SALT-WATER FISHES. 393 



haunts, in preference, the mouth of our larger rivers — the 

 Caroni, the Guataro, &c. ; it comes to a very large size, weigh- 

 ing above four hundred pounds; another species (Clinus) — the 

 largest of all — is fond of rocky places, where it hides in some 

 hole ; the third species (Mesoprion) is also found in such locali- 

 ties. The crapaud (Batrachus) — a very ugly-looking fish, particu- 

 larly about the head, whence its name — is found imbedded in the 

 mud-flats, or under large stones, where it is taken at low water. 

 The red-mouths or crocros (Haemulon) are caught in weirs all 

 along the coast ; the snappers are hooked from the sandy 

 banks about the bocas, as also the sardes — all excellent fish. 

 The barracuta (Sphyraena) and conger-eel {Muraend) generally 

 choose some haunt in the middle of rocky points, and there 

 watch for their prey. The barracuta, when grown to a large 

 size, is nearly as ferocious and voracious as the shark itself ; it 

 attains to seven or eight feet in length, and is abundant all 

 along our shores. There is, on the eastern coast, a rocky point 

 called ' ' Barracuta Point," or ' ' Pointe Becunes," on account of 

 the large number of sphyraenas which are there found; they 

 are reported to be more voracious than in any other place, and it 

 is said there are but poor chances for any one falling overboard 

 in that locality ; he is soon devoured by these shark-like fishes. 

 The dorie or lune, the parrot, and paradise fishes, together with 

 a few others, are caught only by chance. The gros-yeux [Colitis 

 anableps) is a small fish, about eight inches; they may be seen 

 leaping in shoals above the surface of the water, in the shallows 

 quite close to the shore, with quick successive jerks ; they are 

 then easily shot, and picked up when dead. The rays are 

 plentiful, but seldom offered for sale; poor people, and the 

 Coolies especially, feed upon the young sharks. Besides the 

 fishes above enumerated, there are three or four others of unde- 

 termined genera, viz., the Paoua, rather common, but not gener- 

 ally eaten — except by the poorer classes ; the Aileronde, met 

 with at Mayaro chiefly ; it is about the size of a sole, but 

 resembling the dorie in flesh, and is, perhaps, our most delicate 

 fish ; the Zapatero is also of good quality ; the Grande-ecaille is 

 common but neglected. Another large fish — weighing upwards 

 I of 100 lbs. when of full size — is common in estuaries, on the 

 northern and eastern coasts ; it is called by the Spanish peons 

 Bagre-sapo, or toad-pagre, and is excellent eating. 



