298 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



THE POMPANO. CKBVALLl 



Bothrolomceus pampanus : Cuvier. 



This fish has not been described in anj previous American 

 work on Angling, and is unknown to the piscine epicure of 

 the north, unless he has had the good luck, in some southern 

 tour, to test its exquisite delicacy and flavor. For these 

 reasons I take pleasure in giving it a place. 



The Pompano is a species of the Mackerel family, and no 

 doubt a free-biting fish ; though the fact of its feeding at the 

 bottom must make it a fish of less interest to the angler than 

 its congener, the splendid Spanish Mackerel, which lives on 

 the small fry that swim near the surface. 



I have often desired, but never had the good fortune, to 

 examine a specimen just taken from the water, as those 

 brought to New Orleans, where I have seen them, had been 

 caught some hours. I have therefore given a reduced copy 

 of Dr. Holbrook's representation of this fish, without his 

 scientific description, believing that the wood-cut will convey 

 a more correct idea of the Pompano to the angler than a 

 scientific account of it. The naturalist just mentioned says : 



