COBIA, MO OX- FISH AXD FLASHER. 147 



The range of this species along our coast is very wide. It lias been 

 found in Guatemala, and perhaps farther south, and the British Museum 

 has specimens from Texas, Santo Domingo, and Jamaica. It is said to be 

 somewhat abundant on the coast of vSouth Carolina, and not uncommon at 

 the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. They are occasionally taken about 

 Xew York, and several indixiduals have been obtained by the Fish Com- 

 mission at Woods Holl. It is occasionally taken in Southern California, 

 about San Diego. It attains the length of eighteen inches and the weight 

 of several pounds. The large adult specimens have a peculiar globular bone 

 in the head, unlike anything which has lieen found in any other fish. 

 Two species have been recognized by American ichthyologists. It seems 

 probable that these represent different ages of the same fish. The only 

 study of its habits in existence is the following, which is quoted from Mr. 

 Stearns' excellent journal of observations. 



" The Spade-Fish, ClicBtodipiei-us fabcr, is common on the West Florida, 

 Alabama, and Louisiana coasts. I have not observed it in South Florida. 

 It is found throughout the summer and fall in the bays, about wharves, 

 rock-piles, and old wrecks, where crustaceous animals are abundant. In 

 October and November large schools are seen along the sea-beaches, evi- 

 dently leaving the coast for warmer waters, at which time many are caught 

 by seine fishermen. It sjvawns in early summer, and the young are seen 

 until October. I have seen specimens of S])ade-fish fifteen inches long ; 

 but the average size is not more than eight inches. It is an excellent 

 pan-fish, selling readily in market." 



This species is known to the fishermen of the St. John's and Indian 

 Rivers, Fla., under the name " Angel-fish." Holbrook states that it ap- 

 pears on the shores of South Carolina in May and June, and is then taken 

 in considerable numbers with the sei'"'.e. Jordan states that it is common 

 at Beaufort, X. C, where it is used as a food-fish. Lugger remarks that 

 it is not uncommon in the salt-water region near the entrance to Chesa- 

 peake Bay, but is seldom, if ever, brought to the Baltimore markets. 

 DeKay remarks that in the waters of New York it only appears jDeriodi- 

 cally, and occasionally in great numbers during the summer months. 

 About 1822 they were caught here in seines in great numbers, and exposed 

 in the markets for sale. I am not aware that any such incursion has since 

 been observed. On the coast of California, where, according to Jordan, 

 It is occasionally taken about San Diego in the kelp, it is too rare to be of 

 commercial im])ortance. 



