40 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



the North and South Atlantic, in various parts of the Indian Ocean, 

 and on the coasts of California and China. The young have been ob. 

 tained in the harbor of Vineyard Haven. Mass. It is probable that the 

 species is far more abundant in our waters than we now suppose it to 

 be. Stearns remarks that it is obtained occasionally at Pensacola with 

 the other species, but is never very common; is seen only in the spring, 

 and is not valued as a food-flsh. About the Bermudas they are some- 

 times very abundant, and in 1875 a school of them, numbering 600 or 

 700, was seined on the south shore of the islands. They are there con- 

 sidered most delicious fish. 



The African Pompano. 



(T. goreensis.) 



This species was originally described from the island of Gorea, on the 

 west coast of Africa, and was observed by the writer in 1876, and in 

 1877 was discovered in Florida. It is the largest of the Pomiianoes. 

 Two or three specimens, weighing from 15 pounds to 20 pounds each, 

 have been sent from Florida to the I^ew York market. One of these, 

 taken at Jupiter Inlet, was sent by Mr. Blackford to the National Mu- 

 seum. In the Gulf of Mexico it is not unusual, being known at Key 

 West as the "Permit." 



Stearns remarks : 



" This fish is rather common along the lower end of the Florida Penin- 

 sula, specimens being caught quite often in seines at Cedar Keys and 

 at the Mullet fisheries of Sarasota and Charlotte's Harbor, and also at 

 Key West. It is said to attain a considerable size, 15 or 20 j)Ound 

 specimens being common. It is not a choice food-fish when so large, 

 and even smaller ones are comparatively drj' and tasteless. I have not 

 found it north or west of Cedar Keys." 



The Banner Pompano. 



(T. glaucus.) 



This species is a member of the West Indian fauna and occasionally 

 occurs at the Bermudas ; it has lately been noticed on the Pacific side 

 of the Isthmus of Panama. 



The Pilot-fish. 



[Naucrates dnctor.) 



The Pilot-fish, though of little or no economic importance, deserves 

 passing mention, as it is so frequently referred to in literature. It is 

 occasionally taken on our coast. Captain Atwood mentions a specimen 

 which was taken in a mackerel net in Provincetown Harbor in October, 

 1858. A whale ship had come in a few days before and he supposes 

 the Pilot-fish had followed it into the harbor. 



