Fish Cult u lists' Association. 



Now of large and important fish there is the ling and the 

 cask. Both are admirable fish. Mr. Blackford tells me that 

 some years ago he had a standing order for a fresh cusk on every 

 Friday from one of the noblest bon-vivants in New York. 



I can tell you, too, of another fish which I declare to you to 

 be better than almost any other fish in the market, and that is the 

 Parephippus Quadratus, or moon-fish. Always referring to our 

 worthy Treasurer, I have his account for it, that some three years 

 ago he divided up a barrel-full among the numerous New York 

 hotels. Mr. Blackford gave the moon-fish away. Next day 

 every hotel sent an order for moon-fish, and now they are in 

 demand. Now there is the red-grouper, coming from Florida. 

 There is some stupid spite taken against this really excellent fish 

 which is quite the equal of the bass. Some years ago it was 

 only the very poorest who would look at our flounder. It was 

 called a mud-fish. To-day, in some respect, the despised flounder 

 is getting into use, and thanks to French cooks, you eat it dis- 

 guised as fillet de sole.- There are sectional dislikes, too, which are 

 curious. Now Boston and Nantucket delight in sword-fish 

 which is a sweet and excellent fish, much superior to halibut ; 

 but in New York no one will eat it. I could cite innumerable 

 cases of this character where a fish only to be appreciated should 

 be tasted. The other day, when visiting this Aquarium with an 

 Italian lady, she noticed the sea-urchins. As she was a person 

 quite celebrated for her artistic tastes, I pointed out to her the 

 sea-urchins, indicating their beauty. Her impressions of their 

 prettiness was only secondary to her appreciation of their 

 excellence as food. "Ah," she said, "in Italy we think sea- 

 urchins delicious as food. What, is it possible that in this country 

 you do not know of this delightful fruit of the sea ? And you 

 call yourselves an intelligent people without prejudices !" 



One thing is very certain, that it would be wise on our part 



