354 Surmullets, Croakers, etc. 



enemy and associate, the bluefish. It is one of the best of all 

 our food-fishes. Farther south the spotted weakfish (Cy no- 

 scion nebulosus), very incorrectly known as sea-trout, takes its 

 place, and about New Orleans is especially and justly prized. 



The California "bluefish," Cynoscion parvipinnis, is very 

 similar to these Atlantic species, and there are many other 

 species of Cynoscion on both coasts of tropical America, form- 

 ing a large part of the best fish-supply of the various markets 

 of the mainland. On the rocky islands, as Cuba, and about 

 coral reefs, Scicsnidce are practically unknown. In the Gulf 

 of California, the totuava, Cynoscion macdonaldi, reaches a 

 weight of 172 pounds, and the stateliest of all, the great 

 ''white sea-bass" of California, Cynoscion nobilis, reaches 100 

 pounds. In these large species the flesh is much more firm 

 than in the weakfish and thus bears shipment better. Cynoscion 

 has canines in the upper jaw only and its species are all Ameri- 

 can. In the East Indies the genus Otolithes has strong canines 

 in both jaws. Its numerous species are very similar in form, 

 habits, and value to those of Cynoscion. The queenfisn, Seri- 

 phus politus, of the California coast, is much like the others of 

 this series, but smaller and with no canines at all. It is a very 

 choice fish, as are also the species of Macrodon (Ancylodon) 

 known as pescadillo del red, voracious fishes of both shores 

 of South America. 



Plagioscion squamosissimus and numerous species of Pla- 

 gioscion and other genera live in the rivers of South America. 

 A single species, the river-drum, gaspergou, river sheepshead, or 

 thunder-pumper (Aplodinotus grunniens], is found in streams 

 in North America. This is a large fish reaching a length of 

 nearly three feet. It is very widely distributed, from the Great 

 Lakes to Rio Usumacinta in Guatemala, whence it has been 

 lately received by Dr. Evermann. This species abounds in 

 lakes and sluggish rivers. The flesh is coarse, and in the Great 

 Lakes it is rarely eaten, having a rank odor. In Louisiana and 

 Texas it is, however, regarded as a good food-fish. In this 

 species the lower pharyngeals are very large and firmly united, 

 while, as in all other Sci&nida, except the genus Pogonias, these 

 bones are separated. In all members of the family the ear- 

 bones or otoliths are largely developed, often finely sculptured. 



