Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-26
THE DAILY RECORD-UNI0N.
TIE MAoKsREL.

The maekerel, which commercially ranks
next to the cod among saltwater fishes, is
also partial to a cool home, though 1t Is
found somewhat further south than the
COZ. Like the last named fish, 1t seeks
very cold water in which to spawn, pre-
ferring that of which the temperature IS
but little above the freezing point. In
stead of enjoying cold water all the year
round, however, as the cod seems to do,
there is a possibility that the mackerel
hibernates. Seeking a soft muddy or sandy
bed at the approach OF winter, 1t ouries
itself therein, first drawing scale or him
over each eye. Whether this film IS an
apology for night-cap, or the result OF a
dropping of the eyelid through extreme
drowsiness, or due to provIdentlal de-
sign, or development according to en-
vironment, a la Darwin, Is yet to be
decided but the existence of such a
covering to the eye during Information has
been proved by examination of mackerel
which have been dragged from their COM
fortable couches by the dredges of in-
trusive scientists. 1t is not impossible
that it may yet be discovered that the
film is the result of disease and that the
muddy bottom is resorted to, not as winter
quarters, but as hospital where " earth
cure is practiced as speciality. Whether
sick or only sleepy, however, the mackerel
has an intense aversion to a cold bed, so
In selecting resting place he avoids
ground over which salt ice is likely to
drift, and drizzle Its chilling water down
ward. How the fish arrives at certainties
and probabilities on this subject is some
thing that no fellow not a mackerel can
find out, but the dredge has never found
one of these fish in localities where salt ice
melts.
the mackerel is quite sociable fish
among those of its gym blood, moving al
ways IN great families or schools. When
1t comes InshOre from the deep sea it is al
ways with an innumerable company, which
seems to move with sort of regimental
front, and wheeling from left to right, the
point d'dPpm being that portion of the
shore, naturally the southermost that 1t
frequents, where earliest in the season the
fresh-water fish return to their native
streams. The mackerel's shoreward move
ments are not always due to its own hum
ger, but frequently to that of the funny
and other predaceous fish which are fond
of fresh mackerel. The discreetness of the
1900
praised by scientists, and is cheerfully 1T c.
ognized by the honest fishermen, who Wi.
come the fugitives heartily upon their ar
rival, and care for them so effectively Il at
when next the tooth of the tOrmentor
threatens them it will be unfelt and
uncared for The means of well |
coming the mackerel are several
seins, nets weirs, and spoons being |
II, 4 d.
the last-named implement is due to the |
plebeian habits of the fish while dining. |
1t seldom bites, nor does it prolong the
enjoyment of a choice delicacy by nib
bling, but it vulgarly swallows at single |
gulp whatever is set before it. Selecting |
its food by appearance instead of flavor, 1t
Is not wonderful that piece of red fan-
mel, bright 'spoon, or even a bare fish
hook, may seem worth taking. What dis
appointed fishermen on the Banks " are
pleased to term the (qualifed) fastidious-
ness OF the fish seems to contradict this |
statement of the mackerel's gustatory bah
its, but the apparent caprcIousness with |
which these fish appear and disappear at a |
vessels side is due TO temperature instead |
of taste. Lying at a depth of perhaps two |
hundred fathoms in cool water, the fish |
hurry to the surface for the chopped bait |
which fishermen throw overheard to attract |
them the surface water, however, is gen
orally too warm to be endured for more |
than few moments, and they hurry back |
home as soon comfort becomes more de-
sirable than food.
When the mackerel disappear-which
they do frequently during the season, and
afterward for long time-they seek for
depth rather than distance. They remain
off the coast, but far this side of the Gulf
Stream, throughout the warm season, but
in water sufficiently deep to meet their
views in point of temperature. They
often lie in vast schools within a mile or
less of equally numerous herring, for
which fish the mackerel has yearning
throat but while the mackerel are two
hundred fathoms down, the herring are
within fifteen or twenty fathoms Of the
surface. Between these two zones, a dis
lance of only a few seconds, mackerel |
time, the water is too warm to permit |
even hungry mackerel to enjoy the pleas
ures of the chase, so these lifelong ene-
mics remain within sight of each other in
a state of truce, until the coming OF cold |
weather. Harper's Magazine for January.