34 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The Cavally. 

 {Carangiis hippos.) 



The Cavally of the Gulf of Mexico and Eastern Florida — the Horse- 

 crevalle of South Carolina — occurs abundantly on our southern coast, 

 and has been recorded by Professor Poey from Cuba, and by Cope from 

 St. Christopher and St. Croix. It has been so confused with other 

 species of the same genus that at present it is impossible to state its 

 distribution throughout the West Indies. The species was originally 

 described from specimens sent from South Carolina by Garden to Lin- 

 naeus. The name of this fish is usually written and printed " Crevalle," 

 but the form in common use among the fishermen of the South, Cavally, 

 is much nearer to the original Spanish name, Cavalha, or Cavalla, mean- 

 ing "horse." The name as used in South Carolina is a curious redu- 

 plication, being a combination of the English and Spanish names for 

 "horse." It should be carefully remembered that in South Carolina the 

 name Crevalle is most generally applied to quite another fish, the Pom- 

 pano. 



The Cavally, as it seems most aj^propriate to call Carangus hippos., 

 though in individual cases occurring as far north as Cape Cod, and even, 

 in one instance, at Lynn, Mass., is not commonly known in the United 

 States north of Florida. Storer remarks : "This fish is so seldom seen 

 in the waters of South Carolina that we are unacquainted with its 

 habits." 



I observed a specimen in the Jacksonville market in April, 1874. 

 Concerning the Cavally of Southern Florida, which is either this or a 

 closely allied species, Mr. H. S. Williams remarks : 



"In the Indian Eiver this is one of the best of the larger varieties. 

 Its season is from the 1st of May to November. It ranges in weight 

 from three to twenty pounds, being larger and more numerous to the 

 southward toward the Mosquito Inlet. The south end of Merritt's 

 Island and the inlets opposite old Fort C apron seem to be a sort of 

 headquarters for the Cavalli. When in pursuit of prey they are very 

 ravenous, and move with the rapidity of lightning. They readily take 

 a troll either with bait or rag. The favorite mode of capturing them, as 

 well as all other large fish that feed in shallow water or near the shore, 

 is with a rifle. The high rocky shores afford an excellent opportunity 

 for this sport, though the rapid movements of the fish render them very 

 difiicult targets." 



Mr. Stearns writes: "The Crevalle is common on the Gulf coast. In 

 West Florida it ai)pears in May and remains until late in the fall. Is 

 equallj' abundant in the bays and at sea. In the bays it is noticeable 

 from the manner in which it preys upon fish smaller than itself, the Gulf 

 Menhaden and Mullet being the most common victims. On arrival it 

 contains spawn, which it probably deposits in the salt-water bayous, for 

 in the fall schools of young are seen coming out of those places on their 



