. Elements of zoology, or, Natural history of animals / ed. by Reese. Zoology. ACANTH0PTERYGI1 TMK SWORD-FISH. 2t>5 422. (vn.) The next family, Scombkrid^e, or the Mackerel tribe, is one of very great importance to man. It comprises a large number of genera, a vast collection of species, and numberless individuals. The aspect of the common mackerel, with its spindle-shaped, beautifully- coloured, smooth, and small-scaled body, is well known. It very rapidly dies out of water, and soon becomes tainted. Mackerel has been supposed to be a migratory fish, on ac- count of its appearing on o
. Elements of zoology, or, Natural history of animals / ed. by Reese. Zoology. ACANTH0PTERYGI1 TMK SWORD-FISH. 2t>5 422. (vn.) The next family, Scombkrid^e, or the Mackerel tribe, is one of very great importance to man. It comprises a large number of genera, a vast collection of species, and numberless individuals. The aspect of the common mackerel, with its spindle-shaped, beautifully- coloured, smooth, and small-scaled body, is well known. It very rapidly dies out of water, and soon becomes tainted. Mackerel has been supposed to be a migratory fish, on ac- count of its appearing on our shores in immense shoals at particular epochs. But it may be caught all the year round on our coasts, which shows that it does not wholly desert them, as is done by the really migrating tribes. The fact is, that it passes most of the year in the open sea, and that its object in approaching the shore is to deposit its spawn ; after which, those that have escaped being entrapped by the ingenuity of man, return to their former quarters. The extent and importance of the mackerel-fishery of Britain, especially in the south and east, are well known. The tunny is an allied species, attaining a much greater size, and also valuable as an article of food. This fre- quents the Mediterranean, and is occasionally seen on our own shores. It sometimes attains the length of fifteen or even eighteen feet. To this order belongs also the xiphia*, or sword-Jish, distinguished by its long pointed Sword-Fish. This is a most powerful offensive weapon, and with it this fish attacks the largest inhabitants of the ocean. By its high dorsal fin arid expanded tail, it is able to impel itself forwards with great force ; and when attacking a large 466. What of the Mackerel tribe, and its variety ? 23. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resembl
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, bookpublishe, booksubjectzoology
