THE BUTTER-FISH OR DOLLAR-FISH. 333 



THE BUTTER-FISH STROMATEUS TRIACANTHUS. 



The "Butter-fish" of Massachusetts and New York, sometimes known in New Jersey as the 

 "Harvest-fish," in Maine as the "Dollar-fish," about Cape Cod as the "Sheepshead" and "Skip- 

 jack," in Connecticut as the "Pumpkin-seed," and at Norfolk as the "Star-fish," is common 

 1 ict ween Cape Cod and Cape Henry. It has been observed south to South Carolina and north to 

 .Maine. It has been found in some abundance along the north side of Cape Cod in nets with 

 bass and mackerel. It is a summer visitor, appearing in our waters in company with the mackerel 

 and disappearing about the same time. It appears to breed in the sounds and in the open ocean 

 in June and July, and the young are found in great abundance in July, August, and September, 

 .swimming about in company with certain species of jelly-fish. During these months several large 

 species of jelly-fish, or sun-squalls, are found abundantly iloating about in waters near the shore, 

 and each one of these is almost invariably accompanied by ten or twelve, or more, young Butter- 

 fishes, which seem to seek shelter under their disks, and which, perhaps, may obtain a supply of 

 food from among the numerous soft-bodied invertebrates which are constantly becoming attached 

 to the floating streamers of their protectors. The young fish, thus protected, range from two to 

 two and a half inches in length. I have seen fifteen, and in'ore, sheltered under an individual of 

 Cyanea arctica not more than three inches in diameter. This refuge is not always safe for the 

 little fishes, for they sometimes are destroyed by the tentadles of their protector, which are provided, 

 as every one knows, with powerful lasso cells. The little fish seem to rise at the approach of 

 dauger and seek refuge among the lobes of the actinostome. They are, of course, thus safe from 

 the attacks of many kinds of larger fishes which prey upon them, but they themselves often fall 

 victims to the stinging power of the jelly-fish and are devoured. The habit of thus seeking shelter 

 is very much like that of the rudder-fish. The Butter-fish attains an average size of seven or eight 

 inches in length, and is very often taken in the pounds. The fishermen of Noank, Connecticut, tell 

 me that often a barrelful of them is taken in one haul of a pound-net. They are much valued for 

 food at New Bedford. When sent to New York they command a good price, and the poundmeu 

 at Lobsterville sometimes eat them and consider them better than scup. Their flavor is excellent, 

 resembling that of the mackerel, though less oily; it is very palatable when nicely broiled. At 

 many places, for instance, Noank and Wood's Holl, they are thrown away. Storer stated that they 

 were extensively used as manure in certain parts of Massachusetts. No observations have been 

 made upon their food, though, since their mouths are nearly toothless, it seems probable that they 

 subsist, for the most part, upon minute vertebrates. These fishes are remarkable on account of 

 their brilliant, iridescent colors, which, in freshly caught individuals, are as beautiful as those of 

 a dolphin. 



THE HARVEST-FISH STROMATEUS ALEPJDOTUS. 



p 



This species has not been observed north of New York. Mitchill referred to it in his work on 

 the fishes of New York, published in 1815, saying that it derived its common name, " Harvest-fish." 

 from the fact that it usually appeared during harvest time. DeKay, too, mentions having had 

 several specimens in his possession. It is somewhat abundant at the mouth of the Chesapeake 

 and along the Southern coast. In the Gulf of Mexico it is rather rare; occasionally it is taken 

 in seines at Peusacola. Dr. Giiuther, in his "Catalogue of the Fishes of the British Museum," makes 

 the astounding statement that he has seen specimens from Lake Champlaiu. The species ranges 

 south to Bahia, Brazil. It is not commercially valuable except at Norfolk, Virginia, where it is 

 consumed for food in large quantities, its market name being "Whiting." 



