Diplodus 



better-known fish in the markets of our Atlantic seaboard cities and 

 towns. 



As a game-fish the sheepshead is one of the most popular among 

 our salt-water species, and there are many noted places between New 

 York and Biscayne Bay where anglers resort for its capture. As long 

 ago as 1 8 14 Samuel Latham Mitchill, the naturalist-senator of New 

 York, wrote in highest praise of the pleasures of angling for sheeps- 

 head: "When a sheepshead is brought on board more joy is mani- 

 fested than by the possession of any other kind of fish. The sports- 

 men view the exercises so much above common fishing that the cap- 

 ture of the sheepshead is the most desirable combination of luck and 

 skill; and the feats of hooking and landing him safely in the boat fur- 

 nish abundant materials for the most pleasing and hyperbolical stories. 

 The sheepshead is a very stout fish, and the hooks and lines are 

 strong in proportion; yet he frequently breaks them and makes his 

 escape." 



And good old Thaddeus Norris says: "In fishing with a hand- 

 line, which is the usual mode of taking him, the sheepshead gives one 

 or two slight premonitory jerks, and then a steady pull, when the 

 fisherman gathers in his line as fast as possible, the fish coming along 

 with a heavy drag. When he approaches the boat, there is a desperate 

 contest; there is much probability of his breaking the hook, or his 

 quick downward lunges are apt to snap the line; then the fisher takes 

 in slack or lets the line run through his fingers, as the actions of the 

 fish dictate, and when a proper opportunity offers, throws him into 

 the boat. His pull is at first strong and steady, but as he comes to 

 the surface, his lunges are quick and desperate." 



Our personal experience with the sheepshead has been chiefly at 

 Indian River Inlet, one of Senator Quay's favourite fishing-grounds, 

 and about Baldwin Lodge, Mississippi, where the Hon. A. Baldwin and 

 other enthusiastic anglers of New Orleans find royal sport with this 

 and other gamy species. 



So well known is the sheepshead that it needs no detailed de- 

 scription. 



GENUS DIPLODUS RAFINESQUE 



This genus is close to Archosargiis, from which it differs chiefly 

 in having no procumbent dorsal spine. There are 3 species in our 



443 



