1 1 S AMERICAN FISHES. 



flood tide. They are found in the winter as far south as St. Augustine, 

 and possibly below this point, although we have no positive assurance of 

 this fact. 



At present they are thought to be more abundant than any other fish on 

 the Carolina coast, with the exception of the mullet, having increased in 

 numbers largely (at least twofold) within the last fifteen years, possibly 

 in consequence of the intermission of capture during the war. The 

 average length is about eighteen inches, with a weight of two pounds, 

 although they are not unfrequently found three feet in length and ten 

 pounds' weight. They are often found outside of the beach in great 

 numbers in January, coming in to the shore when the water is warm, 

 about February, as stated. School follows school at intervals of about 

 four or five days, when they seem to go northward and to be absent from 

 the Southern coast for several months. On their return in September, 

 after a short stay, they gradually leave the coast until they finally disappear 

 for the season. Their return season by season is very regular and definite, 

 being relied upon with much confidence. The successive "runs" do not 

 seem to be classified in any particular way, large and small fish of both 

 sexes coming in together. The colder the weather the less tendency they 

 appear to exhibit to come towards the shore. 



At their first appearance in the spring the spawn is not appreciable, nor, 

 according to Dr. Yarrow, do they have any development of the ovaries 

 during their stay on that coast ; and he is under the impression that they 

 breed during their autumnal and winter stay farther south. This, how- 

 ever, is scarcely probable, it being more likely that their spawning ground 

 is more to the north, perhaps off the coast of Virginia. 



Their presence is generally made known by the schools of porpoises 

 which follow and feed upon them. Swimming low in the water, they 

 make no ripple on the surface, as is the case with mullets. The time of 

 their capture is usually on the young flood, as in their movements along 

 the shore they come in on the rising tide and depart on the ebb. 



Like their representatives in the north, these fishes are fond of penetrat- 

 ing, for a short distance at least, into the mouths of rivers, remaining, 

 however, only about a week ; this, according to Dr. Yarrow, is their 

 habit on the coast of North Carolina, before leaving for the North. 



A singular phenomenon illustrating the delicate organization of this 

 and the related species, is described by Mr. N. E. Armstrong, of On- 



