340 Storer on the 
lets ; sides of the tail slightly carinated ; one row of 
small conical teeth in each jaw; the parts of the 
gill-cover without denticulations or spines ; branchi- 
ostegous rays 7. 
S. vernalis. Mitchell The Spring Mackerel. 
Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. p. 42. 
Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat, des Poiss, t. viii. p. 48. 
Fauna Boreali- Americana, p. 80. 
Mitchell describes, under the specific names of 
* grex” and “vernalis,” the common mackerel of our 
coast. Cuvier, although he admits both in his great 
work, considers them as the same ; and Richardson 
remarks, “the only differences between S. grez and 
vernalis, seem to be in their size and color, and they 
are very probably different ages of the same species." 
I have examined with much care the mackerel 
which are brought to our market, and the differ- 
ences are too slight between them to constitute dis- 
tinct species. 
This species is taken on our coast, from the lat- 
ter part of May, in nets, in small numbers, until 
about the tenth of June, when it readily takes the 
hook, and is brought to market the remainder of the 
season in large quantities. Although, as fresh fish, 
mackerel are sold in the markets along our whole 
coast, for several months in the year, and are consid- 
ered by all, excellent food, (from 6 to 8000 barrels 
being sold annually in Boston market alone,) their 
great value to this people, arises from the means of 
employment afforded to an immense number, by the 
process of salting and packing. © 
