362 Surmullets, Croakers, etc. 



were brought by fishermen to Boston from a previously unex- 

 plored bank about eighty miles southeast of No Man's Land, 

 Mass. In the fall of 1880 it was found to be extremely abun- 

 dant everywhere off the coast of southern New England at a 

 depth of from seventy-five to two hundred and fifty fathoms. 

 The form of the species is more compressed, and higher, than 

 in most of the family, and what especially distinguishes it is 

 the development of a compressed, 'fleshy, fin-like appendage 

 over the back part of the head and nape, reminding one of the 

 adipose fin of the salmonids and catfishes.' It is especially 

 notable, too, for the brilliancy of its colors, as well as for its size, 

 being by far larger than any other member of its family. A 

 weight of fifty pounds or more is, or rather, one might say, was 

 frequently attained by it, although such was very far above 

 the average, that being little over ten pounds. In the reach of 

 water referred to, it could once be found abundantly at any 

 time, and caught by hook and line. After a severe gale in March, 

 1882, millions of tilefish could be seen, or calculated for, on the 

 surface of the water for a distance of about three hundred miles 

 from north to south, and fifty miles from east to west. It 

 has been calculated by Capt. Collins that as many as one thou- 

 sand four hundred and thirty-eight millions were scattered 

 over the surface. This would have allowed about two hundred 

 and twenty-eight pounds to every man, woman and child of 

 the fifty million inhabitants of the United States! On trying 

 at their former habitat the next fall, as well as all successive 

 years to the present time, not a single specimen could be found 

 where formerly it was so numerous. We have thus a case of a 

 catastrophe which, as far as has been observed, caused com- 

 plete annihilation of an abundant animal in a very limited 

 period. Whether the grounds it formerly held will be reoccupied 

 subsequently by the progeny of a protected colony remains to 

 be seen, but it is scarcely probable that the entire species 

 has been exterminated." It is now certain that the species 

 is not extinct. 



Caulolatilus princeps is the blanquillo or "whitefish" of 

 southern California, a large handsome fish formed like a dol- 

 phin, of purplish, olivaceous color and excellent flesh. Other 

 species of Caulolatilus are found in the West Indies. Latilus 



