158 



Our Food Mollusks 



have increased greatly. In New York Bay and in the 

 Chesapeake, they are abundant. Many also are found 

 in Pamlico Sound. In the Gulf of Mexico they are ab- 

 sent, but it is claimed by oystermen in Louisiana that a 

 larger drill, Purpura floridana, is sometimes very de- 

 structive. There seems to be much doubt concerning the 

 accuracy of this statement. 



Another enemy of the oyster having a wide range, and 

 often being destructive, is a member of a group of fishes 



FIG. 41. The Drumtish (Pogonias chromis). 

 figure in Dr. Jordan's " Fishes." 



Outline of a 



popularly known as croakers. This species, Pogonias 

 chromis (Figure 41), is called the drumfish, from a 

 deep, croaking noise that it makes while in the water, a 

 noise probably connected with the large air bladder. 



The drum is a food fish, though its flesh is coarse, 

 and sometimes it attains a weight of nearly one hundred 

 and fifty pounds. It is found all along the Atlantic 

 coast, and is abundant in the Gulf of Mexico. It gives 

 comparatively little trouble in New England waters, but 

 farther south, especially in the Gulf, it is often very an- 



