abundant. I t forms a considerable portion of the poor man’s food,
and is a fish common to tropical seas.
Scomber, Art.
*S. colias, G-m.—This species of Mackerel is peculiar to the
North Atlantic, where almost any quantity may be taken from
shallow or deep water throughout the year, though sometimes it
is more plentiful than at others. I t is excellent eating, being quite
as fine as the English mackerel, and forms one of the chief articles of
food with the natives of St. Helena.
Thynnus, C. & V.
T . t h y n n u s P, Linn.—There are three varieties of albicore, called
respectively the Long Fin, the Bastard, and the Coffrey, which constitute
one of the chief articles of food with the residents. I t is the
same as the Tunny-fish of the Mediterranean. At St. Helena it
inhabits deep water, and is taken by means of hook and line throughout
the year, many of them being as large as 3 or 4 cwt. in weight.
I t is in the winter months that they are most plentiful. I t is
well known in that part of the world as “ St. Helena beef,” and
I ' have known people to praise the excellence of “ the veal
cutlets” after having partaken of fried albicore ! I t is curiously
sold in the market at so much per cut, three or four pence sufficing
to secure a cut or slice weighing several pounds. There are
various ways of cooking and making it very palatable, and for a
curry there is no better substitute.
Echeneis, Art.
E . n a u c r a t e s , Linn.— The Sucking-fish, peculiar to the tropics, is
sometimes taken at St. Helena, adhering to sharks, sun-fish, and other
deep-water creatures, but is not used for food.
Fam. Frichiuridte.
Thyrsites, C. & Y.
T . p r o m e th e u s , C. & V.--Also a Madeira fish, and at St. Helena
called the Night Serpent. Fishermen speak of two kinds of serpent-
fish, that which they catch at night being black, and that during the
day brown in colour. They are not eaten.
Fam. Pediculati.
Antennarius, Commers.
A . p in n i c e p s , C. & V . -A small fish, striped with brown like a