SEA TROUT. 119 



on which much reliance can be placed, as the author appears, 

 from some of his statements, to be a writer of more rashness 

 than discrimination, and more ready than qualified to give his 

 opinion decidedly, and without appeal. 



These qualities are rendered sufficiently apparent by his 

 indulging in a violent tirade against Dr. Mitchil, of New York, 

 whom he accuses of vanity and presumption, in affixing his own 

 name to the Striped Bass, which he. Smith, asserts to be " a 

 common table fish, known from time immemorial all over Europe." 



It is I presume, at this day, entirely unnecessary to state 

 that Dr. Mitchil was perfectly right as to the distinct character 

 of the American fish, and its being utterly unknown, and non- 

 existent in Europe; and Smith is wrong in every possible 

 particular : the fish to which he refers it, the Sea Bass of 

 Europe {Lahrax Lupus of Cuvier, Perca Labrax of Linnaeus), 

 being altogether a diff'erent fish, though of the same family, 

 perfectly distinct both in habits and appearance. 



Of the Sea Trout, Smith says : — 



" They are found, as may be inferred from the name, in the 

 salt and brackish waters of tide rivers and inland bays, in 

 various parts of this and the adjoining States. When taken 

 from the salt-water early in spring, they are in high perfection, 

 and nothing can exceed their piscatory symmetry. The general 

 appearance of the skin is of silvery brightness, the back being 

 of a greenish and mackerel complexion ; the spots of a vermilion 

 colour, mixed with others of faint yellow, and sometimes 

 slightly tinged with purple, extend the whole length on either 

 side of the lateral line ; the fins are light in colour and firm in 

 textui'e, and, together with the tail, are rather shorter and 



