568 Surmullets, Croakers, etc. 
enemy and associate, the bluefish. It is one of the best of all 
our food-fishes. Farther south the spotted weakfish (Cyno- 
scion nebulosus), very incorrectly known as sea-trout, takes its 
place, and about New Orleans is especially and justly prized. 
The California “bluefish,” Cynoscion parvipinnis, is very 
similar to these Atlantic species, and there are many other 
species of Cynoscion on both coasts of tropical America, form- 
ing a large part of the best fish-supply of the various markets 
of the mainland. On the rocky islands, as Cuba, and about 
coral reefs, Scienide are practically unknown. In the Gulf 
of California, the totuava, Cynoscion macdonaldi, reaches a 
weight of 172 pounds, and the stateliest of all, the great 
“white sea-bass”’ of California, Cynoscion nobilis, reaches 100 
pounds. In these large species the flesh is much more firm 
than in the weakfish and thus bears shipment better. Cynoscion 
has canines in the upper jaw only and its species are all Ameri- 
can. In the East Indies the genus Ofolithes has strong canines 
in both jaws. Its numerous species are very similar in form, 
habits, and value to those of Cynoscion. The queenfish, Seri- 
phus politus, of the California coast, is much like the others of 
this series, but smaller and with no canines at all. It is a very 
choice fish, as are also the species of Macrodon (Ancylodon) 
known as pescadillo del red, voracious fishes of both shores 
of South America. 
Plagioscion squamosissimus and numerous species of Pla- 
gioscion and other genera live in the rivers of South America. 
A single species, the river-drum, gaspergou, river sheepshead, or 
thunder-pumper (A plodinotus grunniens), is found in streams 
in North America. This is a large fish reaching a length of 
nearly three feet. It is very widely distributed, from the Great 
Lakes to Rio Usumacinta in Guatemala, whence it has been 
lately received by Dr. Evermann. This species abounds in 
lakes and sluggish rivers. The flesh 1s coarse, and in the Great 
Lakes it is rarely eaten, having a rank odor. In Louisiana and 
Texas it is, however, regarded as a good food-fish. In this 
species the lower pharyngeals are very large and firmly united, 
while, as in all other Scienide, except the genus Pogonzas, these 
bones are separated. In all members of the family the ear- 
bones or otoliths are largely developed, often finely sculptured. 
ij 
