80 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION, 



runs back far into the last century, the names given to the plates of 

 Parra being still current. A few names, not given by Professor Poey, 

 may be noticed. The "Scamp" {Upinephelus falcatus) is here "Baca- 

 lao" instead of "Abadejo," both words meaning codfish. The Sheeps- 

 head, not mentioned in Cuban lists, although certainly sometimes sent 

 from here to the Havana market, is " Sargo Raiado." The Eed Snapper 

 here, as with the Spanish fishermen on the Texas coast, is " Pargo 

 Colorado." The name, "Sailor's Choice," is one having a singular 

 variety of meanings. Korthward along our coast it is sometimes ap- 

 plied to the fish here known as Bream {Biplodus rliomboides). At Jack- 

 sonville, Fla., the Sailor's Choice is Pomadasys chrysopterus, known at 

 Key West as " Whiting," while at Cedar Key the choice of the sailor 

 falls on Diplodus holhrooM. In Key West the Sailor's Choice is a kind 

 of Grunt (Hcemulon parrce). 

 Key West, Fla., December 20, 1883. 



36— FOOO QIJAXilTIES OF TARPUM (IflEOAIiOPS). 

 By C. J. KENIIVOBTHY. 



[From a letter to Prof. S. F. Baird.] 



I would respectfully suggest the propriety of your directing the at- 

 tention of fishermen and fish dealers to the edible qualities of the Tar- 

 pum. As a food-fish it is excelled by but few j and as it exists in great 

 numbers it should be utilized. 



Jackson VLLLE, Fla., December 25, 1883. 



37.— occurrence: of Miri.i:<x:T iiv fresb ttater. 

 By IIVALTSB HOXIX:. 



[From a letter to Prof. S. F. Baird.] 



I was hunting on Edding's Island a few days since, and found Mullet 

 in large quantities in a fresh-water pond. This pond was flooded with 

 salt water about three years ago, and the Mullet must have been 

 there ever since ; but now it is perfectly fresh, and does not taste in 

 the least brackish. I have never seen this fish living in fresh water 

 before, so I communicate the fact to you, thinking it may be of inter- 

 est. If they will breed in fresh-water ponds they would, it seems to 

 me, be a valuable fish for stocking purposes. 



Fkogmgee, Beaufokt County, S. C, 



January 18, 1884. 



