60 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



appears to be no longer applicable, as it was originally given by Gronow to a 

 genus of cardinal-fishes until recently called Apogon. {Amiatus, from amia, an 

 ancient Greek fish name.) 



29. AMIATUS ALVA (Linn eeus). 



"Blaok-fisli" ; "Grindle"; "Brindle-flsh" ; Dog-fish; Mud-fish; Bow-fin. 



Amia calva 'Linnaeus, Systema Naturae, ed. x, 500, 1766; Charleston, South Carolina. Cope, 1870&, 492; Neuse 

 River. Jordan, 18896, 127; Neuse River. Smith, 1893a, 190,193, 198; Pasquotank River, Edenton 

 Bay, Roanoke River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 113, pi. 22, figs. 51, 51o. Smith, 1900, 134; Lake 

 Mattamuskeet. 



Diagnosis. — ^Body long but robust, the depth about .2 total length; head conical, its 

 length about .25 total length of body; mouth large, jaws nearly equal, upper jaw extending 

 beyond eye; jaws with strong conical teeth, with a band of finer teeth in lower jaw; a small 

 barbel near anterior nostril; scales hard, cycloid, 62 to 70 in lateral series and 18 to 20 in 

 transverse series; dorsal rays 42 to 53; anal rays 10 to 12. Color: dark olive above, greenish 

 reticulations on sides, whitish below; round dark spots on lower jaw; dorsal and caudal fins 

 mottled; in male a round black spot with orange border at base of tail, this spot very faint in 

 female, (calva, bald.) 



Fig. 14. Mud-fish; Bow-fin. Amiatus calva. 



The bow-fin is one of the most interesting of American fishes, being the 

 only living representative of an order and family of which various fossil mem- 

 bers have been found. It ranges from the Great Lakes to Virginia, Florida, and 

 -Texas, and is abundant throughout most of its habitat. Sluggish waters are its 

 favorite haunts. 



It occurs along the entire length of the coastal plain region of North Caro- 

 lina, and is well known to fishermen and others under the local name of "black- 

 fish", "grindle" or "grindal", and "brindle-fish". 



As early as 1709 we find the name "grindle" given to this species by 

 Lawson, who wrote: 



Grindals are a long scaled fish with small eyes; and frequent ponds, lakes, and slow- 

 flowing creeks and swamps. They are a soft sorry fish, and good for nothing; though some eat 

 them for good fish. 



The female attains a length of 2 to 3 feet, while the male is considerably 

 smaller. The largest recorded specimen weighed 12 pounds. The species is 

 noted for its voracity, all kinds of fishes falling an easy prey. This habit, 

 together with its hardiness and its comparative immunity from attack by other 



