIE COMMON TENCH. 61
tritious and of good flavour, and not generally held in the estimation it deserves.” This diversity of sentiment is to be ascribed more to difference of feeding, and other external circumstances, than to any inferiority in the species ; and if, by a little at¬ tention to these circumstances, improvement can bo effected in the Tench, so probably might it also be with many other fish.
On the specific characters of this well known fish we need not much insist : it is short and thick ; and its colouring seems to vary according to the purity of the water in which it resides. Its general colour is greenish olive, lightest beneath, with the fins dark brown ; but the hue verges towards brilliant golden yellow in rapid streams with sandy bottoms, whilst it becomes almost black in muddy marshes. Its average size in Britain is from twelve to eighteen inches, although sometimes it reaches three feet ; its weight from four to six pounds ; Salviani mentions it has reached twenty. It is common in many of the temperate countries of Europe, from whence it is supposed to have been introduced into England, where it thrives ; and into Scotland, which does not appear to be at all con¬ genial. Certainly it does not thrive near Edin¬ burgh ; although it has been reported to flourish, under somewhat peculiar circumstances indeed, in some ponds belonging to Mr. Ferguson of Pitfour, near Aberdeen. In the northern counties of Eng¬ land it is found, but not abundantly ; as in the Eden, and Solway Firth, and near Berwick in Ilir-
(32 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
eel Loch ; also in Ireland, in the counties Cork, Kil¬ kenny, and Dublin. According to I. Y'alton, it loves ponds better than rivers, and pits better than either ; and to Mr. Yarrell, it is mostly in those rivers that are slow and deep, that this fish is found ; and in such situations it is not so prolific as in ponds. In deep pits, in which clay for bricks has been dug out, it is often abundant ; and broad shallow waters, on muddy bottoms, frequently produce great quan¬ tities, as is the case with some extensive tracts of water near Yarmouth, in Norfolk, from which, if the fish be taken and removed to stews, where they arc fed with a mixture of greaves and meal, they thrive greatly.
This fish is exceedingly tenacious of life, a trait which is demonstrated by experiments which show that a Tench can live in water ayIiosc oxygen is re¬ duced to the one five-thousandth part of the bulk of water, ordinary river water containing about one per cent. ; a fact, as observed by Dr. Roget, which evinces the admirable perfection of the respiratory organs of the fish. This trait is strikingly illustrated by the following fact taken from Daniel’s Rural Sports. “ A piece of water which had been ordered to be filled up, and into which wood and rubbish had been thrown for years, was directed to be cleared out. Almost choked up by weeds and mud, so little water remained that no one expected to see any fish, except a few eels ; and yet nearly two hundred brace of Tench of all sizes, and as many Perch, were found. After the pond was thought to
GEN. TINCA. TIIE COMMON TENCH. 63
be quite free, under some roots there seemed to be an animal which was conjectured to be an otter ; the place was surrounded ; and on opening an en¬ trance among the roots, a Tench was found of most singular form, having literally assumed the shape of the hole, in which he had, of course, for many years been confined. His length, from eye to fork, was thirty-three inches ; his circumferance, almost to the tail, was twenty-seven ; his weight eleven pounds nine ounces and a quarter ; the colour was also sin¬ gular, his belly being that of char or vermilion. This extraordinary fish, after having been inspected by many gentlemen, wars carefully put into a pond, and at the time the account was written, twelve months afterwards, was alive and wTell. Tench, con¬ tinues Mr. Daniel, are said to love foul and weedy more than clear water ; but situation does not always influence their taste. These fish, taken out of Mun- den Hall Fleet, in Essex, which was so thick with weeds that the flew-nets could hardly be sunk through them, and where the mud was intolerably fetid, and had dyed the fish of its own colour, which was that of ink, could no where be better grown, nor of finer flavour ; many were taken which weighed nine pounds, and some ten, a brace. In a pond at Leigh’s Priory, a quantity of Tench was caught, about three pounds each, of a colour the most clear and beautiful ; but when some of them were dressed and brought to table, they smelt and tasted so rankly of a particular weed, that no one could eat them. Some that were conveyed alive, and
64 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
put into other water, soon recovered themselves from this noxious taint ; an experiment that will always answer in this kind of fish.”
Tench are found spawning from June to Sept., and the female, as stated by Mr. Yarrell, is usually attended by two males, who follow her from one bunch of weeds to another, upon which the ova arc deposited ; and so engrossed are they at this time in fulfilling the Divine command, that I have fre¬ quently dipped out all the three fish by a sudden plunge of the landing-net. The ova are very nu¬ merous, being, says Bloch, nearly 300,000, in a fish of four pounds weight. They are omnivorous.
In conclusion, we must not omit to state a sin¬ gular property which is assigned to the Tench by many of the older writers, and by some modern ones too. It is alleged it has a sanative property pro¬ ceeding from its cutaneous secretion, the virtue of which is said to be appreciated by other fishes. Old Walton says, I hope I may be so bold as to tell you that the Tench is the physician of fishes, and for the Pike especially, so that a Pike being either sick or hurt, is cured by the touch of the Tench ; and it is observed that this fresh-water tyrant will not play the wolf to his physician, but forbears to devour him though lie be never so hungry. Boccius again, says, it is a well authenticated fact that no fish of prey will ever touch Tench ; so it is also un¬ derstood that Tench act medicinally to other fish, by rubbing against them when wounded or sick. Hence, in Germany, the fishermen call it the Doc-
GEN. ABRAMIS. THE BREAM.
65
tor-fish ; and hence this practical author makes this virtue the ostensible reason of its introduction into fresh- water preserves. The ingenious Moses Brown, in his Piscatory Eclogues has embodied this senti¬ ment, for against such authority we must not call it prejudice, as it respects the Pike, in the following lines : —
The Tench he spares —
For when by wounds distress’d, or sore disease,
He courts the salutary fish for ease ;
Close to his scales the kind physician glides,
And sweats the healing balsam from his sides.
Gen. LY. Abramis. — This genus has neither spines nor barbules ; the dorsal is short, and placed behind the ventral fin ; the base of the anal is long. There are several species on the continent of Eu¬ rope, where they abound, extending to a high lati¬ tude ; they have also been observed both in Asia and America. Three species are catalogued as British.
(Sp. 102.) A. hrama. The Bream, or Carp- bream, is by much the largest of the British spe¬ cies, being, in the language of I. Walton, a large and stately fish. Its specific characters will be elsewhere more minutely detailed. The prevailing colour is yellowish white, becoming darker with age ; the irides are golden yellow ; the cheeks and gill- covers silvery white ; the fins light-coloured, the pectorals and ventrals tinged with red, the others with brown. This fish thrives most in deep quiet rivers and large pieces of water, such as large
VOL. II. E
GO MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
lakes and canals. It occurs in the Regent’s Canal, and the Mole and Medway are celebrated for their Bream. The Lakes of Cumberland sometimes pro¬ duce it ; and in those of Ireland it has been known to attain a weight of from twelve to fourteen pounds. In Scotland it is but little known, Loch- maben being its only recorded habitat. Breams swim in shoals, feed on vegetables and soft animal food, are hardy, and grow rapidly. They spawn in May, when the females arc frequently followed by three or four males. At this time the scales are covered with what Mr. Pennant calls minute white tubercles, which causes them to feel rough to the hand, which, according to Mr. Yarrell, is nothing more than “ a periodical assumption which, as in the other Cyprinidae, disappears when the season of reproduction is past.”
The value of this fish as an article of food has, like the preceding, been differently stated, and pro¬ bably from the same causes. In these countries it is held in little estimation for the table, and when cultivated at all, it is chiefly to supply food to other fishes. On the Continent the very reverse is the case. I. Walton quotes with approbation the French proverb, “ lie that has Breams in his pond, may bid his friend welcome and we read in the Regne Animal, C'est un cissez Ion poisson, fort abondant , et quon multiplie aisement. Walton’s instructions for angling for this fish are minute and copious, ad¬ vising a careful study of the selected spot, an abun¬ dant supply of ground bait, and a visit witli fitted
GEN. ABRAMIS. TIIE WHITE BREAM. G 7
tackling to the water-side, about three or four o’clock in the morning ; “ but not too near, for they have a cunning sentinel, and are watchful themselves too.” The following is from Daniel’s account of a day’s fishing in Essex. “ The weather was cloudy, and the wind brisk : there were seven rods used by the party, and very frequently were there biters at them all at the same time. When a fish was hooked, and played at the top, or near the surface of the water, numbers were seen to follow him, and as soon as the hooks were fresh baited, were alike greedily taken : they averaged at least two pounds a fish ; and of these, from six in the morning till dusk in the evening, some hundred¬ weights were taken.
(Sp. 103.) A. blicca. White Bream, or Bream- flat, is a much smaller fish than the preceding, rarely exceeding ten or twelve inches. The upper parts of the body are silvery bluish white, without any of the golden lustre observable in the last spe¬ cies ; the iris is silvery white tinged with pink. This species, which in its tastes and habits resembles the Carp-bream, has been long. known on the Con¬ tinent, where it is very common, as far north as the lakes of Sweden ; and it has recently been detected in several localities in England ; first, by Mr. Shep¬ herd, in the Trent, as stated in the 14th vol. of the Linnean Transactions ; next by Mr. Jenyns, as very abundant, in the Cam ; and lastly by Mr. Lubbock, who has informed Mr. Yarrell that it is occasionally met with in some of the broads and rivers in Nor-
68 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
folk. This species is not esteemed for food, and is much prized only by other fish.
(Sp. 104.) A. Buggenhagii . The Pomeranian Bream derived its specific name from the individual who first sent it to Bloch, its original descyriber ; and Mr. Yarrell has called it Pomeranian Bream, very properly deeming it no objection to attach to this fish the name of the country in which it was discovered, though afterwards found elsewhere. Its introduction into the British Fauna we owe to Mr. Yarrell, who obtained from Mr. Brandon a fine spe¬ cimen, captured in a net at Dagenham Breach, Essex, in 1836. Mr. Thompson of Belfast had also obtained a specimen from the river Logan, near Belfast ; and Mr. Jenyns has since ascertained that it exists in Cambridgeshire. It is at once, says Mr. Yarrell, distinguished from either of the other species by the great thickness of the body, which is equal to half its depth ; while in either of our other Bream, the thickness of the body is equal to only one-third of its depth ; the scales are also larger in proportion, and different in shape. The anal fin is shorter than that of the White Bream, which, in its turn, is shorter, and has fewer rays than the Common Bream. The upper parts of the body are of a dark blackish blue, becoming lighter on the sides, and passing into silvery white on the belly ; the pectoral, dorsal, and caudal fins are bluish brown, tinged with pale red ; the ventral and anal, with less brown and more red.
Gen. LYI. Leuciscus. — In this genus the dorsal
GEN. LEUCISCUS. THE DOUBLE ROACH. 69
and anal fins are short, and there are no spines or barbules. It constitutes a group containing numer¬ ous, species, which are distinguished by the position of the dorsal fin. They are valued not so much for food as for bait. In the first sub-genus this fin is immediately above the ventrals.
