118 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [12] 



Penceus braziliensis, the former being apparently the more abundant. 

 These two closely related species compose the bulk of the large supplies 

 of Shrimp or Prawns consumed in New York and the southern coast 

 cities. They frequently occur associated together in the same localities, 

 and, being so nearly alike in appearance, are not distinguished apart 

 by the fishermen and dealers. Penceus setiferus attains a length of six 

 or more inches, exclusive of the feelers, and may measure more than 

 three-fourths of an inch in depth and breadth, in the front or body part. 

 Strangely enough these useful crustaceans are known both as Shrimps 

 and Frawns to the fishermen who take them, as well as in the markets, 

 the distinction being made with reference to size only. According to 

 Prof. Lewis K. Gibbes, of Charleston, South Carolina, the larger indi- 

 viduals of both species are termed Prawns or Sprawns, and the half- 

 grown ones, Shrimps. The Prawns appear in shallow water generally 

 in March, or, in very open springs, as early as the latter part of Feb- 

 ruary, and remain in season for two or three months, after which the 

 supply, diminishes, and they retire for a time, apparently to spawn. 

 Their spawning localities are not known, and Professor Gibbes adds 

 that he has never seen an individual carrying eggs. He suggests that 

 they may ascend the rivers to spawn. In June and the succeeding 

 months of summer, the half- grown individuals or "Shrimps" are in 

 season, and "for tenderness of flesh and delicacy of flavor are preferred 

 to the Prawns." In the autumn, they disappear from the coast and 

 move into deeper water, or farther toward the south. Penceus brazili- 

 ensis has been found as far north as the Croton Eiver, at Sing Sing, 

 New York, and from that point ranges southward along the entire At- 

 lantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. It also extends to the 

 coast of Brazil, and has been doubtfully identified from the California 

 coast by Mr. Lockington. Penceus setiferus has not been recorded from 

 northward of Norfolk, Virginia, but ils southern range corresponds 

 with that of the other species, at least so far as the coast of the United 

 States is concerned. Neither of these species has been found in suffi- 

 cient abundance north of North Carolina, however, to warrant a fishery 

 for them. 



In Delaware, a few Shrimp are used as bait by the fishermen, but the 

 yearly catch is comparatively small. Shrimp are very abundant on the 

 Virginia coast, but, as in Delaware, they are taken only in small quan- 

 tities for bait, or are captured incidentally in seines while hauling for 

 fish. At Norfolk and Hampton they are occasionally eaten, and at the 

 former place they are especially esteemed as bait for the " Rock." Wher- 

 ever Shrimp are abundant on the North Carolina coast, they are fre- 

 quently taken incidentally by the fishermen in their seines, but find- 

 ing no market for them, they are generally thrown away. No regular 

 fishery has been established on this coast, excepting a small one at Wil- 

 mington, where the sounds and bays abound in Shrimp and Prawns, 

 from the last of Mav until November. These crustaceans inhabit the 



