SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 



187 



This species inhabits all the warm seas. It was not observed in United 

 States waters until 1880, when it came in countless numbers to the southern 

 New England coast. It has since been reported from time to time at various 

 points on our Atlantic coast. Two long-established and well-informed fish 

 dealers at Beaufort report that this species occurs there as a straggler, and is not 



Fig. 75. Frigate Mackerel. Auxis thazard. 



distinguished by fishermen from the related species locally called " bonito ". The 

 frigate mackerel reaches a weight of 3 or 4 pounds, probably averaging only 2 

 pounds; and is of very inferior quality as food. The posterior muscles are white, 

 but those near the head are black and rank. 



Genus GYMNOSARDA Gill. Little Tunnies. 

 Large oceanic fishes, with robust form, destitute of scales except about 

 pectorals, ventrals, and spinous dorsal; with dorsal fins close together, the 

 anterior with 15 or 16 spines; and with no teeth on vomer. Of the 2 species 

 occasionally found on our coasts, only 1 is known from North Carolina, but the 

 other {Gymnosarda pela7nis , the oceanic bonito) is likely to be taken any season. 

 {Gymnosarda, naked bonito.) 



160. GYMNOSARDA ALLETERATA (Rafinesque). 



"Bonito"; "Bolter"; Little Tiinny. 



Scomber alleteratus Rafinesque, Caratteri di alcuni nuovi generi e nuovi specie di animali e piante della Sicilia, 



46, 1810; Palermo. 

 Gymnosarda allelerata, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 869, pi. cxxxiv, fig. 366. 



Diagnosis. — Body stout, fusiform, the depth .25 length; head contained 3.75 times in 

 length; eye small, .16 to .2 length of head, about .5 length of snout; dorsal rays xv or xvi+ 12, 

 with 8 finlets; anal rays 12, with 7 finlets; pectorals about .5 length of head. Color: back 

 blue, with wavy, oblique dark stripes; sides and belly silvery; 5 round black spots, size of pupil, 

 below pectoral fin. {allelerata, an Italian name for this fish.) 



The little tunny has at times been seen in abundance in southern Massachu- 

 setts and elsewhere on our east coast, going in large schools. It is very irregular 

 in its appearance, and may not be recorded during several years. Dr. Coker 

 reports that this fish is known to the Beaufort fishermen as "bonito" or, some- 

 times, "bolter". 



