SALT-WATER FISH AND FISHING. 291 



THE CROAKER GRONIER. 



Micropogon undulatus : CUVIER. 



My acquaintance with this fish commenced twenty-five 

 years ago, in Lake Ponchartrain. I have never seen it north 

 of that water, though Dr. Holbrook says "it is known to 

 inhabit the waters of the United States from Virginia to 

 Lake Ponchartrain, near New Orleans." 



Form elliptical, tapering towards the tail ; back arched ; 

 belly straight. Head large, rather long ; minute cirri under 

 the chin. Color, silvery gray on the back and sides, with 

 undulating or irregular lines of dark spots, or rather mark- 

 ings, reaching below the lateral line ; belly white. Fins ; 

 the first dorsal has ten spines, the second twenty-eight rays ; 

 pectorals, fourteen ; ventrals, one spine and five rays ; anal, 

 two spines and eight rays ; caudal, eighteen rays. There are 

 two or three longitudinal rows of spots, or minute blotches, 

 on the dorsal and caudal fins. 



Croakers are taken in great quantities in the bays and 

 lakes which connect with the Gulf of Mexico. In Lake 

 Ponchartrain, Lake Borgne, Mobile Bay, at Pascagoula, and 

 Pass Christian, they are found in great abundance. In 



