220 BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



THE ESCOLARS. FAMILY GEMPYLID^ 



These fishes are closely allied to the true mackerels, the most obvious dif- 

 ferences being that they lack the keels on the sides of the caudal peduncle so char- 

 acteristic of the mackerels. 



81. Escolar (Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco) 

 Oilfish; Scourfish; Plaintail 

 Jordan and Evermann, 1896-1900, p. 879. 



Description. — In its elongate fusiform outline and in the general arrangement 

 of its fins this fish suggests the mackerel family. Its first (spiny) dorsal (13 to 15 

 spines), like that of the Spanish mackerel, is much longer than the second dorsal 

 (18 soft rays). It is separable at a glance from all Gulf of Maine mackerels by the 

 fact that there are only 2 dorsal and 2 anal finlets and that the skin is set with 

 bony plates with short spines instead of being velvety with small scales, as it is in 

 the case of the mackerels. The caudal fin is deeply forked. The first dorsal is 

 much lower than the second and the anal is situated below the second dorsal, which 

 it parallels in its outlines. 



Size. — It grows to a weight of at least 100 pounds. 



Color. — Described as purpUsh brown, darkest above with blackish patches, and 

 the inside of the mouth as dusky. 



General range. — Tropical parts of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean in 

 moderately deep water (usually 300 to 400 fathoms). It is plentiful about Cuba 

 though not reported at Porto Rico, and has been known to stray as far north as the 

 Grand Banks of Newfoundland. There is a regular fishery for it off Cuba and about 

 the Canaries; also in the Pacific. 



Occurrence in the Gulf of Maine. — Two escolars, respectively 49 inches and 6 feet 

 long, were brought in to the United States Fish Commission from Georges Bank 

 during the autumn of 1891.^' 



THE CUTLASFISHES. FAMILY TRICHIURH).® 



82. Cutlasflsh ( Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus) 

 Hairtail; Scabbardfish; Silver eel; Ribbandfish 



Jordan and Evermann, I89&-1900, p. 889. 



Description. — The most striking characteristics' of the cutlasfish are its band- 

 like form tapering to a pointed whiplike tail, without caudal fin, the single long 

 low dorsal fin (about 135 rays) originating close behind the eye and diminishing to 

 nothing some distance in front of the tip of the tail, and the long barbed fangs in 

 the front of its mouth, four in the upper and two in the lower jaw. The head is 

 about twice as long as the fish is deep, with pointed snout, mouth gaping back to 

 below the eye, and lower jaw projecting beyond thg upper. Each of the jaws is 



" Approximate location 41° 40' N., 07° 44' W. See Qoode and Bean, 1896, p. 197. 



