FISHES OF NEW YORK 319 



This species reaches a length of 4 feet. It is very destructive 

 to small fishes, which are readily seized in its long and strongly 

 toothed jaws. In the Gulf of Mexico the habits of the silver 

 gar have been observed by Silas Stearns, whose notes are to be 

 found in the Fishery Industries of tlie Vmted States. It is found 

 at Pensacola Fla. in the summer, but retreats farther south in 

 the winter. 



The silver gar swims at the surface and feeds on schools of 

 small fish. On the New York coast it devours killifishes, 

 anchovies, silversides, and other little species. Its movements 

 are swift and its aim certain. It has been known to seize 

 mullet and other fish one third as large as itself and is some- 

 times killed by attempting to swallow spiny fish too large to 

 pass through its throat. It spawns in the bays in May and June. 

 Mr Stearns found it to- be an excellent food fish, though it is 

 seldom eaten on the Florida coast. 



Though the fish is one of excellent flavor and, according to 

 DeKay, greatly relished by epicures, it meets with little favor in 

 northern markets. Nothing is recorded about its breeding 

 habits except the statement of Silas Stearns that it spawns in 

 the bavs of the Gulf coast in Mav and June. The fish is not 

 hardy in transportation and in captivity. 



159 Tylosurus raphidoma (Ranzani) 



Hound fish; Guard fsli 



Belone raphidoma Ranzaxi, Nov. Comm. Ac. Nat. Sci. Inst. Bonon. V. 359, 



pi. 37, fig. 1, 1842, Brazil; Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. VI, 249, 



1866. 

 Belotie gei'ania CrviER & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss. XVIII, 437, 



1846, Martinique; Gunther, op. cit. 241, 1866. 

 Belone orassa Poey, Memorias, II, 291, 1861, Cuba. 



Beloue melanocliira Poey, op. cit. 294, 1861; Gunther, op. cit. 249, 1866. 

 Tylosurus gladius Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 239, 4.30, 1S82, Pensacola; 



Bull. U. S. F. C. YII, 146, pi. II, fig. 15, 1888, young. Ocean City, 



N. J. 

 Tylosurus crassus Jordan, Proc. IJ. S. Nat. Mus. 112. 1884. 

 Tylosurus raphidoma Jordan & Evermann, Bull. 47, U. S. Nat. Mus. 715, 



1896, pi. CXVI, fig. 308, 1900. 



Body robust, little compressed, its greatest width a little more 

 than two thirds its greatest depth, which is about one fourth 



