THETARPON 11 



The osteological characteristics of the family have 

 been treated by Dr. W. G. Bidewood in the Proceedings 

 of the Zoological Society of London for 1904 (Vol. II, 

 pp. 35-81). 



The earliest scientific description of the tarpon or 

 camaripuguacus as it is there named occurs in Georgius 

 Marcgravius Historiae renim naturalium Braziliae 

 published at Ley don and Amsterdam in 1648. The book 

 is written in Latin. A copy of the interesting drawing 

 of the fish is here reproduced, and the latin text has 

 been kindly translated by Mr. Philip Becker Goetz of 

 the University of Buffalo. Diligent search has indi- 

 cated that this is the earliest description and drawing 

 of the tarpon, at least, in Americana. The translation 

 follows : 



6 ' Among common sea-fish is found the Camari- 

 puguacus, which at maturity attains the bulk and 

 size of a man and is exceedingly fat. It possesses 

 a very large toothless mouth, its lower jaw fixed 

 and its upper shorter. The eyes are large and 

 silvery; its tail broad, somewhat forked; and to 

 its dorsal fin when erect there is a long appendage 

 attached like a thick rope running straight toward 

 the tail. The entire fish is covered with scales 

 which are closely placed upon it, and so beautifully 

 diversified is the silver with the blue that it seems 

 coated as if with pure silver. That it may be the 

 more pleasing to the taste, it should be caught 

 young and cooked rather long on account of its 

 thick and solid flesh which is full of thick spines ; 



