BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 145 



attains a length of at least three and one-fourth inches. Palwmonetes 

 exilipes is a much smaller species, adult specimens measuring only about 

 one and one-half inches long, and, on 'account of its small size, would 

 probably never become an article of food. 



The Common Prawn of the Eastern United States. Palwmo- 

 netes vulgaris, Stimpson. 



This species of prawn approaches more closely in structure the 

 English prawn than any other upon our coast; but, although it is very 

 abundant and inhabits the shore region, its small size (about one and 

 one-half inches) precludes its ever being used as food by man, at least 

 to any extent. The English prawn measures in length from three to 

 live inches. Palwmonetes vulgaris ranges from Massachusetts Bay to 

 Northern Florida, and is most common among eel-grass. It also occurs 

 in pools and ditches on the shore, even in brackish water, and on muddy 

 and sandy bottoms in shallow water. 



2. THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERY OF THE EASTERN 

 COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. 



THE NEW ENGLAND AND MIDDLE STATES. 



None of the New England States can lay claim to a regular shrimp 

 fishery, although a few shrimp are occasionally taken in various locali- 

 ties, mainly for use as bait. As already pointed out, the small species of 

 prawn {Palwmonetes vulgaris), so common everj'where along this section 

 of the coast, is too small to be put to any practical use, although it 

 serves as an important article of food for some species of fish. From 

 many inquiries' regarding the true shrimp {Crangon vulgaris), it appears 

 that this si)ecies is favorably regarded by amateur sportsmen as a bait 

 for several of the game fishes, such as the sea-bass, &c. For this pur- 

 pose it is taken in small quantities at Wareham, Mass., and along the 

 eastern shore of Buzzard's Bay. Farther east than this it is also used 

 to some extent by the same class of fishermen, and occasionally by 

 small boys fishing from the wharves. About New Bedford, Mass., 

 there is a small and irregular fishery, lasting from May to October, 

 from one quart to four gallons being sometimes taken daily, though 

 not for any length of time. The greater portion of this catch is used 

 in the vichiity as bait, but a small quantity is sent as food to Provi- 

 dence and New York, the shipments, which are always small, being 

 made in boxes, with a packing of seaweed, moss, or sawdust. In Nar- 

 ragansett Bay a few shrimp are taken nearly every season, for con- 

 sumption in, and about, Newport The largest daily catch brought to 

 our notice was about one peck. 



New York City uses a small amount of this species of shrimp every 

 year, the supplies coming mainly from Bay Ridge, Long Island, and 

 Bull. U. S. F. C, 82 10 ilfov. la, IS-SS. 



