SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 



129 



Shad catch of North Carolina, by apparatus, for a term of years. — Continued. 



The proportion of male and female shad varies considerably with the season; 

 some years the sexes are about equally divided, while in other years two thirds of 

 the catch may consist of one or the other. The following figures pertain to the 

 North Carolina shad fishery in 1896: 



Items. 



Number of fish caught 



Percentage 



Weight lbs. 



Percentage 



Value 



Percentage 



Average weight lbs . 



Average value per fish 



Average value per pound 



The shad fishery of North Carolina steadily increased until a few years ago 

 and at one time exceeded that of any other state. The climax was reached in 

 1896 and 1897; other years of maximum production were 1900 to 1902. Owing, 

 however, to excessive fishing a decline has set in and the welfare of the fishery has 

 become seriously threatened. The principal cause of the decrease has been the 

 catching of disproportionately large quantities of fish in or near salt water, with a 

 resulting diminution in the supply of fish on the spawning grounds. This matter 

 received special attention at the hands of the legislature in 1904, and a law 

 designed to afford greater protection to the shad was enacted and became effec- 

 tive in 1905. 



Genus OPISTHONEMA Gill. Thread Herrings. 



Small sea clupeids, chiefly distinguished by the elongated posterior dorsal 

 ray; deep compressed body; long and numerous gill-rakers; no teeth in jaws; 

 adherent scales; and strong scutes on median line of abdomen. {Opisthonema , 



thread-back.) 



111. OPISTHONEMA OGLINUM (LeSueur). 

 "Hairy-back"; Thread Herring. 



Megalops oglina LeSueur, Journal Academy Natural Sciences Philadelphia, i, 1817, 359; Newport, Rhode Island. 

 Opisthonema thrissa. Yarrow, 1877, 215; Beaufort Harbor. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 385; Beaufort Harbor. 

 Opisthonema oglinum,, Jenkins, 1887, 85; Cape Lookout. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 432. 



Diagnosis. — Form oblong, compressed, body depth .33 total length; head short, deep, its 

 length .25 total length; lower jaw slightly projecting, upper jaw extending as far as middle of 



