GULF OF MEXICO: WESTERN FLORIDA. 547 



touching the Gulf, are several quite large sand islands. These are flat and bear a growth of pal- 

 metto and pine trees and coarse grass. On the shore of Tampa are more people than on any other 

 part yet mentioned. Tampa, at the head of the bay, is a thriving town, and the northeastern and 

 southwestern ends are quite thickly settled. Only two individuals were found who caught more 

 iisli than were necessary for their own food. These were Mr. Deshoug, who lives at the head of 

 Tampa Bay, and Mr. C. S. Jones, living at Catfish Point. 



MULLET-FISHING AT TAMPA BAY. Mr. Deshong has been living on the bay for thirteen years, 

 and has iishcd every season for mullet. lie uses a small seine and gill-nets. In 1874 he salted 150 

 barrels of mullet. Fish were then very plentiful, and there was a good demand for them. In 1876 

 he put up 130 barrels; that year fish were not so abundant. In 1877 he packed 50 barrels; fish 

 were scarce that year. In 1878 he also put up 50 barrels; during that year fish were a little more 

 plentiful than in the previous year. In 1879 he only packed 28 barrels; fish were very scarce and 

 the demand was limited. He put up his fish in cypress-wood barrels and half-barrels, and sold 

 them to the inland settlers, either direct or through the Tampa storekeepers, at the rate of $7 a 

 barrel. 



Mr. Deshong estimates that 100 barrels of fish are annually salted about Tampa Bay. Mr. 

 Jones's opinion is that this estimate is twice too large. In speaking of the increase or decrease in 

 the abundance of fish in Tampa Bay, Mr. Deshong says that several species, daily under his notice, 

 have been decreasing in numbers steadily for the last five or six years. The mullet comes under 

 this head. He thinks that the amount of spawn wasted with the mullet that are caught influence 

 this decrease, and that the fish are frightened off by those fishing for them. Like many other fish- 

 ermen on this coast, he is confident that many kinds of fish have lately been less abundant. Under 

 that head comes also the white perch (Roccus americanus). 



In past years it has been the practice of Mr. Deshong every year to stop up the creeks and 

 bayous with gill-nets and seines, thereby catching nearly every fish in them. He still tries the 

 same expedient, but seldom succeeds in catching more than his family can eat at one meal. This 

 sad truth is realized all over the bay. 



SHARK AND PORPOISE FISHING AT TAMPA BAY. Mr. Deshong has also been engaged in shark- 

 fishing, and from him the following facts relative to that pursuit were learned : 



The winter and spring months are the best, for then the sharks are very fat. The fishermen 

 provide themselves with an able and stout yawl-boat, a lily-iron, lances, coils of line, and large 

 kettles. They then start for some point where sharks are known to be abundant. The boat car- 

 ries three men, two to row and one to stand in the bow and strike the fish. When a shark comes 

 near the boat it is harpooned with the lily-iron, and the line is kept taut, lest it should be bitten 

 off. When able to pull the fish alongside of the boat the men kill it with a lance. The sand or 

 yellow sharks and the leopard-sharks are full of fight, and, when large, are difficult to manage. 

 The other kinds give but little trouble. 



Porpoises are often struck, and, although very powerful and tenacious of life, are easily han- 

 dled and brought within reach of the lance. Mr. Deshong has caught 25 or 30, large and small, 

 in a day, but 8 or 10 is an average day's catch. A medium-sized shark will yield 2 or 2J gallons 

 of oil from the liver and fat stomach coating; very large ones have been known to yield 10 gallons 

 from the liver alone. Their bodies are not used, except to bait up others with. Mr. Deshong says 

 that their flesh is watery, and, when allowed to dry, leaves but little bulk. Sharks kept for several 

 days in alcohol shrivel up until nothing is left but the skin and frame. Five or six weeks in a 

 season is about the limit of time during which this business is carried on. The average produce 

 of oil for that period is about 300 gallons. 