(Sp. 105.) L. dobula. The Double Roach. This is the first species named in the Regne Animal, and is described as having a rounded muzzle, with red pectoral and ventral fins. According to Bloch, it rarely exceeds half a pound in weight, and feeds upon worms and aquatic mollusca ; it prefers clear rivers and large lakes, and spawns in March and April. It is known to inhabit the Oder, Elbe, Wescr, Rhine, and their tributaries. Its flesh is white, but full of bones, and it is little esteemed for the table. It was first catalogued as a British fish by Mr. Yarrell, who, while fishing in August 1831, in the Thames, below Woolwich, with the mouth of a white-bait net open against a strong flood tide, caught a single specimen ; and no other has been since observed. Mr. Yarrell’s specimen was six inches and a half long ; the upper parts of its body were dusky blue, becoming brighter on the sides, and passing into silvery white on the belly ; the dorsal and caudal fins were dusky brown, the pec¬ toral, ventral, and anal, pale orange ; irides orange ; cheeks and opcrcle, silvery white.
(Sp. 106.) L. idus. The Ide. The claims of this species to be considered as Britisli are very limited ; but we insert it, after the example of Mr.
70 MALACOP. ABDOM. CA11P FAMILY.
Yarrell, and with the same object, that we may assist in its future identification. The colours re¬ semble those of the preceding ; the head is not so broad, the back is higher, and the muzzle more con¬ vex : according to Bloch the anal fin has thirteen rays. This fish is found in the northern parts of Germany, in Russia, Denmark, Norway, and Swe¬ den, where it sometimes weighs between four and fi ve pounds. It inhabits clear fresh waters ; and its flesh is said to be white, tender, and of good flavour. All the information as yet collected respecting its existence in this country, is supplied by Mr. C. Stewart, who, in his Elements, 1817? says, that it was found in the mouth of the Nith by Dr. Walker, late Professor of Natural History in the Edinburgh U ni versity .
(Sp. 107.) L. rutilus. The Roach. The water- slieep, for his simplicity or foolishness. (Walton). — This species has a strong general resemblance to its congeners, having the body deep and compressed. The colour of the upper parts is dusky green, with blue reflections, becoming lighter on the sides, and passing into silvery white on the belly ; the iris is yellow, the cheeks and gill-covers silvery white ; the dorsal and caudal fins, pale brown ; the pectorals orange-red • the ventrals and anal bright red. Its usual weight is from a pound to a pound and a half. I. Walton states that the largest Roach in the king¬ dom are taken in the Thames, where many have been caught which have weighed two and a half pounds. Mr. Jesse mentions that the largest he
GEN. LEUCISCUS. THE ROACH. 71
had known weighed three pounds ; and Mr. Pen¬ nant informs us that the London fishmongers some¬ times see them as large as five pounds. It is a fish common throughout the temperate parts of Europe ; common too in many parts of England, and more rare in Scotland ; a specimen from which country, be it remarked, having been sent by Sir William Jardine to Mr. Yarrell, was found “ somewhat shorter and deeper than those of the South.” Mr. Wilson remarks that it follows the lines of our canals ; and may be caught in considerable quanti¬ ties at the eastern terminus of the Union Canal, in the western suburb of Edinburgh. Its habits are those of the family, having a preference for still rivers and lakes, seeking the deeper spots during the day, and feeding in the shallows at night ; re¬ tiring also during the winter, and ascending the shallows to spawn in May and June : it is very prolific. Mr. Jesse observes that the Roach, and other small fish, are perfectly aware of, and careful to avoid, those fish which prey upon them. Thus, he remarks, I have seen large Carp swim among a shoal of Roach without in the least disturbing them, while, if a Pike comes near them, they make oft in every direction.
Dr. Parnell repeats, though apparently from his own independent knowledge, the statement of the Statistical Account (vol. xvi.) of the Parishes of Rutherglcn and Kilbride, drawn up by the late incumbent, Air. Ure, that every summer, in the earlier part of May, immense shoals of Roach are
72 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
observed to leave Locli Lomond, to ascend the different tributary streams for the purpose of depo¬ siting their spawn. During this period, which seldom lasts more than three days, the rivers are literally swarming with their numbers, giving a fine green appearance to the whole surface of the water. On this occasion every basket and net in the neigh¬ bouring villages are immediately put into requisi¬ tion, and the thousands thus taken afford food for the villagers for a short period. It is remarked by anglers, that during the time these fish are in the streams, and for a week after their departure, no trout can be taken either with minnow, worm, or fly, in consequence of the favourite food at that time being the roe of the Roach.
This, fish which is stated to be in the best con¬ dition in October, is not much sought for the table. It is often, however, used, as appears above, in Scotland ; and also in London : it is very bony, and is most prized for making excellent soup.
The Roach seems eminently a fresh-water fish ; and yet several facts have been collected which ap¬ pear to show that, like many others of its class, its habits, in this point, may undergo many decided changes. Mr. Donovan, in his History of Bri¬ tish FisnES, informs us that in the river Thames one wTas caught about the middle of May, or early in June, when these fish come up in shoals from the sea to deposit their spawn in the higher parts of the river. But, remarks Mr. Yarrell, the Roach, in this instance, came only from the direction of the.
GEN. LEUCISCUS. THE ROACH. 73
sea, not, I apprehend, from the sea itself. I have never known a Roach to be taken in the sea, into which the fish had entered voluntarily. Colonel Montague also, when commenting, in his manu¬ script, upon Mr. Donovan’s statement as above re¬ ported, expresses his belief that the Roach could not exist in sea- water at all ; mentioning the follow¬ ing fact which came under his own observation. In a small river that runs into a large piece of water of nearly two miles of extent, close to the sea, on the south coast of Devon, there is no out¬ let but by means of percolation through the shingle which forms the barrier between it and the sea. In this situation Roach thrive and multiply beyond all example. About eight or nine years ago, the sea broke its boundary, and flowed copiously into the lake, at every tide, for a considerable time, by which every species of fish was destroyed. So be it, replies the facetious author of “ The Rod but this fact is by no means of a conclusive nature, in as far as there may be an essential difference in relation to the effect upon a fish’s constitution, be¬ tween a forced and sudden, and a voluntary and graduated contact with saline waters. In the latter case, there is a physiological expectation or prepara¬ tion for the change, and we doubt if even Salmon, so remarkable for their lono- and vivacious continu- ance in both conditions of the liquid element, would suddenly suffer a sea change with entire impunity, or enjoy the vice versa if instantaneously transported from Ocean’s blue profound, and plunged over head
74 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
and cars into a cauldron linn. In confirmation of this view we have the express testimony of Dr. Parnell, that in the Solway Firth he has seen, in the month of June, five examples of this fish taken in salmon-nets ; and he was moreover informed by the fishermen, that in the early parts of the season, these fish were frequently captured after the flood. Upon the whole, we fear that upon this point we may still repeat what was written by the Father of Experimental Philosophy about two hundred and fifty years ago, “ I doubt there hath not been suffi¬ cient experiment made of putting sea-fish into fresh¬ water ponds and pools. It is a thing of great use and pleasure ; for so you may have them new at some good distance from the sea : and besides, it may be, the fish will eat the pleasanter, and may fall to breed.” (Sylva Sylvarum , century 8, § 703.)
(Sp. 108.) L. vulgaris. rihe Dace bears a strong resemblance, both in appearance and habits to the Roach : it is not, however, generally so large, seldom exceeding eight or ten inches ; it is also more elongated. The colour of the upper parts is dusky blue, pale on the sides, white on the belly; the iris is straw-coloured ; with the pectoral, ventral, and anal fins almost white, but tinged with pale red. This fish, we believe, has never been observed in Scotland ; but it is common in England, and on the Continent ; though scarcely so much as the Roach. It prefers the deep waters of quiet streams, where it is lively and frolicksome : it is gregarious, and spawns, according to Mr. Yarrell, in June. Its
GEN. LEUCISCUS. THE GRAINING. 7^
flesh, though preferred to that of Roach, is still not much esteemed. In some parts of England it is known under the names of Dart and Dare .
(Sp. 109.) L. Lancastriensis. The Graining. Mr. Pennant, we believe, was the first to direct attention to this fish, which he found in the Mersey, and remarked that it resembled the Dace, but was more slender, and with a straighter back : its usual length he found about seven inches and a half ; its colour on the back silvery, with a bluish cast ; the iris red ; also the ventral and anal fins, but paler than those of the Dace ; the pectoral redder. The Earl of Derby, President of the Zoological Society, having presented some specimens of this fish to Mr. Yarrell, from the streams in Knowsley Park, we are supplied with some additional information by our eminent Ichthyologist. Several of the tribu¬ taries of the Mersey supply considerable numbers, and he regards it as a distinct species. In its habits and food it resembles the Trout, frequenting both the rapid and the still parts of the stream ; but it is not known to exist in ponds. Like Dace and Trout, it is fished with artificial flies, which it often takes with sufficient avidity. They sometimes, but not commonly, exceed half a pound in weight, and are much better eating than the Dace. Mr. Thompson of Belfast mentions that he saw several small speci¬ mens of this fish in the Learn, near Leamington ; which M. Agassiz immediately recognized as identi¬ cal with a species inhabiting some of the lakes in
76 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
Switzerland. It has never been noticed, we believe, either in Ireland or in Scotland.
(Sp. 116.) L. cephalus. The Chub or Shelly. This, according to Mr. Tennant, is a very coarse fish, 44 I will make it, however,” says Piscator, “ a good fish, by dressing;” to which Venator responds, “ ’Tis as good meat as I ever tasted.” ( Apud I. Walton.) The Chub has a thick body, and a broad and round snout ; whence its name. The upper jaw is the largest : the top of the head is of a blackish brown colour ; the cheeks and gill- covers are golden yellow ; the upper part of the back bluish black ; and the sides bluish white, passing into silvery white on the belly. The dorsal and caudal fins are dusky, the pectorals reddish brown, the ventral and anal reddish white, the irides golden yellow. Mr. Pennant states that he has known some which have weighed upwards of five pounds, and Salviani speaks of them as reaching eight and nine pounds.
This fish is rather common in England and Wales; and Annan, in Scotland, is assigned as a habitat. At Carlisle, and in many parts in the neighbour¬ hood of the English lakes, it is called the Skelly, on account of its large scales ; while, in other parts, the name is, not so appropriately, applied to the Guyniad. It frequents the deep holes of rivers, and, during the summer, commonly lies on the sur¬ face, beneath the shade of some tree or bush. It is a very timid fish, sinking to the bottom on the least
GEN. LEUCISCUS. THE RED-EYE. 77
alarm, even at the passing of a shadow, but it will soon resume its former position ; it feeds upon worms and insects, and will rise at a fly. Mr. Jesse mentions that, of the fresh-water fish confined in his Piscatorium in Bushy Park, the Chub, after the Trout, was the most restless, being continually on the move : at the same time, they could never resist a cockchaffer when thrown in their way. Dr. Iley sham, in the catalogue of Cumberland animals affixed to Hutchisons History, states that it is very plentiful in that county ; and that the boys make a paste of bread and some narcotic, which they throw into the holes of the rivers they fre¬ quent ; this the Skclly greedily devours, becomes intoxicated, and is thus captured in great numbers. Broiling it with the scales still on, is one of the best methods of preparing it for the table.
