466 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



4. It is Diore abuudaut than auy other fivsh that frequent the waters 

 of North Carolina, say 5 to 3. 



5. They have increased in abundance within the last ten years. 



G. The supposed cause is that their enemies are not so numerous. 



7. The amount or extent of the change in abundance cannot be ascer- 

 tained. 



8. The greatest length to which this fish attains is about IG inches. 



9. The rate of growth per annum, &c., is not known by any one in the 

 Community, no attention being paid to it. 



10. The sexes difl'er somewhat in shape and size ; the male is as long 

 but not so large as the female. 



11. These fish generally come in to the shore on the northern coast, 

 and run along the beach south, running into the different inlets. In the 

 first of the season they may be seen, in moderate weather, five or six 

 miles at sea in large schools, half a mile long and all aloug the coast, 

 lying apparently at ease floating upon the surface of the water. This 

 habit they indulge in until the latter part of October, when the bluefish 

 or taylor arrives ; then they seek protection in the surf near the beach, 

 and are washed ashore by thousands. I might be safe in saying hun- 

 dreds of thousands are washed ashore in one night or during one flood- 

 tide. 



12. They continue to run south, or rather are driven by the taylors 

 until December, after which only a very few are seen in the sound. 



13. It is unknown to any one here where they spend the winter season. 



14. The fish come near the shore upon their first arrival on the coast, 

 but the main body does not come in until driven in by the taylors and 

 dogfish about the first of November. The first are generally the small- 

 est. I think they are continually on the coast from the time of their 

 arrival to the time of their departure; but sometimes they are seen in 

 larger quantities than others, say once to twice a week. 



15. In some seasons the fish leave the shore in a body, and at differ- 

 ent times during the season ; but when they leave the coast for the 

 south they go by degrees, commencing about the first of December. 



16. The appearance of these fish in the sound, and at sea off the 

 coast, is certain every season ; but they only come near the seabeach 

 when driven in by the taylor and dogfish. 



17. The runs do not differ, except in quantity. Some seasons the runs 

 are very large in October ; but in November they are not so plentiful, 

 and vice versa. 



18. As far as my knowledge extends, both sexes come in together. 

 The spawn is about two-thirds developed when they first arrive. 



19. These fish never take the hook. 



20. These fish never take the hook. 



21. The schools of fish swim high in moderate weather, but in high 

 winds and rough seas they run in deep water. Their arrival is some- 

 times known by the schools which are seen at sea, lying at ease appa- 



