54 BULLETIN OF TIIE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



scarcely longest, li in head. Anal comparatively long and high, its 

 longest rays 2J in head, its margin somewhat concave. 



Ventrals moderate. Vent much nearer base of ventrals than anal. 



Color rather dull grayish brown, with bluish and purple reflections 

 above, paler below ; fins all pale, or the lower more or less dusky. 

 Maxillary and outer mental barbels blackish. 



This species is not very abundant at Panama, where two specimens 

 were obtained. 



Among the species here noticed, this is decidedly the most aberrant. 

 It may be considered as the type of a distinct subgenus, characterized 

 chiefly by the position of the eyes. This group may be known as Catho- 

 rojps. (A'aOopaa>-to look down; wi/'-eye.) 



SPECIMENS IN UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



29436. Panama. Gilbert. 

 29508. Panama. Gilbert. 

 Indiana University, May 27, 1882. 



A POOR SEASON FOB SSAD HATCHING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 



By S. G. WORTH. 



(Letter to Col. M. McDonald.) 



I have been in Ealeigh a week getting the affairs of my shad work 

 fixed up. We had poor luck at Avoca; hatched only 2,2G0,000 fish. 

 We attended every haul at Dr. Capehart's fisheries, and for more than 

 a week attended three fisheries on the Eoanoke. I also attended three 

 other fisheries near Plymouth (on the Eoanoke) for three days, and 

 many of the dip-nets at Weldon. It would appear that the cause was 

 due (1) to the cold and variable weather, and (2) to the poor charac- 

 ter of fishing done at Sutton Beach, our chief source of supply. 



The catch in Albemarle Sound, according to Dr. Capehart, is smaller 

 than usual; but I am disinclined to think so. He had an inferior 

 season, running about 7,000 shad below last year. The catch on the 

 Eoanoke was better than for years; and I learn that the same increaso 

 was apparent on the jSTeuse and Tar. The Cape Fear was below last 

 year very considerably. Your jars worked beautifully, and the addi- 

 tions to the glass tubes were found unnecessary. 



Departiment or Agriculture, 



Ealeigh, JS T . C, May 20, 18S2. 



