214 AMERICAN FISHES. 



parts of the tropical Atlantic, as well as on the coast of Europe. In Great 

 Britain it is called the " Plain Bonito." It is not unusual in the Bermu- 

 das, where it is called the " Frigate Mackerel," a name not inappropriate 

 for adoption in this country, since its general appearance is more like 

 that of the Mackerel than the bonito, while in swiftness and strength it is 

 more like the larger members of this family. It is the " Timberello " of 

 the Adriatic fisher-folk. 



In the Mediterranean there is a regular fishery for this species, which 

 is prosecuted from May until September, and they are also taken in great 

 numbers in the Tunny nets. 



Since the first appearance of this fish many new observations of its 

 abundance have been received. These fish appeared to have come in 

 immense schools into the waters between Montauk Point and George's 

 Bank; and from Mr. Clarke's statements it appears that they have been 

 observed in small numbers by fishermen in previous years. Several vessels 

 have come into Newport recently reporting their presence in immense 

 numbers in the vicinity of Block Island. It will interest the " ichthyo- 

 phagists " to know that several persons in Newport have tested the fish, 

 and pronounce it inferior to the bonito. Part of the flesh, that on the 

 posterior part of the body, is white, but behind the gills it is black and 

 rank, while the meat near the backbone is said to be of disagreeable, sour 

 flavor. 



It is hard to predict what its influence will be upon other fishes already 

 occupying our waters. Its mouth is small and its teeth feeble, so that it 

 is hardly likely to become a ravager, like the bonito and the bluefish. 

 There is little probability, on the other hand, that its advent will be of 

 any special importance from an economical point of view, for its oil does 

 not seem to be very abundant, and it will hardly pay at present to capture 

 it solely for the purpose of using its flesh in the manufacture of fertilizers. 



It is very important that any observation made upon this species in 

 years to come should be reported to the United States Fish Commission. 

 The length of those I have seen ranges from twelve to sixteen inches, and 

 their weight from three-quarters of a pound to a pound and a half or more. 

 Those sent to New York market were part of the lot taken by the schooner 

 " American Eagle " and brought into Newport, whence they were shipped 

 by Mr. Thompson, a fish dealer of that place. It would require from 

 eightv to one hundred of them to fill a barrel ; so the estimate of Capt. 



