ON THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA. 81 



nent, with somewhat larger teeth. Opercular flap obtusely pointed, 

 its upper edge curved. Opercular spines small and blunt. Gill rakers 

 short and thick, few (about 12) in number. Scales comparatively 

 large, mostly ctenoid. Scales of the lateral line each with 4 to 6 con- 

 spicuous radiating ridges separated by furrows. Dorsal spines low and 

 strong, the third, fourth, and fifth subequal, 4 in head, the outline of 

 the fin scarcely convex ; second spine lower than tenth ; caudal fin 

 rounded, its outer rays very much shortened, little more than half 

 the length of the middle rays, which are 1^ in head. Anal rounded, 

 its longest rays 2^ in head ; second anal spine rather shorter than 

 third and a little stronger, 4f in head; pectorals reaching a little 

 beyond tips of ventrals, 1 2 /3 in head ; ventrals 2, not reaching vent. 

 Pyloric coeca excessively numerous and finely divided. Color of 

 adult nearly uniform dull olive brown, the spots and bands faint or 

 obsolete. Young specimens in life pale olive green, slightly yellowish 

 on breast and lower jaw, the body with 5 cross bars of dark olive 

 green, with irregular but rather sharply defined edges, and extending 

 on the dorsal and anal fin ; 2 under spinous dorsal, 2 between soft 

 dorsal and anal, 1 on caudal peduncle ; these bars partially or wholly 

 disappear in spirits ; a dark blotch at nape ; two shades down and 

 backward from eye ; a bar at base of caudal ; round blackish spots 

 smaller than pupil, of different sizes, scattered over the whole of head 

 and nuchal region ; a few along back ; these smallest on upper part 

 of head, largest on back and lower parts of sides of head ; breast and 

 belly plain ; dorsal fin olive, with dark clouds like the body, a few 

 spots on spines and tips of soft rays ; caudal much clouded with 

 dark, which form series of spots on the hinder parts, these spots 

 smallest and best defined posteriorly. Anal similar to caudal ; pecto- 

 rals light olive, profusely covered with large dark spots ; ventrals simi- 

 lar to pectorals, with fewer spots. Tips of pectorals and caudal slightly 

 reddish. In spirits the dark bands and blotches of body are more or 

 less faded. Length, 2 to 6 feet." 



The Jewfish is of the Grouper family. Weight to 500 pounds ; 

 average usually caught by sportsmen 1 to 10 pounds. Caught : Usual 

 small sizes, rod and reel, hand line, same as Groupers, while 

 fishing under mangroves for Snappers and Groupers. If large ones are 

 wanted, -f\ hand line, shark hook. Bait : Fish *4 to 1 pound. Fish 

 where you have ascertained them to be, in channels, under man- 

 groves, and around docks and piers, and on "patches." Edible, B, 



