THE SQUETEAGUES. 



117 



unci it is probable that the name " Sea Trout " will always be used. Genio 

 Scott proposed the name "Spotted Silver-sides," which is not particularly 

 -appropriate, and which no one but himself has ever used. 



THE SPOTTED SQUETEAGUE. 



The history of American fishes contains very little respecting the habits 

 of this species, although it is so important an element of food to the 

 inhabitants of the Southern coast. We have, however, been favored by 

 Dr. H. C. Yarrow w'ith notes made at Fort Macon, N. C, in which many 

 of the deficiencies in our information are supplied. According to his 

 account, the Spotted Trout is not found in that locality during the winter, 

 or only in small numbers, making its first appearance in February on its 

 way from the south, and attaining its greatest abundance about the middle 

 of April. 



Little is known of its rate of growth, although, according to some ob- 

 servers, this increase amounts to about six inches per annum; so that a 

 fish of average size, or eighteen inches, may be considered as three years 

 old. There is no perceptible difference in the sexes as to rate of growth 

 or general appearance, excepting in the fuller belly of the female. 



Dr. Yarrow states that they come from the south in the spring and pass 

 through the inlets on the flood tide, the date of their first appearance 

 varying with that of the opening of spring. They remain in the vicinity 

 of the inlets and sounds on the coast of North Carolina until about May, 

 Avhen they gradually proceed northward, extending their journey as far as 

 the shores of Long Island, where a few only are taken, although, perhaps, 

 their number may be considerable. They reappear on the coast of North 

 Carolina in September, and thence proceed south, following the same 

 •course as that by which they came, but leaving on the ebb instead of the 



