36 DR. D. H. STOKER'S REPORT. April, 



that the most unpardonable mistakes are sometimes committed, and 

 that the specimens prove to belong not only to distinct species, but 

 frequently different genera. 



A pretty little species of the genus Leuciscvs, and another of the 

 genus Clupea^ may both be purchased in our markets in the spring and 

 autumn, as the " Shiner.'^ The Sargus ovis, a very excellent, and 

 in many markets a higiily valued fish, sometimes weighing as much 

 as 15 pounds ; and the Peprilus cnjptosxis^ a little species, about 8 

 inches in length, and although by Mitchell, in his " Fishes of New 

 York," called " a delicate fish to eat," used in this State only as ma- 

 nure, are each called " Sheep's-head." The Squatina angelus and 

 Lophius piscatorius, are both known by our fishermen, as the '■'■Monk 

 fish.''^ The Pimelodus nebulosus, and Jlnarrhicas lupus, are each 

 designated '■'■Cat fish.'" The Pomotis vulgaris and Cephaliis brevis, 

 the one a beautiful little pond fish, a few inches in length, the other a 

 marine species, oftentimes weighing several hundred pounds, are both 

 called "(S'uji-^s/i." The most common Sucker in our market, Catos- 

 tomu^ Bostoniensis, is yearly sold in large quantities as the '■^Mullet,''' 

 while as yet, I have not been able to ascertain with certainty, that 

 the Jllvgil cephahis itself, was ever found in Massachusetts. 



Many other instances might be adduced to show the necessity of 

 the most careful attention in observing species before attempting to 

 catalogue them. The brief time allow'ed me for the performance of 

 this duty, has been utterly insufficient for its accomplishment. Anx- 

 ious to present a faithful report, I have made every effort — improv- 

 ed every opportunity, to complete it. Were I fully to rely uj)on the 

 testimony of others — to consider as scientific authority, the exag- 

 gerated accounts ever so freely offered by the well disposed, but 

 credulous ; or to infer, because certain species were supposed to 

 have been found upon the American coast, that they would probably 

 exist in the waters of this state, I might readily throw together a large 

 mass of incongruous materials, and with comparatively little labor ter- 

 minate my task. But to perform accurately and thoroughly the duty 

 expected of me — to answer the demands of those, by whose partiali- 

 ty I have been selected, and to serve whom I am proud — I would 

 rely in the investigation of species, so far as practicable to obtain 

 them, upon the evidences alone of my own senses ;--I would com- 



