NOTES ON BISCAYNE BAY. 173 



fishes can not be given, but the following list, based on personal obser- 

 vations and inquiries in February, 1895, is thought to embrace most of 

 the principal economic fishes of the bay at that season. The unusual 

 cold which prevailed in Florida during the month of February had 

 driven nearly all the important fishes into the ocean, and many of them 

 had not returned in any noteworthy numbers when the examination of 

 the bay was made, 

 Bonefish {Albula vulpes). — Common. Taken by the professional line 



fishermen. 



Tarpon {Megalops atlanticus). — Large numbers enter the bay, the 



northern part of which seems to be the ground most frequented. Dur- 

 ing the cold weather which prevailed throughout Florida in February 

 many tarpon were killed in the upper bay by the sudden change in 

 temperature before they could reach the ocean. February 8 and 9 

 were very cold days on Biscayue Bay, the thermometer on the morning 

 of the 9th registering 20° F. On that day a few numb fish were 

 observed near Lemon City. On February 11 Mr. J. H. Peden picked 

 up 24 dead or dying tarpon, weighing from 30 to 160 pounds each, and 

 X:>laced them on his land for fertilizing purposes, and during tbe few days 

 following the cold snap over 200 tarpon were secured and utilized in a 

 similar way by people living in the vicinity of Lemon City. Many of 

 the fish were not dead when found, but were floating belly up in a 

 stupefied or benumbed condition, and it would appear that the imme- 

 diate cause of death was drowning or asphyxiation. On February 16 

 and 17 about 25 dead tarpon, with an average weight of 75 or 80 

 pounds, were observed by the writer in different parts of the bay. 

 These had begun to decompose. By that time the water of the bay 

 was getting warmer, and a school of several hundred very active tar- 

 pon was seen at the mouth of the Miami River. 



Striped Mullet {Mugil cephalus). — Abundant at all times. Ascends 

 the fresh-water rivers as far as the Everglades. But little utilized in 

 this region, although the most valuable Florida fish. 



Barracuda [Sphyrccna picuda). — Reported to be found in the bay at 

 all seasons, but takes the hook most freely in April and May, when it 

 is caught by trolling along the shores. Single fish or scattered bodies 

 were often seen in tbe grassy flats in the upper part of the bay. 



Spanish 3Iaclerel [Scomheromorus maculatus). — At one time this fish 

 was common in the bay, which was a favorite resort, but it is now 

 scarce, and is said to have become so since the extensive seine fishing 

 by Gloucester vessels began along the keys about five years ago. 



Kingfish [Scomheromorus eavalla). — Sometimes enters the bay in 

 schools, but is not common. About the inlets isfound in large bodies, and 

 is taken by trolling. Examples weighing from 6 to 30 pounds observed. 



Forapano {Trachinotus carolinus). — This, the best and most popular 

 of the Florida food-fishes, is probably less abundant in Biscayne Bay 

 than in Indian River and Lake Worth; in the absence of net fishing, 

 however, no accurate idea of the abundance of the fish can be gained. 



