SOUTHERN COAST FISHES. 393 



the pompano the first dorsal is represented by six spines, the snout 

 is truncated, the mouth rather small and toothless. The cavalli 

 has two dorsal fins, a sharper snout and a larger mouth, with con- 

 ical pointed teeth. In color, both are changeable, the prevailing 

 colors of the pompano being blue and silver, those of the cavalli 

 green and gold. Both are very brilliant fishes. In color it is 

 olive green, and silvery above and yellow beneath. It goes in 

 schools, swims near the surface, and takes readily a troll, either 

 bait or red rag or fly. It is an active sporting fish, but of indif- 

 ferentquality in winter, though excellent in summer. It is found far 

 up rivers (where the water remains brackish). It grows in Florida 

 to the weight of ten or twelve pounds. Spawns in May, in the 

 ocean, and is taken in South Carolina waters until October ; in 

 Florida all through the winter. It feeds on mollusks, and crus- 

 taceous animals. 



Fampano. — Trachynotus carolinus. 



The pampano has a truncated snout, rather a small mouth 

 without teeth, jaws strong and massive, eye of moderate size, 

 body much compressed and deep, about one-third the length : 

 first dorsal fin represented by six spines ; second dorsal soft, and 

 extending to the tail ; anal fin extending to the tail also. The 

 pampano is a bottom fish, and is found singly. Rarely takes the 

 hook, but when he does fights vigorously, running in circles, 

 darting in all directions, and making a great fuss generally. His 

 colors when first out of the water, are as brilliant as those of a 

 fresh salmon, — like a bar of frosted silver. After death they 

 change to dark blue above and lemon beneath. Most delicious 

 for the table. Spawns in March. Its range extends to Massa- 

 chusetts. [See note at the end of chapter. J 



BERYCID^. 

 Squirrel Fish. — Diplecirum fasciculare. Holbrook. 



Body fawn color or bronze, marked with seven or eight lines 

 of ultramarine blue ; fins blue and yellow. Length fourteen 

 inches. Is occasionally taken on the hook, on blackfish grounds. 

 The Carolinas are its extreme northern limit. 

 17* 



