THE POMFRETS 



Family XLIII. Bramidcs 



BODY oblong, more or less elevated, strongly compressed, 

 covered with firm, adherent cycloid, lobate, or emarginate scales, 

 or with a median ridge or spine; mouth very oblique, maxillary 

 broad and scaly; premaxillaries protractile; jaws with bands of 

 slender teeth; dorsal and anal fins similar, long, each with 3 or 

 4 anterior rays simple, developed as spines; soft dorsal and anal 

 scaly or with a sheath of scales. 



Fishes of the open sea, widely distributed and often inhabit- 

 ing considerable depths, and varying greatly with age. 



The single genus in our waters (Brama) contains 3 species 

 in our limits, only one of which is of food-value. This is the 

 pomfret, Brama rail. This species is of considerable importance 

 as a food-fish. It occurs in the open seas and is widely dis- 

 tributed. It descends to considerable depths. It is rare on our 

 Atlantic Coast but it is not uncommon on the coast of Califor- 

 nia anc^ north to Puget Sound where it is regarded as an ex- 

 cellent food-fish. It reaches a length of 2 to 4 feet. 



Colour, sooty-gray, with some soiled silvery on snout; vertical 

 fins and anal region black, edges of dorsal and anal darker; 

 axil jet black within. 



