116 POGONIAS CROMIS. 



two thirds the abdominal cavity, and is then reflected to the pylorus, where it is concealed by the 

 coEcal appendages, whence it returns to end in the rectum, which is more capacious, has thinner 

 walls, and no rectal valve. The spleen is large, and of a very dark purple colour. 



The air-bladder is one of the most curious of its organs ; it is large and long, nearly the entire 

 length of the abdomen, rather sub-ovate, larger, rounded, and free behind, smaller and closely ad- 

 herent to the anterior part of the vertebral column before ; from each anterior corner, both right and 

 left, proceeds forwards to a pit in front of the first rib a short cornu, with its outer margin fes- 

 tooned ; if this be examined from within, it will be seen that there is but one canal by which it 

 communicates with the general cavity of the air-bladder, and that the festoons are but so many 

 tubes from this small horn ; behind this is placed a lateral horn, which is much more capacious; it 

 runs outwards and upwards through an opening between the first and second ribs, and is then 

 lodged in a large cavity, which extends on the outside of the ribs as far as the fourth ; this has also 

 a festooned border, and if opened there will be seen six or seven canals leading from the cavity of 

 the air-bladder to the cavity of this great horn, and that all along the festooned border are tubes of 

 greater or less extent. From the posterior of these tubes runs backwards along the side of the air- 

 bladder a tube, which is pervious for some distance only, and is then continued to its posterior ex- 

 tremity as a fibrous chord. The air-bladder both above and below has a white, satin-like appear- 

 ance, with transverse fibres ; below and on each side along its posterior half are thick, strong, trans- 

 verse muscular fibres ; these do not meet in the middle, but leave a space of two inches or more, 

 where the proper coats of the air-bladder are exposed ; internally, it exhibits a most beautiful satin- 

 like appearance, with numerous blotches of vascular spots, and with distinct longitudinal white 

 fibres. The testicles, when empty, are narrow, flattened, with sharp margins, and extend from the 

 third rib to near the vent before they unite. The kidneys are large in front, on each side the 

 spine, but gradually become smaller, and terminate at about the seventh rib ; behind this is an- 

 other separate and unconnected lobe, much thicker, shaped like a chestnut, and partially marked 

 with a median groove below, and of a much redder brown. 



Habits. The Pogonias cromis, though an inhabitant of our waters throughout 

 the year, is only taken abundantly in April, which is its spawning season. At this 

 time the Drum enters the different bays and inlets of salt water along the shores 

 of South Carolina, to deposit its spawn, and then begins its drumming noise ; this 

 season passed, the sound is no longer heard, and the fish is then rarely taken. 

 Broad River or Port Royal Harbour, which is the deepest and most capacious bay 

 along our whole southern coast, is a chosen place of resort for these animals, and 

 great numbers are there annually taken. Mr. Elliot says as many as twelve thou- 

 sand have been captured in one season. The way in which the singular sound 