(Sp. 111.) L. erythrophthalmus. The Bed- Eye, or Rudd. The second sub-genus of Leuciscus, ac¬ cording to the Regne Animal, has the dorsal fin placed in the interval between the ventral and anal fins. Four British species belong to the category, and the first is the one just named. The name Red-Eye has been assigned to it from the colour of the iris ; that of Rudd is stated to be derived from the golden coppery tint which ornaments the whole surface. Roud is its name in Norfolk ; Shallow in Cambridgeshire ; and it is the Fmscale of Wil- lughby. It is a common fish on the Continent of Europe, and also in England ; Willughby recorded
78 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
it as being found in the lakes of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and in the river Chirwell in Oxford¬ shire ; it is also common in the Thames and in other waters near London, and in the Stour. Mr. Yarrell mentions that ho has seen some dozens together for sale in Hungerford Market ; and Mr. Jaques, that it is very abundant in some parts of the Cam and in the Broads of Norfolk. Specimens are obtained in Lough Neagh, in Ireland, where it is universally called the Roach. Mr. Stewart has, in his Ele¬ ments, catalogued it as having been met with in Scotland ; but we have seen no satisfactory evidence of the fact.
The body of the Red-Eye is deep, and the lower- jaw is the longest. Its length is twelve or fourteen inches ; and its weight almost two pounds. Its colouring is thus minutely described by Mr. Yarrell. The iris orange-red; cheeks and gill-covers golden yellow ; upper part of the back brown, tinged with grey and blue ; the sides paler ; the belly light golden yellow ; the whole surface of the body tinged with a brilliant reddish golden hue, varying when viewed in different positions in reference to the light ; the fins more or less bright cinnabar-red, particularly in the specimens from the Thames, Cambridgeshire, and Lough Neagh ; dorsal and caudal fins not so bright in the colour, as the fins of the under surface. The Rudd is very tenacious of life ; it is also hardy and prolific ; and is hence use¬ ful as food for more favourite fish. Although using
GEN. LEUCISCUS. THE AZURINE AND BLEAK. 7$
the same food, it is much more esteemed than the Roach. It spawns in April and May, at whicli period the scales are rough to the hand.
(Sp. 112.) L. coeruleus The Azurine. For the introduction of this species we are indebted to Mr. Yarrell, who received it, along with the Graining, from the Earl of Derby. It occurs in certain limited localities in the neighbourhood of Knowsley, and in the district receives the name of the Blue Roach. M. Agassiz stated that this fish is an inhabitant likewise of some of the Swiss lakes. It is hardy, tenacious of life, and spawns in May. The flesh is said to be firm and of good flavour. The largest observed specimen did not exceed one pound in weight. This fish is at once distinguished from the Red-eye, by the slate-blue colour of the back, the silvery white of the abdomen, its white fins ; and by the iris being tinged a pale straw colour.
(Sp. 1 13.) L. alburnus. The Bleak, or Blick. The body of this species is of an elongated and nar- rowT form, the forehead straight, and the lower jaw somewdiat extended ; the tail much forked ; in length it seldom exceeds six or eight inches. Its colour is a light green, or ash-brown, tinged with blue ; the sides, cheeks, gill-covers, and abdomen, shining silvery white ; the iris silvery, sometimes tinged with yellow ; and all the fins nearly white. It is very abundant throughout Europe, and is common in England, being frequent in the Thames and other rivers near London. Sibbald names it as a native of Scotland ; but we are not aware of any
80 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
more recent authority for its occurrence. These fishes swim in great shoals, and spawn in May, when their scales are rough to the touch. Their habits are active and gay. “ Of all my pets,” says Mr. Jesse, “ in Bushy Park, the Bleak were the most amusing and playful. Their activity could not be exceeded ; and it gave me much pleasure to see them, on a summer’s evening, dart at every little fly that settled on the water near them ; ap¬ pearing always restless, and yet always happy.” This always , however, must be taken with some limitation. “ These fish,” as remarked by Mr. Pen¬ nant, “ seem at certain seasons to be in great ago¬ nies ; they tumble about near the surface of the water, and are incapable of swimming far from the place, but in about two hours they recover and dis¬ appear.” The fish, when thus affected, the Thames fishermen call Mad-bleaks ; and it is conjectured that they are then peculiarly annoyed by some parasitic animal. Aristotle alludes to a diseaso of fishes of this description ; but, according to him, they rise to the surface and die.
Artificial Pearls, being made from a pigment, either the rete mucosum or the tubercular exuda¬ tion, procured from this and other allied fish, we shall here allude to the circumstance. On the inner cutaneous surface of the Bleak, Roach, Dace, White-bait, and similar fishes, is found a silvery pigment, producing the lustre which their scales possess. The ornaments manufactured from it bore the name of patent pearls, and their use was uni-
ARTIFICIAL PEARLS. R1
versal in the bead trade, being employed in the manufacture of necklaces, ear-drops, &c. So great formerly was the demand at particular times, that the price of the quart measure of fish- scales varied from one guinea to five. The Thames fishermen caught the fish, took off the side-scales, and threw them immediately into the river again ; and it was the custom of hawkers, regularly before selling any of these fish, to set apart the scales for the bead- makers. The method of obtaining and using the pigment was, first, thoroughly to clean the scales by exposing them to a current of water, and then to soak them for a time ; after which the colouring matter was deposited. When thus procured, small glass tubes were dipped in the pigment, and injected into thin blown hollow glass beads, of various forms and sizes. These were then spread upon sieves and dried in a current of air. If greater weight and firm¬ ness were required, a further injection of wax was practised. Of this pigment the White-bait afford the most delicate and beautiful variety, and used to obtain the highest price ; the Bleak was next in esteem, and the Roach and Dace the least valuable. The French were the inventors of the art ; and Dr. Listre informs us, that one artist in Paris, during the course of the winter, used thirty ham- per-fulls of these Bleak scales in this manufacture. Additional details of this curious art will be found in Mr. Yarrcll’s more ample pages.
(Sp. 114.) L. phoxinus. The Minnow or Pink. We have already had occasion to allude to this pretty
VOL. II. F
82 MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
little fish, in relation both to the varying colours it assumes and the parasitic fungi to which it some¬ times becomes the victim (Yol. I. pp. 80, 85, and 89). It is common on the continent of Europe, in England, and the southern parts of Scotland ; Dr. Parnell remarking that it does not seem to exist in the northern parts of the country, as not a single specimen was observed by the party of Naturalists who lately visited the different lakes and rivers in Sutherlandshire. It is, however, found in some of the tributaries of the Dee, becoming more plentiful as we advance southwards. It inhabits all the rivers entering the Forth, among others the Water of Leith, and is very common around Edinburgh. Besides rivers, it also frequents brooks, canals, and ditches, preferring generally gravelly bottoms, and swimming in shoals in trouting streams. It usually makes its appearance in March and disappears in October, seeming to delight in warmth and sunshine. The winter months appear to be passed under the sheltering banks, or buried beneath the gravel. Its habits are active and amusing. A gentleman on one occasion, crossing a brook, saw from a foot¬ bridge, something like a flower, near the bottom. Observing it attentively, he remarks, I found that it consisted of a circular assemblage of minows, their heads all meeting in the centre, and their tails di¬ verging at equal distances. One was larger than the rest, and when any straggler came in sight, he quitted his place in pursuit, and having driven it away, returned to his place, no other minnow offer-
GEN. COBITIS. THE LOACH.
88
ing to take it in his absence. This I saw, he adds, several times. The cause of attraction was a dead minnow, which they seemed to be devouring. Like the Gold-fish, they are often imprisoned in a glass vase, where they are easily tamed, and taught to pick flies and filaments of beef from the hand. Even here they are active and sportful, but never outlive three years. In the county of Devon, it is not an uncommon occurrence, by making small bays, and by the aid of a net, to procure from a peck to a peck and a half of these fish in an hour. They are consi¬ dered very palatable, being sweet and well flavoured, equalling any fresh-water fish as food, being cooked whole. Issac Waltons receipt, however, reads dif¬ ferently. Being washed well in salt, and their heads and tails cut off, and being gutted, they are fried, with yoke of eggs, the flowers of cowslips, and of primroses, and a little tansy. Thus used, he adds, they make a dainty dish of meat.
Gen. LVII. Cobitis. — This genus has the head small, the body elongated, clad with small scales, and bedewed with a thick mucous secretion ; the ventrals are placed far back, and over them there is a single small dorsal. The mouth is small, without teeth, but with lips capable of sucking, and fur¬ nished with barbnles. The air-bladder is enclosed in a bony sheath. Three species are enumerated in the Regne Animal as European ; no less than twenty-three are catalogued by Mr. M‘Lelland, as discovered in India. (Loc. cit. viii.) Two species only are known as British.
84
MALACOP. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
(Sp. 115.) C. barbatula. The Loach, Lochc, or Beardie. Tliis species will be always readily distin¬ guished by the snout being furnished with six cirri, and the nose being destitute of spines. The head, body, and sides, are clouded and spotted with brown upon a yellowish white ground ; the under surface is white ; all the fins are spotted with dark brown ; the iris is blue. It is common in Europe, including England and Scotland ; and it has been noticed in the county of Dublin. It prefers streams where the bottom is gravelly and covered with largo stones, under which it lurks, and so being often overlooked, it is sometimes considered scarce ; it seldom exceeds four inches in length : it feeds upon worms and aquatic insects, spawns early in spring, and is very prolific. When the rivers become muddy, says Dr. Parnell, and much increased in size by rain, these fish leave the middle of the streams, and seek re¬ fuse under the banks and small tufts of grass, where they are taken in nets by anglers, and are prized as bait for Trout. They seldom move three inches cut of their way to take a bait, howTever tempting, but seize it with great eagerness when placed before their nose. They are often eaten as a dainty morsel,
and bv some are said to rival the minnow as food.
«/
They are occasionally preserved in the same manner as anchovies, and considered superior both in flavour and richness. On account of the high estimation in which they are held, they are frequently transported in some parts of Europe, with considerable trouble, from the rivers they naturally inhabit, to waters
GEN. COBITIS. TIIE SPINED LOACH. 85
contiguous to the estates of the wealthy. Thus Linnaeus, in his Fauna Suesicca, mentions that Frederick I., king of Sweden, had them brought from Germany and naturalized in his own coun¬ try.
(Sp. 116.) C. taenia , Linn., Bloch, Cuv. ; Botia taenia , Gray, Yarrell. The spined Loach or Ground¬ ling. It will be perceived that Mr. Yarrell, whose able arrangement we wish generally to follow, has adopted Mr. Gray's suggestion of separating the Loaches with suborbital spines from those which are destitute of these singular appendages. To this we in the mean time demur, fearing we should otherwise have to retrace our steps ; and this on the ground that Mr. M‘Lelland, who, in the native haunts of the family, has assiduously been studying and most successfully arranging it, rejects the pro¬ posal, and has resorted to another classification, which, in all probability, will ere long be universally adopted. He divides the old genus into two sub¬ genera, Colitis propria, with the caudal fin entire ; and Schistura , when it is divided into two lobes, or is bifid, as in the ordinary Cyprines ; other impor¬ tant items, such as the internal structure, as well as the colouring, marking the distinction. The pro¬ portion of the ascertained species in India is twelve of the former to fourteen of the latter.
