FAMILY SPARIDE — saRcus. 91 
Sides of the dorsal and anal spines with greenish metallic tints. Cheeks lustrous. Anal fin 
dark brown or black. Pectorals light yellowish. 
Length, 14°0. Depth, 5°5. Weight, 24 lbs. 
Bintrays; D512. 11; Palo Ve leon Aro 10); C17 
tolto 
This large fish, which is also well known for its exquisite flesh, appears to have been 
neglected by the earlier naturalists. Schcepff, who appears to have been its first describer, 
says, “ Common and well known as this fish is in America, it has hitherto been undescribed. 
“In its distinct and regular transverse bands, it has very marked characteristics, which, by 
“ their numbers and situation, distinguish it from the Sparus virginicus, L.” 
The Sheepshead, so called probably more from the appearance of its mouth and teeth, than 
from “the profile of its head, and its curved nose and forehead,” breeds along the southern 
coast, and appears on our shores in June. They enter the shallow bays on Long Island, 
where they are caught by the seine occasionally in great numbers. They are a wary, timid 
fish ; and to take them by the hook, requires much dexterity. If the season is mild, they are 
found here as late as the middle of October, but more usually they disappear in September. 
The sheepshead holds the same rank with American gastronomes, that the turbot holds in 
Europe. I have frequently eaten of both, under equally favorable conditions, that is to say, 
within an hour after having been taken from the water, and can assert that the sheepshead is 
the more delicate and savory fish. The turbot, I may here state, (although I have heard the 
contrary frequently asserted,) does not occur on the shores of America. Dr. Mitchill sup- 
poses that the sheepshead departs from our shores to the unknown depths of the ocean; it is 
more probable that they return to warmer latitudes along the coast. They occasionally weigh 
from twelve to fifteen pounds, but are then not as valuable as those of a smaller size. 
Its geographic range extends from the Mississippi to the coast of New-York. It occasion- 
ally wanders as far as the coast of Massachusetts, but has not been seen north of Cape Cod. 
THE SAND PORGEE. 
SaRGUS ARENOSUS, 
PLATE XXII. FIG. 67.—(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Characteristics. Small. Banded as in the preceding. A short spine directed forwards in 
front of the dorsal fin. Length 6 inches. 
Description. Body compressed, with the general form of the P. argyrops. Scales subo- 
vate, lobate behind, and minutely serrate ; the concealed margin festooned with radiating 
strie, distributed over the opercles and high upon the fins, forming a sheath for the dorsal 
and an imperfect one for the anal fin. Lateral line distinct, and concurrent with the back. 
Eyes large, near the facial line. The posterior nostrils oval, oblique, near the orbits ; the 
anterior round. Margin of the opercle slightly angular; preopercular margin very smooth. 
