PREFACE 



The following report on The Fishes of North Carolina has been prepared 

 to meet the numerous inquiries that are constantly being received by the Geo- 

 logical and Economic Survey concerning the fishes found in the different waters 

 of the State. It has been the desire of the State Geologist to awaken an in- 

 creased interest in the local fishes, and to give to the people of North Carolina 

 and to others a more accurate knowledge of the abundance, distribution, habits, 

 migrations, spawning, food value, etc., of the fishes, in the belief that suah 

 knowledge will lead to a fuller realization of the economic importance of the 

 fishery resources of the State. It is desirable also that there be created a deeper 

 interest in the welfare of both fishes and fishermen, and a better understanding 

 of the condition and needs of the fishing industry, with a view to placing this 

 important branch on a permanent basis and making it yield an increasing 

 revenue to both State and people. 



In this report there is an account of every fish that has been ascertained to 

 inhabit the fresh, brackish, or salt waters of North Carolina. All local names 

 by which the fishes are known are recorded, and diagnostic descriptions are 

 given that are often based on local specimens. Colored plates or text cuts 

 representing a very large number of the species have been provided. While 

 the chief aim in preparing the report has been to make it of practical usefulness 

 to the fishing interests, the scientific aspects of the subject have not been neg- 

 lected, and the work w'ill be found to have a value to ichthyologists and to 

 zoologists in general. 



The report is particularly useful in that it affords a means of identifying 

 any fish that may be taken in State waters. The artificial keys are based on 

 external characters that commercial fishermen and anglers may readily appre- 

 ciate; and the copious index of common names gives a further clue to all the 

 species whose size makes them objects of capture. 



In the preparation of this work the assistance and knowledge of many 

 local people have been availed of, and to these Dr. Smith makes acknowledg- 

 ment in his introduction and text. 



It is hoped that this volume will be the means of creating such an interest 

 in the fisheries that suitable laws for their protection may be enacted as needed, 

 and that the State officers charged with the administration of the fisheries 

 may have the sympathy and cooperation of all citizens. 



Joseph Hyde Pratt, 



State Geologist. 



