A BEAUTIFUL LUXURY. 



461 



THE CROCUS. Micropogon costatus. 



This is the best pan-fish or broiler, not excepting the porn- 

 pano or Spanish mackerel. It is a mullet, of course, and even 

 better for the table than the black mullet. It is a small 

 drab fish, with soft-rayed fins and square tail. The small 

 corrugated rayures on the fins and above the lateral line 

 form a lively relief. The fish runs from a quarter to a half 

 pound, and is eminently a string pan-fish. Mr. Terryj* the 

 principal fish-dealer in Charleston, South Carolina, recently 

 sent me a string of fish, including the crocus and pompano, 

 when I found the crocus superior to all the others as a 

 breakfast dish. 



It is taken in fykes of very small meshes, or by fishing for 

 it in the manner of taking smelt, as described elsewhere. 



"A merry fish on a stallion hair, 

 Tis a pleasant thing to lead 

 On May-days, when the cowslip fair 

 Is yellowing on the mead." 



This tiny fish, of from one-fourth to a half-pound, is found 

 near the banks along shore from Virginia to Florida, for- 

 aging in shoals, and keeping close to overhanging shores 

 shaded with low brambles. It bites readily to a small clam 

 bait or shrimp, and is a lively fish 

 on delicate tackle. The annexed 

 sinker is easily adjustable to any 

 depth of water, by a wire at each end extending beyond the 

 ring. 



