SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 



325 



3 of which extend on dorsal fins, these bands disappearing in adult; fins dark, (eromis, an 

 ancient name for some similar fish, meaning a croaker or grunter.) 



The black drum is found on the coasts of the Middle Atlantic, South Atlan- 

 tic, and Gulf States, and is a common species, well known on account of its large 

 size, which probably exceeds that of any other drum. The largest specimen 

 known, taken in Florida, weighed 146 pounds. Examples weighing 40 to 60 

 pounds are common. 



The drum is a bottom feeder, and is aided in its feeding by the sensitive fila- 

 ments which depend from the chin. It consumes all kinds of crustaceans and 

 mollusks; and its teeth are so strong and its jaws so powerful that oysters and 

 other thick-shelled mollusks are easily crushed. Schools of drum sometimes 

 do great damage to oyster beds, and have been known to destroy in a single night 

 practically every oyster on a planted ground. 



Fig. 146. Black Drum. Pogonias eromis. Adult. 



At Beaufort the black drum is found along with the red drum, but is less 

 abundant. Writing of the species at Beaufort in 1871, Yarrow said: 



Exceedingly abundant, resident, and is taken both within and outside of the inlet. This 

 species runs in schools in early spring, but in the fall is generally found alone, and wfll take the 

 hook. Size 10 inches to 5 feet. 



The black drum is now less abundant at Beaufort than the red drum (which 

 Yarrow reported as not abundant), and is much less valuable, the flesh being 

 coarse and stringy; and, according to the fishermen, it is a very wormy fish, being 

 infested with parasites. It is never shipped, but is eaten locally by some people. 



Genus EQUES Bloch. Ribbon-fishes. 



Small fishes of striking form and coloration, with elongate body tapering 

 rapidly backward from the anterior dorsal fin; rather small inouth; included 

 lower jaw; teeth in broad bands; fringed preopercular margin without bony 

 teeth; short, slender gill-rakers; anterior dorsal fin placed far forward, very high. 



