218 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Most of the terrapin are sold in Northern cities, where many of the 

 leading hotels and clubs have standing orders for regular shipments 

 during the season. Terrapin are classed as counts, three-quarters, one- 

 half, and bulls, prices varying from $8 to $12, as to size, except for the 

 bulls, which are not desirable and bring but little money. The sizes 

 and average weights are as follows: 



FISHERIES OF EASTERN FLORIDA. 



Next to North Carolina, eastern Florida has probably the most favor- 

 able geographical situation for prosecuting the fisheries of any of the 

 South Atlantic States. The general coast line is about 450 miles in 

 length, but the numerous rivers, bays, sounds, and lagoons give the 

 State a much more extensive shore line. The most important of these 

 are the St. Marys Eiver, which forms the dividing line between Georgia 

 and Florida, Nassau Eiver and Sound, the St. Johns Eiver, Matanzas 

 Eiver, Halifax Eiver, Mosquito Lagoon or Hillsboro Eiver, Indian 

 Eiver, St. Lucie Sound, Lake Worth, and Biscayne Bay. With the 

 exception of the St. Marys and St. Johns rivers these waters are 

 lagoons or arms of the sea, from which they are separated by low, 

 sandy bars. There are openings at frequent intervals connecting the 

 ocean and lagoons, and through these the marine fishes find their 

 entrance. The Indian Eiver is a typical specimen of this kind. It is 

 about 135 miles in length, and runs parallel to the ocean, being sepa- 

 rated from it by a narrow sandy strij) of land which nowhere rises more 

 than a few feet above the water. The river's width varies from only a 

 few rods at Jupiter Narrows to 5 or G miles just below Titusville. The 

 average depth is about C or 7 feet. These lagoons or rivers are favorite 

 resorts for the marine fishes, some of which come in to spawn. The 

 waters are generally salty, but during heavy rains they sometimes 

 become fresh in all parts except near the inlets. 



The principal fishing centers are Fernandina, at the extreme north- 

 eastern end of the State; Mayport, Fulton, New Berlin, Jacksonville, 

 Palatka, and Sanford, on the St. Johns Eiver; St. Augustine, on 

 Matanzas Eiver; Ormond, Daytona, and New Smyrna, on Halifax 

 Eiver and Mosquito Lagoon; Titusville and Cocoa, on Indian Eiver; 

 Fort Pierce and Eden on St. Lucie Sound; West Palm Beach, on Lake 

 Worth, and Miami, on Biscayne Bay. 



In 1890 eastern Florida held second place among the South Atlantic 

 States in quantity and value of fishery products. This is still true 

 with regard to the quantity of products taken, but not as to value. 

 In 1890, 7,463,531 pounds of fishery products were taken, valued at 

 $219,870, while the catch in 1897 was 5,882,GG2 pounds, worth $13G,077, 



