406 GAME FISH OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Skipjack ; skipper ; saury ; bone-fish ; \zAy-^'&\L.—Scomheresox scutellaius. 

 Le Sueur. 



This fish belongs to the genus scomberesocidas, and as the 

 name implies, this fish combines the characteristics of the mack- 

 erel and the pike. He is a beautiful fish, growing to several 

 pounds in weight, is shaped like a pike, with fins similarly located, 

 large mouth well armed with teeth ; dark blue on the back, silvery 

 on the sides, and white on the belly ; fins white. He is as vora- 

 cious as either the pike or mackerel, and takes bait, spoon, or flies 

 freely. He is often hooked when not wanted while angling for 

 other better fish. Verj' common in southern waters, especially in 

 Florida. Tastes well enough, but is bony. Plays havoc with light 

 tackle, and affords good sport. 



MUGILID^. 



M ULLET. —Mugil lineatus. Mitch. 



There are several species of the mullet. They are found every- 

 where in the bays and sounds in immense shoals, and are taken in 

 seines and cast nets in size from half a pound to six pounds. It 

 is a very valuable fish to the inhabitants, since it takes salt better 

 than any other southern species, being equal to the mackerel in 

 that respect. It also furnishes a valuable food in its spawn, which 

 is salted and smoked. It is also used extensively as bait for most 

 other fishes. The mullet appears to subsist upon the minute 

 animals found in the mud, with which substance its stomach and 

 intestines are usually found to be filled. Eaten fresh, the mullet 

 affords a rich and savory food. Spawns in January and February 

 in strong currents on the surface. 



ELOPIDyE. 



Jackmariddle ; pounder ; big-eyed herring. — Elops saurus. Linn. 



Color pale green on upper part, and white with roseate tints 

 at the sides ; fins yellowish. Length thirty inches. Taken with 

 hook and bait from June to October. Not esteemed as food. 



Jewfish ; tarpum. — Megalops thrissoidcs. Giinther. 



An immense fish, with bony white silvery scales two inches in i 

 diameter, covering the whole body, weighing often five hundred 