This fish is much less common in Britain than the preceding. It was introduced into our Fauna by Berkenhout, as residing in the Trent, and in lakes and ponds. Turton mentions that it is found
88 MALACor. ABDOM. CARP FAMILY.
in the clear streams of Wiltshire, and Mr. Jenyns has met with it in considerable numbers in the Cam, and in fish-ponds at Ely ; Mr. Thompson, also, has found it in Warwickshire. Its existence in Scotland has by no means been satisfactorily ascertained, Dr. Parnell only saying, I rather think that a specimen came under my observation in the Teith, but I failed in obtaining it. The form of the body is more elongated, slender, and compressed, than that of the Barbatula ; the nose more pointed ; the pectorals longer and narrower. The colours are similar ; but a row of dark spots, ranged along the sides, is more conspicuous. It seldom exceeds three inches in length ; it spawns in April or May, depositing its ova among stones at the bottom of the stream.
XIV. THE PIKE FAMILY. ESOCID/E.
Representatives in British Fauna . — Gen. 5, Sp. 6.
Gen. 59. Esox. . Sp. 117 .E. Indus. . The Pike.
60. Belone. . 118 . B. vulgaris. . The Garfish.
61. Scomberesox. 11 9. S. sciimis. . The Saury-pike.
62. Hemiramphus. 120. H. Europoeus The Half Beak/
63. Exocilus . . 121 . E.volitans. . The Flying-fish.
122. E. exiliens. The Great Do.
The second family of Order II. of the Osseous Fishes, Malacoptergii Aldominales, is distinguished by being destitute of an adipose fin, by having its upper jaw formed by the intermaxillary bone, and, when this is not the case, by the maxillary itself being without teeth, and hid in the substance of the lip. The fishes belonging to it are voracious ; their intestine is short and without casca ; and all of them have an air-bladder. Many of them ascend rivers. All that are known, with one exception, the Micros - toma , have the dorsal fin opposite the anal one. It is composed of many genera, not half of which have representatives in the British seas. The first we mention belongs to the
Gen. LIX. Esox. — The Proper Pikes are charac¬ terized by small intermaxillary bones in the uppor jaw ; of which they form two-thirds, and which are armed with small pointed teeth, while the maxil- laries on the sides have none ; the vomer, palatals,
88
MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
tongue, pharynx, and gill-arches, are also studded with small teeth ; and upon the side of the lower jaw there is a row of long pointed teeth. Their muzzle is oolong, obtuse, broad, and depressed. They have but one dorsal fin, which is opposite the anal ; their air-bladder is very large. Europe pos¬ sesses only one species of this genus ; Africa and Asia are more productive, and several species are catalogued by Dr. Richardson as belonging to North America. Our Common Pike is one of these, but it is confined to the eastern side of the rocky moun¬ tains.
(Sp. 1 17.) E. Indus. The Common Pike ; Jack ; Pickwell ; Luce ; Gidd. “ The Shark of the fresh waters.” (Lacepede.) Numerous are the appel¬ lations which have been applied to the Pike, upon which, however, it is unnecessary to dwell. The term Jack is applied to the young fish under a foot or two feet in length. Luce, or Lucie , from the Latin Lucius , has long been used in English literature, and is the Lucia of heraldry. The epithets which have been applied to it, such as the Fresh¬ water Shark, by Lacepede ; the Tyrant of Fresh- waters, by Walton, express its well-marked and most striking trait.
On the specific characters of a fish so familiarly known, it is unnecessary to enlarge. Its body is elongated, and nearly uniform in depth from the head to the commencement of the dorsal fin. The surface is covered with minute scales, and the lateral line is indistinct : the dorsal fin is placed
GEN. ESOX. THE COMMON PIKE.
89
very far back, and begins in a vertical line above the vent ; the pectoral and ventral fins are small ; the caudal rays long and forked. The head is elongated and depressed, the gape wide ; the teeth in the vomer are small, those in the palatines larger, those of the lower jaw the largest. The colour of the head and upper part of the back is a dusky olive-brown, becoming lighter and mottled with green and yellow on the sides, passing into silvery white on the abdomen : the pectoral and ventral fins are pale brown, the dorsal, anal, and caudal somewhat darker, and mottled with white, yellow, and dark green ; the iris yellow. When in high condition Mr. Pennant states that their colouring is very fine, being spotted with bright yellow which often assumes a golden brilliancy ; when out of season the green changes to grey, and the yellow spots turn pale. In certain waters, the fish becomes yellow, with black spots, when it is called the King of the Pikes, and is much esteemed ; and ac¬ cording to Sclnvenckfeld, some arc perfectly white. They spawn in spring, the exact period differing according to their age and the temperature. At that season those which are in lakes and ponds try to ascend the rivers and approach the shore ; and at this time the parent fish arc so much occupied, and so inattentive to every thing else, that they may be almost caught with the hand.
The Pike has a very extensive distribution, being well known over the greater part of Europe and Asia : concerning America, Dr. Richardson states
90
MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
that it is the only fresh-water fish which is un¬ doubtedly common to the two continents ; and it is curious that it is unknown to the westward of the ltocky Mountains, upon the coast that ap¬ proaches nearest to the Old World. It is very familiarly known throughout the British Isles, pre¬ ferring rivers of a sluggish character, but also thriv¬ ing in lakes and ponds. It is a great feeder, and is said thus to grow fast, and speedily to attain a considerable size. Bloch says that the young reach the length of eight or ten inches in the course of their first year, to twelve or fourteen in their second, and to eighteen or twenty in their third, and there are proofs on record that from this last size, Pike, if well supplied with food, will grow at the rate of four pounds a year for six or seven successive years. Pliny considered the Pike as the longest lived, and likely to attain the largest size of any fresh- water fish. From two to three feet is a common size ; and it often reaches a much greater. Mr. Pennant mentions that the largest fish of this species he had ever heard of in England weighed thirty-five pounds, although the one mentioned by Dr. Plat, as taken in the Thames, which measured an ell and two inches, that is, forty-five inches, or almost four feet, must have weighed much more. (Plat’s Hist, of Staffordshire, 246, a. Walton, 136.) Mr. Yarrell states that Pike have been killed in Ilorsea Mere from twenty-eight to thirty-four pounds each. In Scotland these dimensions have sometimes been doubled. Dr. Grierson mentions one killed in Loch
GEN. ESOX. THE COMMON PIKE.
91
Ken which weighed sixty-one pounds (The Rod, 61) ; and Dr. Bushnan has already related, in the second volume of this Series, that Colonel Thornton, of sporting celebrity, caught one by trolling in Loch- Awe, after a struggle of one hour and a quarter, which weighed fifty pounds : it measured exactly four feet four inches from eye to fork, and, jaws and tail included, could scarcely be less than five feet. “ So dreadful a forrest of teeth or tusks,” ex¬ claims the Colonel, “ I think I never beheld also that another was taken in a loch in Galloway of the enormous size of seventy-two pounds, which the Doctor understands rose at an artificial fly (Nat. Lib. Ichthy. ii. 202) ; while Mr. Selby states “ we have seen a record of a Pike taken in Loch-Lomond of seventy-nine pounds weight (Mag. of Zool. and Bot. 391.) Some of the Irish lakes are said to have afforded Pikes of equal dimensions ; and in colder countries they appear to attain a still greater size. Those of four or five feet, says Mr. Griffith, are not rare in the numerous lakes of the north of Europe, and in the great rivers of the north of Asia ; and Dr. Brand, on his estate near Berlin, caught one which measured seven feet in length (Loc. cit. p. 467) ; the largest of those taken in Lapland, ac¬ cording to Dr. Schoeffer, as quoted by Pennant, extend sometimes to eight feet ; they are dried and exported in great quantities ; while Bloch examined the skeleton of one which could not, in his estima¬ tion, have been at all less ; and finally, in the Lon¬ don newspapers for the year 1765, it was stated
92
MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
that at the Lillishall Limeworks, near Newport, a pool about nine yards deep, which had not been fished for ages, was drained, when an enormous Pike was drawn up, amidst hundreds of spectators ; it weighed 170 lbs., and was thought to be the largest ever seen.
The Longevity of this fish also is very remark- able. Rzaczvnski, as quoted by Pennant, tells us of one which was ninety years old ; and the extra¬ ordinary story related by Gesner, thanks to his respectability, has ever since been faithfully copied, not to say credited, by nearly all subsequent Ich¬ thyologists. It runs thus: — That, in the year 1499, a Pike was taken near Hailbrun, in Suabia, with a brazen ring affixed to it (of which a representation is given in Gesner), in which were these words in Greek characters, “ I am a fish which was first of all put into this lake, by the hands of the Governor of the universe, Frederick II., the 5th of October, 1233;” whence it was inferred that it was 264 years old ; and it was said to weigh 350 lbs. (Sir J. Hawkins, a. Walton, p. 134.) One would naturally feel incredulous on the point ; but Gesner adds that its skeleton was long preserved at Manheim as a great curiosity.
That it is a great feeder, has been allowed, and the stories of its boldness and voracity are quite ex¬ traordinary. The appetite, says Mr. Jesse, of one of my pikes, five pounds weight, in the preserve of Bushy Park was almost insatiable. One morning I threw to him, one after another, five roach, each
GEN. ESOX. THE COMMON PIKE. 03
of about four inches in length. He swallowed four of them, and kept the fifth in his mouth for about a quarter of an hour, when it also disappeared. Eight pike, of about five pounds each, tenanted this preserve, and out of eight hundred gudgeons which were counted into the reservoir, there were scarcely any to be seen at the end of three weeks, though some Barbel and Perch probably had their share. Old Bowlker gives a still more striking illustration of this trait, as follows. “ My father caught a pike in Barn-meer Cheshire, an ell long, (three feet nine inches), and of thirty-five pounds weight, which he brought to Lord Cholmonly, who ordered it to be turned into a canal in the garden, wherein were abundance of several sorts of fish. About twelve- months afterwards, the canal was drawn, and this pike was found to have devoured all the fish except a large carp, of between nine and ten pounds weight, and it was bitten in several places. The pike was then put into the canal again, together with abun¬ dance of fish, all of which he devoured in less than a year’s time ; and he was then observed to take ducks and other water-fowl under water; whereupon they shot magpies and crows, which the pike took before their eyes; being soon after neglected, he died, as supposed, from want of food.” Frogs, water- rats, water-hens, and other fowl, often become its prey. In default, says Mr. Yarrell, of a sufficient quantity of other fishes to satisfy them, moor-hens, ducks, and indeed any animal of small size, whether alive or dead, are constantly consumed.
