The Enjambres 



ment, the sensations, could not have been purchased. It was worth 

 going a long way to accomplish. Imagine, you casters of the black- 

 bass fly, a small-mouthed black bass lengthened out to 6 feet, bulky 

 in proportion, a giant black bass, one that you would dream about 

 after a good day's fishing, almost a facsimile of the ^-pounder you 

 have taken pride in, but increased to a size that tips the scales at 347 

 pounds! Imagine this, and you have the jewfish, black sea-bass, or 

 Stereolepis gigas, of the Pacific coast a noble fish, a gamy fellow, 

 especially adapted to the man who desires animated dumb-bells, or 

 who, sedentary in his habits, requires violent exercise combined with 

 much excitement. 



"It has always been doubted that a large jewfish could be taken on 

 a rod; but during the summer of '94 I went to the jewfish grounds one 

 August day with Major Charles Viele of the United States army, and 

 watched him bring a jewfish of 1 58 pounds' weight to terms, on a 

 Tufts-Lyon yellowtail rod of 16 ounces and a No. 21 Cuttyhunk line, 

 in just 2\ hours! The struggle was most exciting, and a fine exhibi- 

 tion of skill on the part of the fisherman. We had struck a school of 

 these giants at Silver Canon, and had we been well equipped could 

 have brought in 6 or 7. As it was we towed in 3 i of 158 pounds, 

 i of 227 pounds, and a small one of 100 pounds." 



GENUS PETROMETOPON GILL 



The Enjambres 



This genus is close to Epinephelus, from which it differs in the 

 absence of processes and longitudinal ridges on upper surface of the 

 frontals; a curved or angular ridge across the posterior portion of 

 the frontals in front of the supraoccipital, connecting the parietal 

 crests. 



There are in our waters 3 species, only i being of much value as 

 food. This is the cony or red hind, Petrometopon cruentatus. 



This beautiful fish ranges from Florida and the West Indies to 

 Brazil. It is common about Cuba and Jamaica, but appears to be rare 

 about Porto Rico. At Key West, where it is called cony, it is 

 rather common about the reefs. It reaches a foot in length and is a 

 good food-fish. It takes the hook readily, and is a very active little 

 fish. 



380 



