THE GROUPERS AND THE JEW FISH. 51 
have not known of its occurrence in the bays, and believe that it spawns 
at sea. Specimens weighing fifty pounds have been caught, but that is 
fully four times the average size. It is seen daily in the Key West market 
and sells readily, but at Pensacola, Mobile and New Orleans it is hardly 
marketable. Its color varies very considerably with the different colored 
bottoms on which it lives.’’ 
The Coney of Key West, Epinephelus apua, the ‘‘Hind’’ of Bermuda, is 
an important food-fish which occurs throughout the West Indies. Speci- 
mens have been sent by Mr. Stearns, who remarks that it is common in 
South Florida among the reefs, and is often seen in the Key West market, 
where it is readily sold. 
The Bermuda Grouper, Epinéphelus striatus, one of the most important 
food-fishes of those islands, is sure to be found in the vicinity of Key 
West, and will probably prove to be one of the important fishes of our 
own southern coasts. About Key West and in the Gulf there are several 
species of the sub-genus MMycteroperca, which may be grouped together 
under the name ‘ Rock-fish,’’ the name by which all fishes of this genus 
are also known in Bermuda. They are large fishes of excellent food 
quality, similar in habits to the others of the family which have already 
been discussed. The material at present on hand is not sufficient to ad- 
mit of satisfactory identification of all the species. The ‘‘ Black Grouper’? 
of Pensacola, which has been variously named Mycteroperca brunnea, M. 
microlepis, and M. stomias, is said by Mr. Stearns to be common in com- 
pany with the Red Grouper, although not so abundant. It spawns in 
June and July, at sea and in the inlets. As a food-fish it is considered 
superior to the Red Grouper, although it is not more readily sold. It at- 
tains a weight of fifty pounds. Professor Jordan is of the opinion that 
the form recently described by Goode and Bean as MZ. stomtas, the ‘‘Gag”’ 
of Key West, is the adult of that previously characterized by them under 
the name AZ. microlepis. 
The Rock-fish of Key West, which has not yet been identified, is said 
by Mr. Stearns to be very common, and is sold almost every day in the 
market. The average weight is four or five pounds, the maximum twenty- 
five to thirty. There appear to be at Key West, as well as at the Bermu- 
das, various forms known as ‘‘ Rock-fish.’’ 
An allied species, Alycteroperca falcata, is called at Pensacola by the name 
‘‘Scamp.’’ It is common off the Florida coast, living near the bottom in 