94
MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
And their boldness in all this is astonishing. 44 I have seen,” says Mr. Jesse, 44 one follow a bait within a foot of the spot where I have been standing.” “ Upon one occasion,” says Mr. Colqnhoun, 44 when playing a good sized trout in Loch Dronkie, an enormous pike made several dashes, and at last suc¬ ceeded in seizing it. I used every effort to frighten him away ; but so determined was he, that, though I could see him quite plainly in shallow water, with my trout held across his tremendous jaws, he would not be beat off ; and at last when kicking the water, I strained my line, he gave a plunge, broke my rod, and escaped with his prey.” (The Moor and the Loch, 114). But they are even more bold than this. Major Payne, now residing at Weybridge in Surrey, says Mr. Jesse, informed me that, walking one day by the side of the river Wcy, he saw a large pike in a shallow creek. ITe immediately pulled off his coat, tucked up his sleeves, and went into the water to intercept the return of the fish to the river, and to endeavour to throw it upon the bank, by get¬ ting his hand beneath it. During the attempt, the pike finding he could not make his escape, seized one of the major s arms, and lacerated it pretty con¬ siderably. With a well known facetious writer on Natural History, we add, 44 we think the fish was right." Mr. Jesse, moreover, states that the head- keeper of Richmond Park, assured him he was one day washing his hand at the side of a boat, in the great pond in that park, when a pike made a dart at it, and he had but just time to withdraw it.
GEN. ESOX. THE COMMON PIKE.
95
Hence we are not to wonder if washer- women, in following their avocation in the water, are sometimes assailed by this greedy fish. And if thus they do not respect the lord himself of this lower world, we cannot be surprised that the lower animals fare worse. “ I have been assured,” says I. Walton, “ by my friend Mr. Seagrave, who keeps the otters, that he has known a Pike, in extreme hunger, fight with one of his otters for a carp which the otter had caught, and was then bringing out of the water. My authority, he adds, is a person of credit, and I conclude with the wise saw, that it is a hard thing to persuade the belly, because it has no ears.” “ At Lord Gower’s canal at Trentliam, as Mr. Pennant was assured on good authority, a Pike seized the head of a swan as she was feeding under water, and gorged so much of it, as killed both. The servant perceiving the swan with its head under water for a longer time than usual, took the boat, and found both swan and Pike dead.”
With such a foe as this fresh-water wolf, even the fox may be entrapped. “ A cub fox drinking out of the river Arnus, in Italy, had his head seized by a mighty Pike, so that neither could free himself but were engrappled together. During the contest, a young man runs into the water, takes them out both alive, and carries them to the palace of the Duke of Florence, hard by. (Apud Walton). And once more, we have the tale of the poor mule, “ which it has been known to pull into the water by its nose ! !” So says our facetious author ; and it is
96 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
a pity certainly to spoil so good a story. Where lie got this version of the incident we know not ; but against it we must put that of old Gesner, as pro¬ bably coming nearer the mark. “ His devouring disposition is so keen, that a man going to a pond to water his mule, had the Pike bite his mule by the lips ; to which the Pike hung so fast, that the mule drew him out of the water, and by that acci¬ dent the owner of the mule angled out the Pike.”
This extreme voracity of the Pike makes it a question how far it is expedient to introduce it into preserves along with other fish ; and many have advised it should be carefully excluded and removed. This, however, we believe is carrying the matter too far. With respect to natural wa¬ ters, hear Mr. Colquhoun’s sensible remarks : — “ Many people think a loch injured by Pike : on the contrary ; unless very numerous, I have sel¬ dom seen one worth fishing without them. If a man prefers killing eight or nine dozen, with scarcely a half-pounder among them, to a dozen fine trout, from half a pound to three pounds weight, then he may count the Pike his enemy ; but the latter feat will botli better prove his skill, and afford him much better sport. The reason why your trout are always large where there are Pike is obvious ; the small fry are always devoured by the latter, and the others having more food, increase in size. A few years ago Loch Katrine was choke-full of very small trout, which have gradually become larger since Pike have been introduced ; and now, two or
GEN. ESOX. THE COMMON PIKE. 97
three dozen fine red trout may be taken in a day.” (L. c. 113). These enlightened views, thus reached by the sagacious sportsman, coincide with those of the scientific breeder : and accordingly Mr. Boccius directs that to every acre of water, you put in two hundred brood carp, twenty brood tench, twenty jack, all of one season’s spawn ; the jack with all its voracity being absolutely necessary to cheek un¬ due increase, whereby deficiency of food would create a famine and impoverish all.
The relative power of the Pike, Walton’s tyrant of fresh water fishes, and the salmon, his king of fishes, is different from what, considering the formi¬ dable armour and furious character of the former, we should be led to infer. Thus, we are informed by Mr. Mudie, editor of the English edition of the Regne Animal, that it is generally said, that not¬ withstanding the havoc which the Pike commits among smaller fishes, it will not stand the attack of a trout of equal weight, the immense velocity of the latter fish in swimming giving it a decided ad¬ vantage. (L. c. 315).
In Mr. Yarrell’s admirable work will be found a detailed account of the method of fishing Pike with trimmers, or liggers, as they are provincially called, “ affording great diversion,” in ITorsea Mere and Heigham Sounds, covering a surface of about six hun¬ dred acres, in Norfolk, and which in four days’ sport produced two hundred and fifty-six Pikes, weigh¬ ing together eleven hundred and thirty- five pounds. Substantially the same method is sometimes prac-
VOL. II. G
98
MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
tised in the Scotch lochs. “ Set lines,” says Mr. Col- quhoun, “ is the most deadly way to capture Pike, and this either with a long line with many hooks, or with single hooks fixed to a bottle, or other equal buoyant float. After very tightly corking the bottles, and fastening the cord to them, long, accord¬ ing to the depth of the water, fix your baited hook. The best time for this amusement is on one of those delicious evenings with scarcely a breath of air, when the shadow of the mountain becomes more imposing on the unrippled loch, and twilight be¬ gins to steal over the scene. Let the hour of the beetle be your warning bell. Having arranged your tackle, place them orderly in a light two-oared boat, and row to the weedy bay. You will now drop them, one by one, about twenty yards apart, out¬ side the weeds, between the shallow and the deep. The Tike has been basking all the sultry day in the shallows, and are just emerging from their grey covering in search of food. The first object that ar¬ rests their hungry eyes and craving stomachs is your tantalizing bait, suspended at such a distance from the surface as to excite no apprehension, and perfectly still. With avidity it is seized and pouched ; down goes the bottle : scarcely perhaps has it dis¬ appeared, when another follows its example; and it is nothing uncommon to have four or five all bub¬ bling up and down at the same time. 4 The sport’ now begins, the angler stretching to his oars, first after one, then another, as they alternately rise and sink. If large Pike are hooked, they will often
GEN. ESOX. THE COMMON PIKE. 99
keep their tormentor under water for an hour at a time ; and to run the ichole down is no contemptible evening’s exercise. I have also heard, says the same intelligent writer, of tying baited hooks to the legs of geese, and turning them adrift : when the Pike seizes the bait, the goose begins to flap its wings, and there is often ‘ considerable sport’ in the strug¬ gle.” Here then, we have severally “ sport, con¬ siderable sport, and great diverson,” with the goose, bottle, and ligger, at the expense of the poor Pike, which, however, it has often been demonstrated ! feels no pain ! ! On such sport we have already ventured to express our sentiments.
As an article of food, the merits of the Pike have been much disputed. Edward I. fixed its value in England higher than that of fresh salmon, and more, ten times told, than that of the best turbot or cod. In the reign of Henry VIII. again, a large Pike sold for double the price of a house-lamb in February, and a Pickerel for more than a fat capon. “ We do not think highly of its flesh,” says the author of The Rod: by some, says the author of the second volume of our series, it is esteemed supe¬ rior even to salmon : “ to do the Pike justice,” says the Doctor, “ we seldom tasted a more delicious fish.” Season, condition, and the culinary art have, we believe, more influence than is generally con¬ ceded them. Upon the last article, old Isaac Wal¬ ton is kind enough to communicate one of his rare secrets ; “ If the direction to catch a fish do you no good, yet I am certain the direction how to roast
100 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
him when lie is caught is choicely good, for I have tried it. First open your Pike at the gills, and gut him ; keep his liver, with which shred thyme, sweet marjoram, and a little winter savoury ; to these put some pickled oysters and some anchovies, two or three ; to these you add sweet-butter and salt ; these must be used as stuffing : then lie is spitted and roasted very leisurely, often basted with claret, anchovies, and butter.” But we cannot get through this long rigmarole, and conclude with the summa- tion. “ This dish of meat is much too good for any but anglers or very honest men ; I trust you will prove both, and therefore I have trusted you with the secret.”
Gen. LX. Belone. — The head and body of tin? genus are greatly elongated, and the latter is covered within minute scales; both jaws are much pro¬ duced, and armed with numerous teeth ; the dorsal fin is placed over the anal, and both are entire. The genus is somewhat numerous throughout the ocean, though its existence in the American seas does not appear to be quite ascertained : some reach the length of eight feet, and are said to bite very severely. One species is familiarly known in Euro¬ pean and British seas ; it is
(Sp. 118.) B. vulgaris. The Gar-fish, Sea-pike , Mackerel-guide , is by no means uncommon round the shores of the British islands, apparently some¬ what more abundant towards the north : it is also well known in the Baltic. Dr. Parnell informs us that it visits the Firth of Forth in large shoals,
GEN. BELONE. THE GAR-FISH. 101
about the beginning of July, in company with the Mackerel, and remains till the end of August. It attains the length of two, sometimes three feet. In the young the jaws are of equal length ; when full grown, the lower becomes the more projecting ; the tail is forked. The upper parts of the body are of a dark greenish blue mackerel-tint, becoming- lighter towards the sides, which, with the abdomen, are sil¬ very white ; the iris is pale yellow. The greater length of the upper jaw is produced by an elonga¬ tion of the intermaxillary bones, and the gape is ex¬ tensive, both jaws separating simultaneously. Ac¬ cording to Mr. Couch, this fish swims near the surface at all distances from land, and is seen not unfrequently to spring out of its native element ; its vivacity being such that it will for a long time play about a floating straw, and leap over it many times in succession. In the Forth it is caught both by the net and hook, and it is sometimes found in the haddock-lines, which are baited with mussels. Mr. Couch adds, that when it is taken by the hook, it mounts to the surface, often before the fishermen have felt the bite ; and there, with its slender body half out of the water, struggles with the most vio¬ lent contortions to wrench the hook from its hold. It emits a strong smell when newly caught. The following method of fishing the Relone, in the Ionian Islands, was communicated to Mr. Yarrell by Mr. L. II. Tonna. A small triangular raft is formed of three pieces of bamboo, each a foot and a half long ; a little thwart is inserted, in which a small mast is
102 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
fixed ; it is then rigged with a latine sail, shrowds, &c., in imitation of the boats of the country. The fisherman taking his station on a projecting rock, with deep water along side, and an off-shore breeze, commits his little raft to the wind, carrying with it a line of thirty or forty fathoms in length. A float is fixed at about every fathom, and from each float depends a fine hair line, with a baited hook. When the Belone bites, be draws tbe float down violently once, and then seems quietly to resign himself to his fate. The fishermen waits till ten or twelve are hooked ; he then hauls in his raft, relieves it of its freight, and again launches it for another cruise. I once, says Mr. Tonna, saw a boy catch fifty or sixty in this way in half an hour.
