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



in our waters, which are of value to this people, and which may be 

 made more important, than they now are. 



This class of animals is divided by Naturalists into two series — de- 

 pendant upon their anatomical structure. These series are subdivid- 

 ed into orders — and these again into natural families, which include 

 numerous genera and species. 



The family Percoides — Perches — contains but (ew species which 

 are in common use among us. 



The Perca Jlavescens — yellow perch^ is found in most of the 

 ponds of the State, and is a good edible fish. 



Two species of Bass are useful — Labrax mucronatus — lohite perch 

 — is taken in Spring and Autumn in the ponds to which the sea 

 has access, and is readily sold in the market. 



Labrax lineatus — striped bass — at some seasons is brought into 

 market in considerable quantities, and sold in the fresh state ; and in 

 1836, a small number of barrels (sixty-seven,) were packed and 

 inspected. 



The Pomolis vulgaris — pond perch — is seldom seen in the mar- 

 ket, but is nevei'theless a very good fish. 



Few as are the species among us, of utility, I might point to al- 

 most every one of the more than fifty genera which compose this 

 Hiinily, as furnishing species important to the inhabitants of the coun- 

 tries in whose waters they are found. 



In the 2d family — Buccae loricatae — not a single species of the 

 numerous genera is employed ; while the Sebastes JS'^orvegiciis — 

 J\^orway haddock — and the Cotlus Groenlandicus — father lasher, — 

 or, as it is more generally called, sct(//jm — are considered, the one in 

 the North Europe, and the other in Greenland, very palatable food. 



The family Sparoides, fiu'nishes the Sargus ovis — sheep^s head — 

 every where considered an excellent eating fish, — and the Pagrus 

 argyrops — scapaiig — a very common and useful species in the 

 south-eastern markets of the State. 



Passing to the family Scomberoides, we find many genera of 

 fishes, of infinite importance in an economical and commercial point 

 of view. To the seaman, the Pelamys sarda, improperly called 

 here Bo7iito, is a very acceptable meal. Not only is the Xiphias 

 gladius — sicord-Jish, salted and eaten by the Sicilians, but is be- 



