34 PUBLICATIONS OF SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



1855. Baird, Spencer F.— Contiuued. 



and Long Island, New York, furnished an opportunity of studyinR the habits and distribu- 

 tion of the principal species of fishes that are found on that portion of our shores during the 

 summer. 



"Although many others, doubtless, are to bo found in the same region, yet none have been 

 introduced except those which were actually caught and carefuUy examined. A consider- 

 able number of the species whoso habits and peculiarities are given at some length, have 

 hitherto had nothing jilaced on record concerning them ; and it is hoped that the present article 

 may bo found to contain some interesting information, given here for the first time, in addi- 

 tion to its character as a contribution to our knowledge of the geographical distribution of 

 species. 



"The difference of the names applied to the aaino species of fish at various points of our 

 coast, even when these happen to bo connected very closely, both commercially and geo- 

 graphically, must strike every one with astonishment. 



" It is scarcely too much to say that no one species of fish bears the same vernacular ap- 

 pellation from Maine to Maryland, still less to Florida or the coast of Texas. This is prob- 

 ably owing to the fact that our shores have been originally settled by various nations from 

 widely remote parts of Europe, each introducing its peculiar nomenclature, or deriving names 

 from the equally isolated aboriginal tribes with their various languages. Thus the names of 

 blue-fish, white fish, perch, blackfish, bass, king-fish, porgee, hake, tailor, whiting, horse- 

 mackerel, shad, smelt, dog-fish, &c., may apply equally to two or more verj- different species. 

 Among the synonyms of the species will bo found the vernacular equivalents in the regions 

 visited, together with some from other localities. It wiU be sufficiently evident, therefore, 

 that before any species referred to under a trivial name can be identified, the origin of the 

 fish or that of the writer must be ascertained. 



"Although most of the facts recorded in the following paper have reference to Great Egg 

 Harbor, New Jersey, during a period extending from the middle of July to the end of Au- 

 gust, it has been thought not amiss to incorporate tho results of a visit to Brooklyn, Rivex-- 

 head, and Greenpoit, Long Island, as well as to some points on the Hudson River, in Sep- 

 tember. Some valuable information was thus obtained, tending to illustrate more fully tho 

 natural histoiy and distribution of the species found on the New Jersey coast. 



"And here I take occasion to render an acknowledgment for much kind assistance and 

 important information derived from various gentlemen at the different points of operation. 

 Among these 1 will particularly mention Messrs. Samuel and Charles Ashmead, at Beesley's 

 Point, who devoted all their time to tho furtherance of my objects in this exploiation. I 

 may also mention Messrs. John Stites, Willis Godfrey, "Washington Blackman, John John- 

 son, in fact, most of the residents of Beesley's Point. Much benefit was derived at Green- 

 port, Long Island, from the comi>anionship of Mr. E. D. WiUard, of the National Hotel, 

 "Washington ; while to Mr. J. Carson Breevort, of Bedford, Long Island, well known as the 

 first ichthyologist in New York, and surpassed by no one in his knowledge of our marine 

 species, I am under the greatest obligations. Through tho kindness of Mr. John G. Bell, of 

 New York, and Smith Herring, of Piermont, I was enabled to make a complete collection of 

 the fishes of tho Upper Hackensack and Sparkill. 



" It must be understood that the present article does not aim at giving a complete account 

 of the species referred to. Such descriptions ol color as have been given were in every case 

 taken from the fresh and living fish, tho object being to place on record features not usually 

 preserved in alcoholic .specimens. Of the species whose colors were known not to fade or 

 alter in spirits, no notes of theii' peculiarities in this respect were taken, while the tints of 

 others wore so evanescent as to have escaped or altered before a description could be noted 

 down. 



"Very little respecting the habits or history of tho species has been added from other 

 authors, nor does the nomenclature profess to be at all final as to critical accuracy. To have 

 accomplished this latter object, would have required more time than is at present at my dis- 

 posal, involving, as it would, the entire revision of American ichthyology generally. The 

 names given are principally those of He Kay in his history of the fishes of New York, and 

 can thus be readily identified. 



"As wiU bo seen in the course of the article, several of the species collected appear new 

 to science ; to these I have been obliged to give names for the sake of proper reference, with- 

 out at the same time furnishing a complete scientific description. * • * * 



"The coast of New Jersey is well known to consist, for most of its extent, of a low beach, 

 with sand-hiUs, separated from the mainland by a wide strip of low meadows fiUed witli small 

 ponds, and intersected by creeks and thoroughfares, which traverse it in eVery direction. 

 There is no rock or stone of any description, and, consequently, there is a deficiency in tho 

 plants and animals which frecjuent rockj- localities. At Beesley's Point there is scarcely a. 

 pebble of the smallest size to be seen. 



