FLORIDA AND THE WEST INDIES iii 



subject, owing chiefly to its mysterious sea-going 

 habit, for when it takes to the salt water it passes 

 entirely beyond our ken and returns so altered that 

 we have the greatest difficulty in recognising any 

 but the few marked fish that have from time to 

 time been recovered. The tarpon, as has been 

 said, is not a marketable fish, and has therefore 

 been overlooked by those who make a study of 

 economic ichthyology. Apart, however, from its 

 value as an asset in the tourist resources of the 

 State of Florida, it is supremely interesting as the 

 most splendid living connection of what is perhaps 

 the most commercially important family of fishes in 

 the world. It is, therefore, to be hoped that before 

 long some of America's distinguished marine 

 biologists may turn their attention to its life 

 history and bring light to our darkness. 



