260 NATURAL HISTORY. 



to this fisli, which is, I think, too low. Ten inches would he nearer 

 the average length of those brought to market last year. 



The weak fish is seldom sold at more than six or eight cents per 

 pound. 



• 

 16. CoRViNA ocELLATAj {Mit.) Cuv. and Vol. 



DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, p. 70, fig. 61. 



This scienoid is known to our fishermen under the name of "red 

 fish" and sometimes "branded drum." It is seldom sold in the New 

 York markets. I saw a few in the month of February of the present 

 year which, I was informed by the fishermen, were sent from Charles- 

 ton, S. C. Fifteen cents per pound were asked for them. 



I have never seen the Corvina argyroleuca, Cuv. and Val., in the 

 markets. 



17. Umbrina alburnus, {Lin.) Cuv. and Val. 

 DeKat, N. Y. Fauna, p. 78, fig. 20. 



This most excellent fish is brought to market during almost the 

 same periods as the weak fish. It appears, however, to be slightly 

 later in its arrival on our coast, for last summer the weak fish had 

 been brought to market two weeks before I saw any king fish. The 

 king fish is not quite as abundant as the weak fish. It hardly brings 

 a price commensurate with its good qualities, being rarely more than 

 twelve cents per pound, and often not over ten cents. 



18. LOBOTES SURINAMENSIS. 



DeKat, N. Y. Fauna, p. 88, fig. 49. 



I saw a single specimen of this species in Fulton market last year, 

 which remained exposed on the stall from the thirtieth of August till 

 the sixth of September. It did not seem to be known. The owner 

 called it "flasher;" why it was so named, I was unable to learn. 

 The individual on sale was about fifteen inches in length, and a 

 dollar was demanded for it. 



19. PoGONiAS cHROMis, {Lin.) Cuv. and Val. 

 DeKat, N. Y. Fauna, p. 80. 



A few "drums" w^ere brought to market last year in the early part 

 of June, and again towards the end of September. These are the only 

 occasions on which I remember to have seen them. Most of them 

 were, I should think, about thirty inches in length. 



SPARID^, Cuv. 



20. Sargus ovis, {Mit.) Cuv. and Val. 

 DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, p. 89, fig. 23. 

 This species, so well known to our citizens as the "sheepshead," is 

 brought to market during the months from May to October, inclusive — 



