142 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



and reared iu artificial ponds which have been made in the salt marah 

 lands near that city. There are many of these ponds, and large num- 

 bers of these fishes are produced therefrom for the Honolulu market. 

 The inhabitants there rate the mullet as next to the red-fish, which is 

 taken in rather deep water and is not so abundant. I was informed 

 th'at the mullet was a very hardy fish, easily cared for, and in the opinion 

 of gentlemen of experience in such matters no difficulty would be found 

 in transporting the small fish by steamer from Honolulu to San Fran- 

 cisco. The climate of Honolulu is warm and mild even in winter, and 

 it is possible that the mullet would not thrive in our cold regions, but 

 no one at Honolulu seemed to doubt that it would do well in California. 

 Mr. C. E. Bishop, a banker of Honolulu, owns a number of ponds con- 

 taining mullet, situate on his place at Waikiki, a suburb of iJonolulu. 

 He will give you full information in respect of these fishes. The United 

 States Consul, Mr. David McKinley, is also quite familiar with the facts 

 relating to the propagation of the mullet. Mr. Bishop, I have no doubt, 

 would take pleasure in giving you assistance should you desire to obtain 

 a number of the fish for the use of the United States Commission. 



I am quite sure that the Hawaiian mullet would prove a valuable ad- 

 dition to the fo0d fishes of the United States. 



During my recent visit to Honolulu I made many inquiries in respect 

 to this and other fishes, saw many sx)ecimens, inspected the ponds, and 

 enjoyed the mullet* (very much indeed) cooked in many styles, iu all of 

 which I found them good. 



Washington, D. C, November 13, 1883. 



67 the: INCIPIEIVCY OF NIOHT-SEIIVINO FOR ITIACKEBEfj. 



By GEOKGE IflEKCIIANT, Jr. 



[From the Cape Ann Bulletin.] 



As early as 1864, seining operations were conducted in the night time 

 fior pogies, as many of the old pogie fishermen (of whom I am one) can 

 testify. Up to 1874, no mackerel of any account had been caught iu 

 this manner, although there had been a few exceptional lots. In 1874, 

 and up to 1877, a larger quantity was taken. Since the latter date, it 

 bas been the general custom of the fishermen in the latter part of the 

 summer and fall to expect to capture the greater part of their trip in 

 this manner. 



Gloucester, Mass., JSovemher 9, 1881. 



* This is said to be Mugil ChapfalU Eyd. & Soul. voy. Bonite, Zool. I, p. 1'71, pi. 4, fig. 

 1. I suppose that like other species ofMuf(il it is migratory, and that it feeds on or- 

 ganic substances found in mud aud sand. Of its propagation I have not yet been 

 able to learn anything, Jordan and Gilbert do not mention it iu their Fishes of the 

 Pacific coast. I am preparing a description. — T. H. Bean. 



