NATURAL HISTORY. 261 



rather more frequently and abundantly in June — but rarely in any 

 great numbers. I have never seen more than thirty at a single time, 

 and it is seldom that more than five or six are seen. It is very much 

 esteemed hy the New Yorkers and brings a high price. 



I do not recollect having seen the sand porgee {Sargus arenosuSy 

 DeEay,) in market. 



21. Pagrus argyrops. 



DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, p. 95, fig. 25. 



The porgee is the most common fish of the summer months, and 

 our markets are supplied with them to excess. Owing to this abund- 

 ance, although an excellent article of food, they are sold very cheap, 

 three to six cents being the retail price per pound. 



They were brought last year towards the end of April, and were as 

 abundant on the first day that I saw them in market as at any subse- 

 quent period, none' appearing forerunners of larger bands, as appears 

 to be the case with some of our summer visitants. Unlike their 

 arrival, however, they disappear by degrees, and become fewer in 

 number as the autumn advances. Some linger till about the end of 

 November. 



SCOMBRIDiE, Cuv. 



22. Scomber vernalis, {Mit.) Cuv. and Val. 



DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, p. 101, fig. 34. 



Brought to market in the months of May, June, and July, and sold 

 for ten or twelve cents a pound. 



23. Scomber qrex, {Mit.) Cuv. and Val. 

 DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, p. 103, fig, 32. 

 Two or three months intervene between the time that the former 

 species disappears from the markets and the one in question is first 

 brought here, 



24. Scomber colias, Cuv. and Val. 



DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, p. 104, fig. 33. 



This species does not appear to be very abundant here. I saw but 

 very few last year during the months of July and August. 



25. Pelamys sarda, (Block) Ctcv. and Val. 



DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, p. 106, fig 27. 



A few specimens of this species were exposed for sale last year at 

 different times in the months of August and September. 



26. Cybium MACULATUM, {Hit.) Cuv. and Val. 

 DeKay, N, Y, Fauna, p, 108, fig, 232, 

 This species, known to our citizens as the " Spanish mackerel," is 

 brought to market during the same months as the preceding species. 

 It is not very common. 



