FISHES OF NEW YORK 569 



The Bermuda chub grows to the length of 18 inches. It ranges 

 from Cape Cod to the West Indies, the Gulf of Mexico, across 

 the ocean to the Canary Islands, and is accidental in the Med- 

 iterranean. Its name of rudder fish refers to its habit 'of fol- 

 lowing vessels, presumably to secure the waste food thrown 

 from them. The fish is said to have game qualities. 



At Woods Hole Mass, according to Dr Smith, the species is 

 not rare in summer and fall and has occasionally been found 

 in April; it is sometimes taken among gulf weed at the surface. 

 Only young specimens, up to 6 inches long, have been secured 

 there. 



The Bermuda chub is a rare fish in Gravesend bay, but was 

 found there in October 1896, and in September 1897. It has great 

 endurance in captivity and will survive the winter in artificially 



heated water. 



Family SCIAEISIIDAE 



Croakers 



Genus CYNOSCION Gill 



Body elongate, little compressed, the back not elevated. Head 

 conical, rather pointed; mouth very large, terminal, not very 

 oblique, the lower jaw projecting, the symphysis produced, the 

 angle at base of maxillary not prominent. Maxillary very 

 broad. Teeth sharp, not closely set, in rather narrow bands; 

 tip of the lower jaw without canines; upper jaw with two long 

 canines, one of which is sometimes obsolete; canines tapering 

 from base to tip; lateral teeth of lower jaw larger than anterior. 

 Preopercle with its membranaceous edge serrulate, the bone 

 entire. Lower pharyngeal bones separate, their teeth all 

 pointed. Gill rakers strong, rather long. Vertebrae about 

 14+10 (instead of 10+14 as in sciaenoids generally). Pseudo- 

 branchiae well developed; dorsal spines slender, the fins closely 

 contiguous; anal spines one or two, very feeble, the soft rays 

 seven to 13; second dorsal long and low, more than twice length 

 of anal; ventrals inserted below pectorals, the pubic bone long 

 and strong; caudal fin subtruncate or lunate. Large fishes 

 chiefly of the waters of America, closely related to the Old 

 World genus Otolithus, from which they are distinguished 



