The Sea-drums 



out spots; a dark bronze shade along sides at level of pectorals, ex- 

 tending to tail and along cheeks; belly below this abruptly white; 

 dorsal fins light brown, the spinous dorsal black at tip, the base 

 narrowly white; caudal pale, its tip usually black. 



GENUS POGONIAS LACEPEDE 



The Sea-drums 



Body short and deep, the dorsal outline much elevated, the 

 ventral nearly straight; mouth moderate, the upper jaw the longer; 

 teeth small, in villiform bands, the outer not enlarged; lower pharyn- 

 geal bones large, fully united, armed with strong paved teeth; lower 

 jaw with numerous barbels, each about half length of eye; preopercle 

 entire, with a membranaceous edge; dorsal fins slightly connected, 

 the spines high and strong; caudal fin subtruncate; first anal spine 



*"- 



short, the second exceedingly large, nearly as long as the soft rays; 

 pectorals and ventrals long; gill-rakers short and bluntish; pseudo- 

 branchiae large. 



This genus contains 2 species, both American, and both large, 

 coarse fishes, among the largest in the family. The more important 

 of the 2 species is the common drum or black drum, Pogonias cromis. 



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