OUK ALDERMANIC FISH. 



85 



the middle of September ; but it does not visit streams above 

 the estuary, and is found in greatest numbers along the mus- 

 sel shoals or beds, and around old wrecks in the bays-. When 

 it first makes its appearance in our waters it is thin and 

 lean, but it soon increases in plumpness and succulence, so 

 that from an average weight of four pounds early in June, 

 it increases to nine pounds by the middle of August. Its 

 maximum weight is twenty pounds, but the runs along the 

 coasts of Long Island and New Jersey, where they are confess- 

 edly in best condition and flavor, seldom range higher than 

 from ten to fifteen pounds. Its mouth is paved throughout 

 the roof and lower jaw with square teeth of flat surface, like 

 eight-inch square mosaic, but rather larger at the outer edge 

 of the jaw, where its even teeth resemble those of a sheep, 

 from which it is supposed its name is derived. But the teeth 

 are not sharp, and there is space between them for a fish-line 

 to play, so that it seldom parts a line, or even a single gut 

 snell, while mussels and clams are instantly crushed to pow- 

 der by its powerful jaws. 



SHEEPSHEAD. Sparus ovis. De Kay. 



Its scales are large, and surpass in brilliancy the highest 

 metallic polish ; they are about half an inch in diameter, hard, 

 and radiate from concentric lines, lapping so as to form a de- 

 fense on the back and sides against a blunt-pointed gaff. 



