THE SQUETEAGUES. 117 
and it is probable that the name ‘‘ Sea Trout’’ will always be used. Genio 
Scott proposed the name ‘‘ Spotted Silver-sides,’” which is not particularly 
appropriate, and which no one but himself has ever used. 
THE SPOTTED SQUETEAGUE. 
The history of American fishes contains very little respecting the habits 
of this species, although it is so important an element of food to the 
inhabitants of the Southern coast. We have, however, been favored by 
Dr. H. C. Yarrow with notes made at Fort Macon, N. C., in which many 
of the deficiencies in our information are supplied. According to his 
account, the Spotted Trout is not found in that locality during the winter, 
or only in small numbers, making its first appearance in February on its 
way from the south, and attaining its greatest abundance about the middle 
of April. 
Little is known of its rate of growth, although, according to some ob- 
servers, this increase amounts to about six inches per annum; so thata 
fish of average size, or eighteen inches, may be considered as three years 
old. There is no perceptible difference in the sexes as to rate of growth 
or general appearance, excepting in the fuller belly of the female. 
Dr. Yarrow states that they come from the south in the spring and pass 
through the inlets on the flood tide, the date of their first appearance 
varying with that of the opening of spring. They remain in the vicinity 
of the inlets and sounds on the coast of North Carolina until about May, 
when they gradually proceed northward, extending their journey as far as 
the shores of Long Island, where a few only are taken, although, perhaps, 
their number may be considerable. They reappear on the coast of North 
Carolina in September, and thence proceed south, following the same 
course as that by which they came, but leaving on the ebb instead of the 
