SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 313 



No recent statistics have been gathered to show the relative catch of 

 "spotted trout" and "gray trout" in this state. In 1880 the yield of the former 

 was 950,000 pounds as against only 170,000 pounds of the latter. Dr. Coker 

 contributes the following data pertaining to the year 1903 and the seasons imme- 

 diately preceding in the Beaufort region : 



The spotted trout is taken now in spring and fall as it was formerly, but not in such 

 quantities as in winter. The special value of this fish to the fisherman at present is that it is 

 caught during the winter when other fish are scarce. The winter fishing is of recent develop- 

 ment, and large schools of spotted trout are now found. It is hardly to be supposed that 

 fishermen who sail up and down the sounds and bays, and whose daily experience trains their 

 eyes to detect schools of fish, have for years overlooked such schools as now appear in frequented 

 or easily accessible places. Presumably, the presence of these schools in winter presents 

 something new and unexplained. Possibly the explanation could be found in changed condi- 

 tions at some other originally frequented place. Sometimes a school of trout is found in 

 some creek where it is possible to hem them in and hold them. Then by some device the law 

 against placing an obstruction entirely across such creeks is evaded or disregarded, and the 

 entire school of possibly ten or fifteen thousand pounds is taken out at once, or in installments. 

 Two years ago an immense catch was made in this way; the figures cannot be given, but one 

 dealer states that he received 60,000 pounds from this one school and estimates that it con- 

 tained over 100,000 pounds. 



Spotted trout, formerly classed with the gray trout, are now in better and growing demand 

 and are regarded as less deserving of the name weak-fish, as the flesh is firmer and keeps better. 

 To the fishermen they are worth 2 cents a pound more than the squeteague, which means about 

 double the price of the latter. Formerly there was a good demand for the sounds of trout, 

 the price ranging from 75 cents to $1.25 per pound. A unique instrument was devised by 

 means of which the sounds could be extracted through the throat and gill cleft, without other 

 injury to the fish, which were afterwards strung or boxed and sold. The essential part of 

 this instrument was the "hook", a piece of stiff wire hooked at the end and filed sharp. The 

 hook might or might not have a "gouger" of wood attached. Now only one dealer ships the 

 sounds, receiving 25 to 30 cents per pound. 



In the Cape Fear region this fish is caught mostly from September to May; 

 it weighs 2 to 10 pounds and brings twice as much per pound as the " gray trout ". 



Genus LARIMUS Cuvier & Valenciennes. 



Small American shore fishes, with elongate, compressed body; large, 

 terminal mouth, which is vertical or very oblique; short snout; projecting lower 

 jaw; very small teeth; no bony teeth on preopercle; well developed pseudo- 

 branchiae; long and slender gill-rakers. Six known species, 1 found on coast of 

 United States. {Larimus, a name whose significance has not been stated.) 



271. LARIMUS FASCIATUS Holbrook. 

 Buimead (S. C.) ; Chub (S. C); Banded Drum. 



Larimics fasciatus Holbrook, Ichthyology of South Carolina, 153, pi. 22, fig. 1, 1860; Charleston. Jordan & 

 Evennann, 1898, 1424. 



Diagnosis. — Body much compressed, back elevated, depth .33 length; head contained 

 3.5 times in total length; length of snout contained 5.5 times in head; maxillary .5 length of 

 head, extending as far as posterior third of eye; teeth small, in single series in each jaw; eye 

 .25 head; minute ciha on preopercle; gill-rakers as long as eye, 36 in number, 24 being below 



