. The popular natural history . Zoology. 470 THE SUCKING TUNNY.—(Thynnus Thynnus.) sufficient numbers to be of any commercial importasice; but on the shores of the Mediterranean, where it is found in very great abundance, it forms one of the chief sources of wealth of the sea-side population. In May and June, the Tunnies move in vast shoals along the shores, seeking for suitable spots wherein to deposit their spawn. As soon as they are seen on the move, notice is given by a sentinel who is constantly watching from some lofty eminence, and the whole population is at once astir, preparing
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 470 THE SUCKING TUNNY.—(Thynnus Thynnus.) sufficient numbers to be of any commercial importasice; but on the shores of the Mediterranean, where it is found in very great abundance, it forms one of the chief sources of wealth of the sea-side population. In May and June, the Tunnies move in vast shoals along the shores, seeking for suitable spots wherein to deposit their spawn. As soon as they are seen on the move, notice is given by a sentinel who is constantly watching from some lofty eminence, and the whole population is at once astir, preparing nets for the capture, and salt and tubs for the curing of the ex- pected fish. There are two modes of catching the Tunny, one by the seine-net and the other by the '' ; The mode of using the seine is identical with that which has already been described when treating of the Mac-' kerel, but the madrague is much more complicated in its structure and management. The principle of the madrague is precisely the same as of the " corral" by which elephants are entrapped in Ceylon. A vast enclosure of united nets, nearly a mile in length, and divided into several chambers, is so arranged that as the Tunnies pass along the coasc they are intercepted by a barrier, and, on endeavouring to retreat, are forced to enter one of the chambers. When a number of Tunnies have fairly entered the net, they are driven from one chamber to another, until they are forced into the last and smallest, called significantly the chamber of death. This chamber is furnished with a floor of net, to which are attached u series of ropes, so that by hauling in the ropes the floor of the net is drawn up and the fish brought to the surface. The large and powerful fish struggle-fiercely for liberty, but are speedily stunned by blows from long poles, and hfted into the boats. The flesh of the Tunny is eaten both fresh and salted. It is most extensively used, being pickled in various ways, boil
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
