THE MAIGRE. 265 



This title is given to the fish on account of the peculiar sounds produced by the fish, 

 which are thought to bear some resemblance to the beating of a drum. The sound is 

 apparently produced both while the fish is immersed and after its removal from the water, 

 and probably on account of the sound-conducting powers of the water, the hearer finds 

 great difficulty in referring the strange noises to any particular spot. These fish do 

 not seem to thrive well in fresh water, as the drumming was invariably found to cease as 

 soon as the boat in which the observers were sitting had left the sea-coast and entered 

 a river. 



This fish has an oblong body and a rather convex muzzle, the upper jaw being 

 larger than the lower. The first dorsal fin is furnished with ten strong spines, and two 

 similar spines appear on the anal fin, one being much stronger than the other. It has 

 derived its name of Bearded Drum-fish from the large array of barbels, about twenty in 

 number, which hang from its jaws. The generic name Pogonias signifies bearded, and 

 is given to the fish in allusion to this peculiarity. The tail fin is rather abruptly cut 



MAIGRE.-Sc/aa aqulla. 



short. The general color of this fish is brownish gray, with a bold black spot on the 

 shoulder. It is a native of the North American coasts, and is known to extend as far 

 south as Florida. 



ANOTHER noisy fish is well known under the title of MAIGRE, the strange sounds 

 produced by this species having been heard from a depth of one hundred and twenty 

 feet. 



In one instance, perhaps in many others, the novel accomplishment has led to the 

 destruction of its possessors, the fishermen having been directed by the sounds to the 

 whereabouts of the utterers, and inclosed the.n in their nets. The flesh of the Maigre 

 is thought to be peculiarly excellent, the head and shoulders being held in the greatest 

 estimation. 



It is a rather large fish, seldom measuring less than a yard in length, and often 

 attaining nearly double those dimensions, and is in consequence extremely valuable to 

 the fisherman. Although at one time it might be captured with tolerable frequency on 

 the coasts of France, and now and then on the British shores, it is now very scarce, 

 having shifted its localities, and being found most plentifully on the southern shores 

 of the Mediterranean. There it seems to be hatched and to remain until it attains 



