F.NI> OV n.ASSIFICATIOX. 31 



1 iim not aware llmt the American fish is ever eaten, thon«^h 

 It is very abundant on the coasts ; in appearance, it so closely 

 resembles the Kuropean species, that on a slight inspection it 

 would be taken for it. 



Tiie Sand Launcc {AmmoHytes Lnnau), is also held in high 

 estimation ais a bait for sea and h.iiui lines, owinj^ to its silvery 

 brijihtncss. It is for tlu^ former of these litth" lish th:it the 

 lUiu' l'i>h {Temnodun Saltator), and the Striped Bass {Lahra.i 

 lAueatus), strike at the jiolished hone, pearl, or metal sfji/id, as it 

 is termed, of the tisherman, when it is made to play with a rota- 

 tory motion, glancin«? thronj^h the water, in the wake of a swift- 

 sailing boat, or in the surf upon the outer beaches. 



Having; now accomplished the dry work of enumerating and 

 classifying those of the fish of America, w hcther fresli or salt- 

 water, which I consider worthy of the sportsman's notice, I 

 shall proceed to describe them more or less briefly, according to 

 the degree of interest attacliing to their habits, migrations, 

 growth, and breeding; and thereafter to tlie best and most 

 improved niode of taking tluin ; hot, I mean, as regards art, 

 piscatorial science, and sport, not looking to the mere amount 

 of slaughter, but considering in this instance the siiavitir in 

 modo, long before the mere fori Her in re. 



And here I will venture to recjuest my reader, who may havi- 

 proceeded thus far in this volume without finding very much to 

 interest or enlighten him, not to lay by its pages in disgust ; as 

 tliia portion, necessarily partaking much of the character of a 

 catalogue, can hardly l>e expected to be vcr}' amusing, while I 

 think I ran promise that he will find something to awaken his 

 interest, whether he be a scientific naturalist or a mere sports- 



