118 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
Sub-Class CHONDROPTERYGII.
Order GANOIDEI.
Sub-Order CHONDROSTEI.
Family ACIPENSERIDAE.
Genus Acipenser, Artedi.
Acipenser sturio, Linn. Sturgeon.
This is occasionally taken in all our rivers, but it is rare.
When captured in the Thames, within the jurisdiction of the
City of London, it is usually judged a proper present for the
Lord Mayor's table.
The capture of a Sturgeon, weighing 131 lbs., in the
Blackwater River, near Beeleigh Mills, Maldon, is noted as
a remarkable circumstance (Donovan, British Fishes, vol. iii.,
plate lxv.) Dr. Bree, referring to a small specimen found at
Thorpe-le-Soken in 1864, raises the question whether the fish
breeds here or migrates from the Danube (Field, Aug. 6th,
1864, p. 105).
Mr. Fitch records the capture of two very large Sturgeons
in the Blackwater on May 9th, 1886, and May 15th, 1890.
The latter, which weighed 212 lbs. and measured seven feet
eleven inches in length, was exhibited at Chelmsford, and
eventually went to Sweeting's, in Cheapside (Essex Nat.,
vol. iv., p. 120). Others are mentioned (Zool., 1879, p. 383,
and 1883, p. 341). About the middle of August, 1891,
those engaged on the smack "Emmie," whilst dredging near
Cliff Reach, Burnham, saw a fine Sturgeon disporting
itself (Essex Comity Chronicle, August 21st, 1891).