FAMILY SPARID^ — SaRGUS, 91 



Sides of the dorsal and anal spines with greenish metallic tints. Cheeks lustrous. Anal fin 

 dark brown or black. Pectorals light yellowish. 



Length, 14-0. Depth, 5-5. Weight, 24 lbs. 



Fin rays, D. 12.11; P. 15 ; V. 1.5; A. 3.10; C. 17 |. 



This large fish, which is also well known for its exquisite flesh, appears to have been 

 neglected by the earlier naturalists. Schoepff, who appears to have been its first describer, 

 says, " Common and well known as this fish is in America, it has hitherto been undescribed. 

 " In its distinct and regular transverse bands, it has very marked characteristics, which, by 

 " their numbers and situation, distinguish it from the Spams virginicus, L." 



The Sheepshead, so called probably more from the appearance of its mouth and teeth, than 

 from " the profile of its head, and its curved nose and forehead," breeds along the southern 

 coast, and appears on our shores in June. They enter the shallow bays on Long Island, 

 where they are caught by the seine occasionally in great numbers. They are a wary, timid 

 fish ; and to take them by the hook, requires much dexterity. If the season is mild, they are 

 found here as late as the middle of October, but more usually they disappear in September. 

 The sheepshead holds the same rank with American gastronomes, that the turbot holds in 

 Europe. I have frequently eaten of both, under equally favorable conditions, that is to say, 

 within an hour after having been taken from the water, and can assert that the sheepshead is 

 the more delicate and savory fish. The turbot, I may here state, (although I have heard the 

 contrary frequently asserted,) does not occur on the shores of America. Dr. Mitchill sup- 

 poses that the sheepshead departs from our shores to the unknown depths of the ocean ; it is 

 more probable that they return to warmer latitudes along the coast. They occasionally weigh 

 from twelve to fifteen pounds, but are then not as valuable as those of a smaller size. 



Its geographic range extends from the Mississippi to the coast of New- York. It occasion- 

 ally wanders as far as the coast of Massachusetts, but has not been seen north of Cape Cod. 



THE SAND PORGEE. 



SlBCUS ARENOSUS. 



PLATE XXII. FIG.aT. — (STATK COLLECTION.) 



Characteristics. Small. Banded as in the preceding. A short spine directed forwards in 

 front of the dorsal fin. Length 6 inches. 



Description. Body compressed, with the general form of the P. argyrops. Scales subo- 

 vate, lobate behind, and minutely serrate ; the concealed margin festooned with radiating 

 striae, distributed over the opercles and high upon the fins, forming a sheath for the dorsal 

 and an imperfect one for the anal fin. Lateral line distinct, and concurrent with the back. 

 Eyes large, near the facial line. The posterior nostrils oval, oblique, near the orbits ; the 

 anterior round. Margin of the opercle slightly angular ; preopercular margin very smooth. 



