THE CROCUS, CHUB, AND LAFAYETTE-FISH. 351 



quite a delicacy at the table, possessing a rich, fat, and moist 

 flesh, and are fine eating from the pan or gridiron. 



THE CROCUS 

 Is a delicate little fish running in Southern waters, and like 

 the smelt of the North is the dainty of the South, seldom 

 weighing as much as a half-pound, and generally measuring 

 from four to six inches. They are taken with the usual perch- 

 tackle with shrimp or pieces of clam for bait, and are caught 

 from the capes of the Delaware, all along the coast, and in 

 the salt-water streams as far south as Florida. 



THE CHUB, OR TROUT, 

 As it is sometimes called, is similar in shape to the en- 

 graving of the chub on page 218, but otherwise finned like 

 the perch, and is not classified by ichthyologists. He has, 

 however, more of the characteristics of the perch family 

 than the chub. Grows quite large, and sometimes attains to 

 the weight of eight or ten pounds. Is reckoned among the 

 finest fishes of the Southern waters. Is a free biter, and will 

 jump readily at the red-and-white fly, the minnow or grass- 

 hopper ; is active when hooked, and gives good sport with 

 basse-tackle. They are taken in many of the Southern rivers, 

 ponds, and lakes. Color is dark-blue on the back, fading 

 into a clear white on the belly. Head dark, tail slightly 

 forked. Has two dorsal fins, giving it somewhat the appear- 

 ance of a perch, to which family it undoubtedly belongs. 



THE LAFAYETTE-FISH, 



Leostomus Obliqwus, 

 Called at the south "The Spot," runs the coast from New 

 Tork to Florida, but in greater abundance in the neigh- 



