THETARPON 31 



These deductions are partially borne out by the 

 observations of Captain W. V. Heusted of Fort Myers, 

 a very intelligent and experienced fisherman, who on 

 March 29, 1920, wrote me as follows: 



"I have seen the tarpon spawning in Charlotte 

 Harbor along the Cape Haze shore from the Cape 

 up to the Miakka Kiver. They are always in pairs 

 along in July and August, in white sand holes 

 along the shoals. My brother and I have watched 

 them three different seasons and we have also 

 killed them to see the roe and have watched them 

 deposit the spawn." 



Captain Heusted, whom I saw later, impressed me 

 as a reliable observer. 



I visited the locality he refers to about the middle 

 of June, 1920. The water is somewhat brackish. The 

 bottom is covered with marine vegetation with here 

 and there sand pits or holes of various areas. The 

 water as a rule is from five to seven feet deep. I regret 

 I could not verify Captain Heusted 's observations. My 

 guide visited the locality several times in July and, 

 although he reported he saw hundreds of fish rolling 

 over this spot, he could not observe any fish in the act 

 of spawning. 



A word as to the leaping powers of this fish. The 

 tarpon is a most prodigious and consistent jumper. It 

 throws itself into the air by the aid of its caudal fin 

 assisted by a powerful sweep of its lithe and muscular 

 body. Its clean and athletic form is well adapted for 

 high jumping. Cool observers have estimated the leaps 

 at from twelve to fifteen or even eighteen feet verti- 