A curious circumstance connected with this fish is, that its bones are green. Many authors seem to think that this is the result of boiling ; but Cuvier states that in the whole genus the bones are re¬ markable for their beautiful green colour, which is inherent, and independent either of cooking or of transudation from any neighbouring part. This colour sometimes excites a prejudice against the fish as aliment ; and tastes, moreover, seem to vary. Considerable quantities, remarks Mr. Yarrell, are eaten in London, some from curiosity ; but the larger portion from the moderate price at which they are sold. The flesh partakes of the flavour of the Mackerel, but is drier. In the Edinburgh mar¬ ket, again, “ they are considered by many persons to be superior to the Mackerel for food, being firmer
GEN. SC'OMBERESOX. TIIE SAURY- PIKE. 103
and whiter in the flesh, and possessing much of the same flavour.” Cuvier says, “ Quil donne un bon manger ”
Gen. LXI. Scomberesox. — This genus resembles the former in the length of its snout, its general shape, and its scales ; but the last rays of the dorsal and anal fins are detached and form spurious fins on the upper and under sides, as on the Mackerel* Some species are catalogued by Dr. Richardson as occurring on the North American coast ; one only is known in the British. It is
(Sp. 119.) S. saurns. The Saury-pike, or Skipper, is known in the Mediterranean as well as on the Western Atlantic shores. In Britain it seems pre¬ eminently a migratory fish, appearing usually in the autumn, in vast abundance at one time, and very sparingly, or not at all, at others. Its shape, gene¬ rally, is like that of the Gar-fish. In size it averages from a foot to eighteen inches. The dorsal fin has five and the anal eight spurious fins ; the snout is fine, slightly curved upwards, and toothless ; the lower jaw being the longest ; the body is smooth, and the scales thin. All the fins are small, the dorsal being far down the back. “ The colour of the back is a lovely azure blue, changing to grey, and glossed with purple and yellow ; the lower part silvery.” Mr. Pennant mentions that great numbers of these fish were thrown ashore on the sands of Leith, rafter a great storm in November 17GG ; and Mr. Low states, that in 1774, such a glut of them set into Kerston Bay, Orkney, that they could be
104 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
caught in pailfuls, and many were thrown ashore. No one remembered such a thing happening before. Dr. Neill states that they are not uncommon in the north of Scotland ; and almost every autumn, they enter the Forth in considerable shoals. According to the Doctor, it is a stupid, inactive fish. “ When they run up our Firth in numbers, they do not, like other fishes, retire from the shallows at the ebbing of the tide, but are then found by hundreds, having; their long nose stuck in the sledge.” Dr. Parnell mentions that of late years not a single spe- cirn'en has been observed in the Firth. They are sometimes seen off Berwick and Yarmouth, on the east coast, and occasionally on the southern. The following; account of the habits of this fish is from the pen of Mr. Couch, who has so frequently laid the lovers of Natural History under obligation by his interesting details. “ It does not swim deep in the water ; and in its harmless manners resembles the Flying-fish, as well as in the persecution it ex¬ periences from the ravenous inhabitants of the ocean, and the method it adopts to escape from their pur¬ suit. It is gregarious, and is sometimes seen to rise to the surface in large shoals, and flit over a con¬ siderable space. But the most interesting spectacle, and that which displays their greatest agility, is when they are followed by a company of Porpoises, or their still more active and persevering enemies the Tunny and Bonito. Multitudes then mounts to the surface and crowd on each other, as they press for¬ ward. When still more closely pursued, they singly
GEN. HEMIRAMPHUS. THE nALF-BEAK. 105
spring to the height of several feet, leap over each other in singular confusion, and again sink beneath. Still further urged, they mount again and rush along the surface, by repeated starts, for more than a hundred feet, without once dipping beneath, or scarcely seeming to touch the water. At last the pursuer springs after them, usually across their course ; and again they all disappear together. — Some must fall a prey to the enemy ; but as many hunt in company, it must be long before the pur¬ suit is abandoned.” (Apud Yarrell.)
Gen. LXII. Hemiramphus. — This genus is cha¬ racterised by small teeth in both jaws, the upper one being very short, the lower long, prolonged into a semi-beak which is without teeth : in other respects it resembles the genus Belone. It abounds in tro¬ pical seas ; but, with the exception of the young fry, no specimen has been seen, according to Mr. Yarrell, in the Mediterranean, the Channel, nor the Northern Seas ; and Dr. Richardson affirms that none have been detected on the shores of North America. Is the statement of Mr. Mudie, that a stray individual is occasionally met with on the shores of England, nothing more than an inference ? (Late English edit, of Regne Animal.)
(Sp. 120.) //. Europwus. The European Ilemi- ramphus or Half- beak has very properly been intro¬ duced conditionally into our scientific catalogue by Mr. Yai^ell, upon the authority of Mr. Couch, who met with this small fish (Linn. Transactions, vol. xiv.) ; and upon a communication sent to
10() MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
him by Dr. Clark of Ipswich, in 1837. The facts are soon stated : Mr. Couch captured, in the har¬ bour of Palperro, in July 1818, a little fish which was swimming with agility near the surface of the water, and which he conceived might be the Hemi- ramphus Brasiliensis of Cuvier. It was an inch in length, with the head somewhat flattened at top ; the upper jaw short and pointed ; the lower much protruded, the mouth opening obliquely downwards, although the part of the lower jaw which protruded beyond the upper, passed straight forward in a right line with the top of the head ; the body was com¬ pressed, lengthened, and resembled that of the Gar¬ fish : it had one dorsal, and anal fin, placed far back, and opposite each other ; the tail was straight ; the colour of the back bluish green, spotted ; the abdo ¬ men silvery. It was in August 1837 that Mr. Clark, when examining;: the sea-shore between Harwich and Orford, observed a shoal consisting of myriads of small fish between one and two inches long, which he took to be the young of the Garfish. This conclusion, however, on further examination, was discovered to be incorrect, the fry of the Garfish, wdien measuring only one inch, being found with jaws of equal length : they therefore belonged to a species of Hemiramphus, whose precise species how¬ ever, from their minute size, it is perhaps impossible to determine ; whilst their great abundance in a pool left by the receding tide, makes it evident they must have been deposited and vivified in the neighbour¬ ing shores. These are the only instances in which
GEN. EXOCILUS. TI1E FLYING-FISH. 107
the fish has been observed in Britain, and Mr. Yar- rell, for distinction-sake, has proposed it shall be called Hemiramphus Europeans.
Mr. Swainson mentions that he has examined one of this species in a fresh state, captured we pre¬ sume in tropical seas ; and detected a singular pecu¬ liarity, hitherto unnoticed. On the sides of the lower jaw, there is a thin membranaceous fringe or skin, A'ery delicate, and which is half the breadth of the jaw itself. The jaw itself, he contends, is thus used neither to secure its food, for its point is obtuse, nor to burrow in the sand, for then this membrane would be immediately destroyed. Like the other members of the same family, it probably obtains its food upon or near the surface of the water ; and it is certainly curious that there is a genus of birds — Rhyncops — whose mouth or bill is similarly con¬ structed, and which skims along the surface of the sea, to feed upon the minute creatures which have here their appropriate habitat. Hence the inference that these are fishes which habitually feed in the same manner, and upon the same description of ani¬ mals. (In Lardner, Cycl., Fishes, i. 301).
Gen. LXIII. Exucilus. The fishes belonging to this genus are at once distinguished from the others of the order by their immense pectoral fins, enabling them to support themselves in the air for a short time. They are possessed of scales, and are somewhat keel-shaped on the flanks ; their head is flat above, and compressed laterally ; the dorsal fin is above the anal ; the eye large ; both jaws are
100 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
furnished with teeth, their pharynx with pavement ones ; their air-bladder is very large, and the lower lobe of the tail much longer than the upper. They abound in all the seas of warm climates.
The flights of these beautiful little fish, principally occasioned by their efforts to escape from their many foes, — larger fishes, and Dolphins, and Por¬ poises below the wave, and marine birds of prey above them — having often excited the attention of voyagers and occasionally of naturalists, wo shall adduce a few notices concerning them by the latter class of gentlemen. Mr. George Bennett, in his Wanderings in New South Wales, observes “ I have never been able to see any percussion of the pectoral fms during flight ; and the greatest length of time I have seen these volatile fish on the Jin has been thirty seconds by the watch, and their longest flight, mentioned by Capt. Hall, has been two hundred yards, though he thinks that subsequent observation has extended the space. The most usual height of the flight, as seen above the surface of the water, is from two to three feet ; but I have known them come on board at the height of fourteen feet and upwards ; and they have been well ascertained to come into the channels of a line-of-battle ship, which is as high as twenty feet and upwards. It must not however, be supposed that they have the power of elevating themselves in the air after they have left their native element ; for, on watching them, I have often seen them fall much below the elevation at which they first rose from the water, but never, in
GEN. EXOCILUS. THE FLYING-FISH. ICO
one instance, could I observe them raise themselves from the height to which they first sprang ; for I regard the elevation they take to depend on the power of the first spring or leap they make.” Dr. Bennett here agrees with other naturalists that the movement is mainly to be considered as a vigorous spring or vault, which is subsequently sustained by the fins or wings as by a parachute. Mr. Swainson has had numerous opportunities of witnessing the feats of these fishes in their native seas, and is hence the better qualified to offer judicious criticisms upon the prevaling opinions on the subject. The idea that the vaulting power ceases when the connecting membrane of the rays dries, he remarks, is very pos¬ sible ; but he does not think it has been determine i as a fact. u It is said also that the fins are merely used as parachutes, and do not as in birds, propel the fish forward by repeated movements ; this again admits of doubt. The flight of these fishes, though short, is very rapid, almost as much as that of a swallow ; and every one knows, that these birds will advance far with little or no beating motion of
CD
the wings. In crossing the line, in the year 1810, we were very anxious to ascertain this point in the economy of the Flying-fish ; but although we had them before our eyes almost every quarter of an hour for a week, their flight was so rapid that, at the nearest distance they ever were to the ship, wo found it as utterly impossible for the eye to deter¬ mine this question, as it is to see the vibrations of the wings of a fly. Our impression is that this act
110 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
of flying is effected in two ways : first, there is a spring or leap, by which the fish is raised out of the water ; and then the pectoral fins are spread, and employed to propel the fish in a forward direction, either by a few flappings, or by the motion that is analogous to the skimming of swallows. It is quite true that they have not the power of elevating themselves in the air in an undulating direction, as we see in swallows ; the course of their flight being always that of a very slight arch, the height of which, we believe, varies with the species ; those near the equinoxial line towards America, have a low flight, so that though innumerable flocks rose round the vessel in all directions, not one ascended sufficiently high to fall into it ; whilst in other cir¬ cumstances they have fallen into ships from fourteen to twenty feet above the water. Sometimes they fly off in an obliquely angular direction from that which they at first took ; an important fact, because it proves that this flying is effected, not merely by a leap, but by the action of the fins and tail, just as these members are used to influence the course of birds ; although the mode in which the pectorals are used for this purpose wre do not pretend to un¬ derstand.” (Loc. cit. i. 297 — 9)- Mr. Swainson states his persuasion that a number double that of the described species really exists; Dr. Richardson catalogues four species as visiting the North Ame¬ rican shores ; while one is, and more, probably are, occasional though rare visitors of the British seas.
