46 AMERICAN FISHES. 



The first catch of the day is always watched for with the greatest interest, 

 for upon it depends the ownership of a number of small pools that have 

 "been made up among the passengers. Other points to be scored are the 

 largest catches of the day in numbers and weight, and the catching of the 

 heaviest single fish. 



Late in the afternoon the anchor is lifted, lines are drawn in, and the 

 steamer is headed toward home. Then comes a time of great interest. 

 The fish are cleaned, sorted, weighed, examined with care, passed around 

 for inspection, and commented upon. Special lots are laid aside for home 

 consumption and for distribution among friends ; and frequently those who 

 have made the large catches, and have more than they know how to dis- 

 pose of otherwise, raffle them off or present them to the crew of the 

 steamer."* 



This species is captured in great quantities in the pounds and traps of 

 Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts. Its distribution is wide, many 

 of its haunts are unfrequented by fishermen, and it is probable that its im- 

 portance as a food fish will increase in years to come. In 1880, over 350,000 

 pounds were sold in New York city. 



There is a small species, Serranus trifurcus, resembling the Sea-Bass 

 which has been found only in the vicinity of Charleston, S. C, and Pen- 

 sacola, Fla., where it is called the "Rock Black-fish." It occasionally 

 finds its way to the Charleston markets. 



The Squirrel fish, Serranus fascicularis, is a beautifully colored species, 

 usually to be seen in the markets of Charleston, north of which locality it 

 has not been found. The following paragraph from Holbrook's "Ich- 

 thyology of South Carolina," contains all that has been observed regard- 

 ing its habits : " Little can be said of the habits of this fish. It, however, 

 appears in our waters in May and June, and remains until November. It 

 is occasionally taken with the hook on the black-fish grounds, but is never 

 abundant. Southward it ranges at least to Brazil." 



* Harper's Weekly, Nov. i, 1884. (With illustrations.) 



