'^ 



-N?^X; 





THE BUTTER-FISH. 



THE HARVEST FISHES. 



After the battle, the peace is dear. 



After the toil, the rest ; 

 After the storm, when the skies are clear. 



Fair is the ocean's breast. 



Out in the gold sunshine 



Throw we the net and line ; 



The silvery chase to-day 



Calls us to work away, 

 So throw the line, throw — Yo, heave ho ! 



Fishers must work when the treacherous sea 



Smiles with a face of light. 

 Though the deep bed, where their fortunes be. 



May be their grave ere night. 



Out in the gold sunshine 



Throw we the net and line ; 



The silvery lines to-day 



Flash in the silvery spray. 

 So throw the line, throw — Yo, heave ho ! 



Herman MerivAle, The Fisherman' s Song:. 



'nPHE Rudder-Fish family, Stroinateidce, is represented on the coast by- 

 three species, two of which are important food-fishes, and in our Pa- 

 cific waters by one species, the so-called ''California Pompano." The 

 family is a small one, and is widely distributed throughout warm seas. 



The ''Butter-fish" of Massachusetts and New York, Stromateiis triacan- 

 tliiis, sometimes known in New Jersey as the "Harvest-fish," in Maine as 

 the " Dollar-fish," about Cape Cod as the " Sheepshead," and " Skip- 

 iack," in Connecticut as the "Pumpkin-seed," and at Norfolk as the 

 " Star-fish," is common between Cape Cod and Cape Henry. It has been 

 observed south to South Carolina and north to Maine. It has been found 

 in some abundance along the north side of Cape Cod in nets with bass 

 and mackerel. It is a summer visitor, appearing in our waters in company 