GEN. EXOCILUS. TIIE FLYING-FISH. Ill
(Sp. 121.) E. volltans. The Common Flying-fish. A Flying-fisli having been caught in the river Towy below Caermarthen in June 1765, and an account of it having been transmitted to Mr. Pennant, by John Strange Esq., the eminent Naturalist seems to have concluded that it must have been the E. voli¬ tans , and has accordingly given a representation of it with short ventrals, so distinguishing it from the next species preceding. This, however, we believe, was merely supposititious. Several additional no¬ tices have since been published, showing clearly that Flying-fish are sometimes encountered in the British seas. Thus, Dr. IJeysham informs us “ that another Flying-fish was seen at Allonby last September ( 1 7 93), by Mr. C. Carlyle when he was bathing; it was near the shore, and upon the surface of the water, and came within a yard of him.” (Hutchin¬ son’s Cumberland, i. 32.) A third was seen in July 1823, ten miles from Bridgewater, in the Bristol Channel, a notice of which was communicated to the Linnaean Society by S. L. Jacob, (Ann. of Phil, xxii. 152) ; and lastly, in the fortieth number of the Journal of the Royal Institution, the following letter appeared. “ In going down Channel on the 23d of August 1825, with light winds, when off Portland, we were surprised by the appearance of a rather large shoal of what is commonly called the Flying-fish. They being evidently pursued by some one of their numerous enemies, from the frequent and long flights which they took ; but it was im¬ possible to discover what that enemy was, though
112 MALACOP. ABDOM. PIKE FAMILY.
passing close to the vessel. (I. C. W. December 2, 1025.)” These notices satisfactorily prove that Fly¬ ing-fish have been repeatedly seen on our shores ; but, like Mr. Pennant’s instance, they arc all equi¬ vocal, and hence are introduced under this species, chiefly to provoke additional investigation into their character and history.
(Sp. 122.) E. ex'diens. The Great Flying-fish. Fpon the authority of Mr. Couch we learn that a Flying-fish of this species threw itself on the quay at Plymouth, and another on the sandy margin of Helford river, near Falmouth, two miles from the open sea, where it was found while yet living. These fish have both been preserved, and Mr. Couch, from examination and inquiry, considers them as both belonging to the present species. It is readily known by the elongated ventral fins, which are placed far backwards, while, in the species we have just noticed, these fins are short, and placed not far behind the origin of the pectorals. This greater Flying-fish attains the length of eighteen inches, and is very common in the Mediterranean. The upper part of the body is a fine blue colour ; the lower part silvery white ; the lateral line is placed very low down, nearly parallel to the ventral profile ; the pectoral fins are very large, and of a fine trans¬ parent blue colour; the ventral fins are long and rounded at the end ; the lower lobe of the tail is the longer. The flesh is rich, and said to be more delicate than that of the herring.
O
113
XV. THE FAMILY OF THE SILURID^.
This family is entitled on many accounts to take the lead in the order, as assigned to it by M. Valen¬ ciennes. Its fins are more osseous than those of anv other family of the soft-finned division. Besides, the number of its species is very great, about three hundred having been already catalogued ; and it is one of the most curious in the class Vertebratas, on account of the variety of organization it presents, whether compared with other fishes, or the dif¬ ferent members of the family among themselves. The Siluridas generally inhabit rivers, and other fresh-water resorts, over the greater part of the world ; and they sometimes wander to the ocean. By much the greater number live in equatorial latitudes ; but they are able to support the rigour of a north¬ ern climate, or great heights on mountain ranges ; and hence some of the family are found on the con¬ tinent of South America, at elevations between 10,000 and 16,000 feet above the level of the sea; and they also, according to the observation of M. de Humboldt, penetrate into the interior of the earth, and exhibit to the physiologist new phases of the vital principle in the interior lakes of those gigantic American volcanoes which throw forth fish in the course of their eruptions. It is somewhat remark - vol. ii. n
114 MALACOP. ABDOM. SILURIDjE FAMILY.
able that this great family lias only one represen¬ tative in Europe belonging to
Gen. LXIY. Siluris, and which is (Sp. 123.) S. glanis : The Sly Siluris or Sheat- fish, whose claims to be considered British, rest solely in the statement of Sibbald in his Scotia Illustrata. He puts it at the close of his History of fresh-water fishes, leading to the inference that it may have occured in his day, in some of the Scottish rivers. This supposition, however, may rest only upon mistake ; and it is not likely that so extra¬ ordinary a fish could have so long escaped the lynx eye of some of our numerous Naturalists. This notice, therefore, is introduced only to aid in identifying the species, should it again pre¬ sent itself. It is the largest fresh-water fish of Europe ; is found in the rivers of Germany, Swe¬ den, Norway, and has been taken in the Baltic, in the salt lake of Haerlem, in Holland, and in Hungary. It is smooth on the surface, and dark coloured ; greenish, spotted with black, above, and yellowish white beneath. The head is large ; and the parts round the mouth are furnished with six barbules ; it has a single soft fin on the back. In length it extends to six feet and more, and weighs, sometimes it is said three hundred weight. It Hides itself in the mud awaiting its prey. Its flesh is, to the taste of most, very rich and pleasant, as food.
115
XVI. SALMON AND TROUT FAMILY. SALMONIDiE.
Representatives in British Fauna. — Gen. 5, Bp. 15.
Gen G5. Salmo. Sp
66. Osmerus.
67. Thtmallus.
68. C'OREGONUS.
69. Scopelus.
124. S. solar. . . The Salmon.
125. S', eriox. . . Grey Trout.
126. S. trutta. . . Salmon Trout.
127 .S.fario. . . Common Trout.
128. S. Levenensis. . Loch Leven Trout.
129. S. ferox. . . Great Lake Trout.
1 80. S. savelinus. . The Charr.
131 0. eperlanus. . Smelt, or Sperling.
132. 0. Hebridicus. Hebridal Smelt.
133. T. vulgaris. . The Grayling.
1 34. C. fera. . . The Gwyniad.
135. C. Willughhii. The Vendaee.
136. C. Lacepedei. . The Powan.
137. C. Pollan. . The Pollan.
138. S. Humboldtii. The Argentine.
Of all the fresh-water fishes belonging to north¬ ern latitudes, those composing the family now to be noticed, are the most important in an economical point of view. To the Naturalist, also, they are full of interest, as the history of many of them is highly curious, and from the difficulties attending the investigation of their habits, many points are yet undetermined or obscure. With the angler many of the species are preferred to every other kind of fish as objects on which to exercise his skill ;
11(3 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY.
they thus present themselves in a greater number of interesting: relations than most other tribes of
cj
fishes. The most characteristic feature of the family is the peculiar form of the posterior dorsal fin, which is fleshy or adipose, and destitute of rays. In the typical species, the series of teeth is very complete ; the vomer, palatine, and maxillary bones are beset with angular teeth directed backwards ; there is a row of similar teeth on each side of the tongue, and another series on the lower jaw. When the mouth is closed these rows alternate with each other, every interstice is thus filled up, and the re¬ sult is the formation of as perfect an instrument for seizing and retaining small objects as can well be imagined. The number given above as British, constitute nearly one-half of the family, viewed in relation to Europe. Africa and America produce other forms, but these deviate somewhat from the typical structure. The most characteristic members are the most northerly fresh-water fish with which we are acquainted.
Gen. LXV. Salmo. — Vomer, palatine, and maxil¬ lary bones with sharp stout teeth ; gape wide ; branchiostegous rays varying in number, but always exceeding eight ; dorsal fins two, the ventrals oppo¬ site the middle of the first dorsal, the adipose dorsal opposite the anal.
(Sp. 124.) S. salar. The appearance of this well known fish is familiar to all. It is the largest spe¬ cies of the genus, sometimes exceeding eighty pounds in weight, although the average weight is not above
GEN. SALMO. THE SALMON. 117
one-fourth of that amount. The shape is highly elegant, being oval and moderately elongated, the head small, the greatest depth of the body a little before the dorsal ; the whole form alike indicating- great strength and power of rapid motion. The colour of the upper parts is dark bluish-grey or bluish-black, the sides lighter : the abdomen silvery, with a few scattered dusky spots, principally above the lateral line ; the dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins are dusky black, the ventrals stained with the same on their inner side, the anal white or nearly so. These colours vary considerably, according to age, sex, and season. During and after the time of spawning, the adult male acquires a reddish tinge, and the preoperculum and gill-covers are marked with large reddish blotches. At the same time, particularly in old males, the lower jaw is elongated, and curved upwards in a hook. Besides the distinc¬ tions derivable from colour, it is desirable to have others of a less variable kind, to prevent the Salmon being confounded with the other migratory species, to which, in some of their states, they bear a great resemblance. Mr. Yarrell directs attention to the gill-cover, which, in the Salmon, he describes as having the posterior free edge in the form of part of a circle ; the lower margin of the suboperculum is a line directed obliquely upwards and backwards ; the line of union of the suboperculum with the operculum also oblique, and parallel with the lower margin of the suboperculum ; the intcroperculum narrow vertically, and its union with the operculum
118 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY.
considerably above the line of the junction between the suboperculum and operculum.* In very young specimens the tail is much forked, and this continues to be the case, although gradually in a smaller de¬ gree, till the fifth year, when the terminal line becomes straight. The vertebras are sixty in num¬ ber, and the cascal appendages from sixty-three to sixty-eight.
The Salmon may he considered either as a salt or fresh- water fish, according as we regard the one or the other as most essential to its economy. They invariably breed, as is well known, in fresh water, while they find their most nutritious food, and other conditions most favourable to their growth and general health, in salt water. They begin to enter rivers in spring, but the instinct which prompts them to ascend towards the sources for the purpose of reproduction, does not exert its full influence till the end of autumn. They make their ascent chiefly when the rivers are swollen by rains, generally ad¬ vancing with some rapidity ; often it is supjoosed at the rate of twenty-five miles a day,+ and so strong is the impulse that urges them on, that they overcome obstacles which, to an animal so formed, we would be inclined to pronounce insurmountable.
* British Fishes, vol. ii. p. 5.
f It has been estimated that, in a tranquil lake, Salmon can swim at the rate of eight or ten leagues an hour, and twenty- four feet in a second. This would give 8G,400 feet in an hour, a velocity which, if it could be continued, would enable them to make the tour of the globe in a few weeks.
GEN. SALM0. THE SALMON. 119
They frequently make perpendicular leaps to the height of twelve or fourteen feet, thus surmounting water-falls and such like obstacles which the rocky bed of a river often presents to tlieir progress. When they reach the upper and shallow portions of the river, a spot with a gravelly bottom is selected, and the operation of depositing the spawn takes place. At this time the male has assumed the red¬ dish hue formerly alluded to, and his partner has all her usual colours much deepened. A shallow furrow is dug in the gravel ; both sexes throw themselves on their sides, draw close together, and rubbing themselves against each other, shed their spawn simultaneously into the slight excavation. This operation is repeated many times until the whole be deposited. The spawn is then covered up with a thin layer of sand or gravel. With this the parental duties of the fish cease, and they seem greatly exhausted by their exertions, losing the bright colours of their nuptial dress, and becoming lean and emaciated. In this reduced condition the fish are considered unfit for food, being said to be unclean ; and are termed Kelts or Kippers, the lat¬ ter appellation being usually applied to the male. After reposing a while in the depths of some neigh¬ bouring pool, as if to recover themselves, they com¬ mence their progress down the river on purpose to regain the ocean, where they are speedily invigo¬ rated and restored to their former condition.
