48 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



except for certain unanthenticated statements by fishermen, I know 

 of no evidence that ripe specimens of this fish have ever been taken. 

 Yet this species is very abundant on the southern coast of New 

 England from May to October, and therefore the ahnost absolute lack 

 of observations bearing on its breeding habits is good reason for 

 believing that it does not spawn in our waters during the summer 

 months. With regard to this subject, Rathbun says: — "Nothing is 

 positively known regarding the breeding habits of this species except 

 that it does not spawn in the shallow water near the shore." (Report, 

 U. S. Fish Com., XVII, 1889, 161.) 



Pseudojjleuronedes americanus. 



Agassiz and Whitman (1885) state that the eggs of this species are 

 found at Newport in May and June, but are most common in July 

 and August. They are described as closely resembling the eggs of the 

 cunner (Tautagolahrus adspersus) and not easily distinguishable from 

 them. These statements, however, are quite erroneous, since it has 

 long been known that this species spawns in February, March, and 

 April, and that the eggs are demersal (Rathburn, loc. cit.). The 

 error of Agassiz and Whitman in the identification of these eggs has 

 already been pointed out by Cunningham (Jour. Mar. Biol. Ass., Ill, 

 1893-95, 244). 



Plagusia. 



In discussing the young attributed to this genus, Agassiz (1878-79) 

 says: " What eventually becomes of this species I am not able to say 

 and it is not improbable that this species is identical with that de- 

 scribed by Steentrup, and it may also be the young of the Plagusia 

 found on the Atlantic coast of the southern States." Nevertheless, 

 one may well be excused for doubting the probability that the eggs 

 of a species not reported north of Cape Hatteras should be taken at 

 Newport. Apropos of these specimens, Cunningham has said: — 

 "Agassiz described transition stages, quite similar to those of Steen- 



