INLAND FISHERIES. 23 



than in the fall, we may infer that their increased size makes them a 

 more ready prey to the larger fish and cetaceans, or that they have 

 accomplished their ordinary period of life ; possibly that they have 

 broken up into smaller parties, less conspicuous to observation, or that 

 they have materially changed their locality. The average length of 

 the fish that appear in the spring off the coast of Virginia and the 

 southern part of New Jersey, according to Dr. Coues, Dr. Yarrow, 

 and my own observation, is about one foot, being probably about one 

 year old. 



As a general rule, those of the smaller size keep close to the shore 

 and can always be met with, while the larger ones go in schools and 

 remain farther outside. 



"I was unable to obtain any very young fish about Wood's HoU in 

 1871, the smallest found making their appearance quite suddenly along 

 the coast, especially in the little bays, about the middle of August, 

 and then measuring about five by one and one-fifth inches. By the 

 end of a year they probably constitute the twelve or fifteen inch fish 

 referred to as occurring along the southern coast. The fish of the third 

 year, or those two years old, are possibly the three-pound fish, while 

 the five to seven pound fish may be considered a year older still. Ac- 

 curate observations are wanting, however, to determine these facts ; 

 as also whether they require two years, or three or more, to obtain suf- 

 ficient maturity for breeding. As far as I know, there is no appreci- 

 able difference between the sexes in their rate of growth or weight, 

 excepting that the female is likely to be a little deeper in the body." 



A blue-fish weighing one pound measures about fourteen inches ; 

 two pounds, seventeen inches ; three pounds, twenty-one inches ; four 

 pounds, twenty-four inches ; five pounds, twenty-six inches ; six 

 pounds, twenty-six to twenty-seven inches, and eight pounds, twenty- 

 nine inches. 



Stearns on Blue-fish in the Gulf of Mexico.— My. Stearns' notes on 

 the occurrence of the blue-fish in the Gulf of Mexico are so important 

 that they are quoted in full : 