The principal spawning season is from October to the end of February, but the time varies greatly in
120 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY.
different rivers. The running commences in some streams much earlier than in others, a circumstance thought to depend on the temperature. The north¬ ern rivers are observed to be earliest. The females make their appearance first ; and the Grilse, or young fish on their first return from the sea, gene¬ rally precede the more mature individuals.
The ova continue under the gravel before they are hatched a longer or shorter period according to circumstances, in general from a hundred to a hun¬ dred and forty days. Shortly after being excluded, the fry work their way upwards through the gravel. At this early age they are translucent and shapeless, the head small and rounded, and all the fins conti nous, forming a loose membrane round the body. In a short time they assume the general aspect of a fish ; the fins becoming separated ; the colours gradu¬ ally deepen, and when they reach about two inches in length, they are marked on the sides with conspi¬ cuous transverse dusky bars, and the tail fin becomes deeply notched. The first migration to the sea takes place from the beginning of March to the end of May, in the second season after birth. The fry are then called Smelts or Samlets, and in some places, Lasp- rings. On reaching the mouth of the river, they re¬ main for a time where the water becomes brackish by the mixture of salt water, and thus prepared for the change they launch out into the sea. The salt water is either favourable to their growth from its very constitution, or because it affords them most nutri¬ tious food, for they rapidly increase in size and
GEN. SALMO. THE SALMON. I2J
vigour. On their return to the fresh water they have acquired a weight of between two and three pounds and upwards, and the larger individuals are then called Gilse or Grilse, the smaller Salmon- peal. During its subsequent visits to the sea, the growth of the Salmon is equally considerable, and in the course of a few seasons it attains to large di¬ mensions. It is obvious that its food, when in the sea, must be very different from that on which it subsists in fresh water. In the former it seems to consist of sand-eels and other small fishes ; also the ova of various kinds of echinodermata and certain Crustacea : in the latter, worms, aquatic insects, and small fishes, form its chief nutriment. Its powers of digestion seem to be unusually rapid, and hence perhaps we may in some measure account for the suddenness of its growth. When the stomach is opened, seldom any thing is found in it except a thick mucus, the food being speedily reduced to a pulp, the nutritious portions assimilated, and the rest passing into the intestines. They rise freely, as every angler knows, to a fly, even within a short distance of the sea ; and are taken with various kinds of bait, such as earth-worms, sand-eels, &c.
As our space confines us chiefly to the natural history, properly so called, of our native fishes, we cannot in this place offer any account of the fisheries of this important species. Neither can we, for the same reason, enter upon the different methods em¬ ployed to capture it by the angler, who regards it
122 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY
as his noblest game ; but must refer to the numer¬ ous well-known and excellent works specially de¬ voted to these respective subjects. All the principal rivers in Scotland produce Salmon, many of them, especially in the north, in very great abundance. Such may likewise be said to be the case with all the great rivers of other parts of the United King¬ dom ; but in some of these they are comparatively rare, particularly in England, where the muddy, languid, canal-like waters are but seldom adapted to their habits. An individual is at rare intervals captured in the Thames, and it is prized in propor¬ tion to its rarity. The Tweed has been long cele¬ brated as the resort of Salmon ; it still yields many ; but rod-fishing, which was at one time so excellent in that river, has become comparatively profitless, and may almost be said to be reduced to a few days in spring and autumn.
The Salmon does not occur in the Mediterranean, nor consequently in any of the rivers flowing into that sea from the north ; but it ascends the Rhine, Elbe, Loire, and other great rivers which discharge their waters into more northern seas.
It is said also to inhabit North America, but •specimens from that quarter show some marks of difference, and it remains yet to be determined whether these may not prove of specific value.
Parr. After the elaborate investigations of Mr. Shaw, on the growth and development of Salmon fry, there can be no longer any doubt that the fish so called is one of the states of the Salmon.
GEX. SALMO. THE PARR.
123
The Parr is well known to every Scottish angler, even though he be the merest tyro in the Gentle Art. It is extremely plentiful in the greater num¬ ber of our rivers, especially in the lowlands of Scot¬ land, delighting in clear running streams with a gravelly bottom. In England and Wales it is also found plentifully in similar situations. They congre¬ gate in small shoals, and remain in a state of great activity at all times of the day, and apparently in all states of the weather. Unlike the trout, their frequent companion, they seem to feed at all times, and are ever ready to take a bait. Indeed in many of the inferior fishing streams, in the end of summer and beginning of autumn, when they are in a greatly reduced state by a dry season, the Parr is almost the only fish that can be taken with the rod. Their markings are so distinct that they can at all times be easily recognised. Its ordinary length may be stated to be from five and a half to seven inches, although it has been found to reach nine and a quarter. The body is deep in proportion to its length : the head rather blunt ; the tail deeply forked. The number of fin-rays as follows :
1st D. 12— P. 13— V. 8— A. 10— C. 19.
The teeth are small and sharp ; the whole bones of the skeleton rather delicate ; flesh white. The colour of the back and sides is olive-brown, marked with numerous small rounded dark spots ; the sides with a row of eight or nine broad abbreviated dusky bands, or transverse spots, a kind of marking conw
124 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY.
mon to the young of many of tlic Salmonidce, but the marks are narrower in this case and more length- ened. Between each, or most of these dusky marks, there is a round orange-coloured spot, and a few others are scattered about irregularly. It is from the transverse marks that these pretty little fish are often called Brandlings or Fingerlings.
Thus strongly characterised, and apparently bear¬ ing all the marks of maturity and specific individu¬ ality, it is not surprising that most of our best naturalists should have considered the Parr as a well determined species. Nearly all our older na¬ turalists regarded it in this light, and also most of the modern ones, among the latter Sir Win. Jardine, who has laboured with so much zeal and success to elucidate the history of the Salmonidae. Some con¬ jectured that it was a mule, the offspring of a trout and salmon. Sir IT. Davy, who seems to have entertained very loose notions respecting the limits of species, in as much as considering the sea-trout the type, regarding all other true trouts as varie¬ ties, supposes the Parr to be a hybrid between the sea- trout and common trout. The notion that the fish in question is a certain state of Salmon fry, is of old date. We find Pennant endeavouring to re¬ fute this opinion, and many others attempting to establish it. While matters were in this unsatis¬ factory state, Mr. Shaw comes forward with his experiments, the most important, beyond any com¬ parison, that have yet been made on the propaga¬ tion of fresh-water fishes. Of these experiments we
GEN. SALMO. THE PARR. 125
can do little more than state the results, referring to his published account for the details.*
In order to determine what became of Parr, Mr. Shaw repeatedly placed them in a pond, pro¬ perly constructed, and found that they invariably assumed the appearance of Salmon Smelts, after a certain time. Thus, several enclosed on 11th July 1833, had become Smelts in 17th May 1834. Twelve caught in March 1835, which were of large sizes, that is about six inches long, were transmuted into Smelts by the end of April, of the same year. “ I had thus no doubt,” says he “ that the larger Parrs observable in rivers in autumn, winter, and early spring, were in reality the actual Salmon fry advancing to the conclusion of their second year , and that the smaller summer Parrs (called in Dumfries-shire May Parrs) were the same species, but younger as individuals, and only entering upon their second year.” With the view of detect¬ ing the Parr in its earlier state, which had not pre¬ viously been determined, a few dozen of small active fish, about an inch long, wTere taken by a gauze-net from a river where Salmon had spawned the preceding year. After being kept in a pond till they were more than a year old, they were found to be three inches and a half long, and to correspond in every respect with Parr of the same age in the river. In another year these also were transmuted into
* Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, vol. xiv. p. 547. Mr. Shaw’s earliest notice on the subject appeared in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, vol. xxiv. p. 1G5.
126 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY.
Smelts, or Salmon fry, commonly so called. Having thus traced the progress of the Parr, from an inch in length, through its several stages, lip to the period of migration, various experiments were made on the ova of the Salmon, with the view of proving the identity of these two fish. Ova were obtained from two Salmon engaged in spawning, and having been properly placed in gravel under a stream of water, produced young, ninety days after they were thus imbedded. In fifty days more the form of the fish was perfected, when it measured somewhat more than an inch in length, and perfectly corresponded to those which had been previously traced till they assumed the form of Parr. That no objection might arise to this experiment from the circumstance of there not being sufficient evidence of the spawn in question being actually that of the Salmon, as the stream from which it was taken was accessible to other species of the genus ; the same experiment was repeated with spawn, which the male and fe¬ male Salmon were forced to exclude under the eyes of the experimentalist, and the result was that the young, after going through the usual developments, became Parr, being, when twelve months old, three inches and three quarters long, or corresponding to those called May Parr. They remain over the second winter in the rivers, and when about two years old assume the migratory dress, or in other words, become identical with what are usually called Salmon fry or Smelt.
The most remarkable part of Mr. Shaw’s ex-
GEN. SALMO. THE PARR. 127
periments remains to be stated. Having observed that male Parrs, with the milt matured and flowing- in profusion from their bodies, were at all times in company with the adult female Salmon, while de¬ positing her spawn, he conceived that they might seek each others company for a sexual purpose ; and upon impregnating the spawn of a female Sal¬ mon weighing fourteen pounds, with the milt of a male Parr weighing one ounce and a half, the pro¬ cess succeeded in every respect, the young appear¬ ing in the usual time, and continuing in the utmost health and vigour, with all the ordinary characters, up to the time of assuming the migratory dress. Many experiments of a similar kind wTere made, invariably with the same result, so as to leave not the smallest doubt of the fact, that a male Parr can effectually impregnate the ova of a full-grown Sal¬ mon. It was also proved that the offspring of a Parr and Salmon can, in like manner, propagate their kind ; and it is thus thought to be demonstrated, ac¬ cording to a recognised law in the economy of na¬ ture, that such offspring could not be hybrid , but the natural produce of two sexes of the same species.
All Mr. Shaw’s experiments have been repeated and confirmed by Mr. John Young, Sutherlandshire ; who has moreover carried his observations so far as to trace the Parr into the full-grown Salmon.
(Sp. 125.) S. eriox. Bull Trout or Grey Trout. This is the largest of the Britsli Salmonidae next to the true Salmon, often measuring between two and
128 MALACOP. ABDOM. SALMON FAMILY.
three feet, and weighing from five or six to twenty pounds. It is not so elegant in shape as the Sal¬ mon, the head, nape, and shoulders being somewhat thicker, the length of the former compared to that of the body, being as one to four ; the fleshy por¬ tion of the tail and the base of the fins are thicker and more muscular than in the Salmon. The form of the gill-cover, on which Mr. Yarrell places much dependence as a distinctive character, but which Dr. Parnell did not find to be a uniform mark of distinction, is described as follows : Operculum larger than in the Salmon and Salmon Trout ; the free vertical margin much more straight ; the inferior posterior angle more elongated backwards ; the lines of union with the suboperculum not so oblique, but nearly parallel with the axis of the body of the fish ; the inferior edge of the suboperculum parallel to the line of union with the operculum ; the inter¬ operculum much deeper, vertically ; the vertical edge of the preoperculum more sinuous.* The teeth are rather long and sharp, there being not more than four (sometimes only two or three) on the vomer, and these placed on its anterior part. Not two authors agree