SALT-WATER FISH AND FISHINc;. 283 



WEAKFISH. SQUETEAQUE. SALT-WATER TROUT. 



Otolithus regalis : Cuvier. 



The most striking characteristic of the geuus to which this 

 fish belongs, is its doglike teeth. There are four species : 

 Regalis, Thalassinus, Nothus, and Garolinensis, described by 

 Dr. Holbrook as common to the coast of South Carolina ; the 

 second and third species were established by that ichthyolo- 

 gist. The first two closely resemble each other in appear- 

 ance, and the second (0. thalassinus), if taken in the waters of 

 the New Jersey coast — as doubtless it is — may be easily 

 confounded with the first (0. regalis), which figures at the top 

 of this page. Though closely resembling each other, Dr. 

 Holbrook says they differ in their habits; that 0. thalassinus 

 is found only in the ocean, that it approaches the bays and 

 inlets along the coast, and that it is a larger animal. 



Otolithus nothus is described by Dr. H. as entirely white 

 and silvery, and wanting the markings or spots of other 

 species. Otolithus Garolinensis is marked with numerous spots 

 on the upper half of its body, as well as on the dorsal and 

 caudal fins ; which doubtless suggested the name of " Salt- 

 Water Trout" at the South. 



The species of our coast differs from those of the same genus 



