394 NATURAL HISTORY OP AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



captured with hooks baited with shrimp, and is considered to be a very superior pan-fish, its flesh 

 resembling that of the scuppaug, though much sweeter and harder. 



In the Indian River region, according to Mr. S. 0. Clarke, this fish is resident all the year, and 

 is very abundant. The weight of the largest observed by him was one pound. The average 

 weight is about five ounces. They are found in the deep water, or salt water, feeding upon 

 minnows, small crabs, and shrimps. The spawn is pale blue, and of the size of mustard-seed. 

 Young fish are seen in great abundance. They are taken by hook with mullet or clam bait, and 

 also in cast-nets and seines. One hundred are often taken by a fisherman in a day. They are 

 highly prized for food, and are occasionally salted. They are sometimes sent in ice to Savannah 

 and Charleston. "Oa the Gulf coast," writes Mr. Stearns, "they are very abundant, living and 

 breeding in the bays and bayous. They spawn in winter or early spring, and the young of dif- 

 ferent sizes may be seen in May and June. The adult fish live in deep water, while the young 

 remain near the shore. Many are caught by hook and line, and with the seine." 



131. CEETAIN MINOR SFASOIDS. 



The Maegate-pish. 



This species is known only in the Gulf of Mexico. Stearns writes that it is abundant off the 

 Florida coast, and is found throughout the year in all the gulches, and commonly on the snapper 

 banks in water from ten to thirty fathoms deep. About Pensacola, where it is called the "Porgy," 

 it is seldom eaten, being regarded by the fishermen as a nuisance, for it steals their baits and 

 interferes generally with their fishing. It is, however, used to some extent as bait for red snap- 

 pers. At Key West it is brought to market in well-boats, and sells readily. The small ones are 

 there called "Porgies" and the large ones "Margate-fish" and "Market-fish." 



In West Florida Stearns states that he has often found spawn in them in April, At Cedar 

 Keys, October 28, 1879, he obtained a specimen, seven inches in length, with a gill-net. The largest 

 one he has seen measured fifteen or sixteen inches in length. 



The Pokglbs of the Gulp. 



A fish known as the "Sheepshead Porgy" is said by Stearns to be common about the Florida 

 Reefs. It is caught with hook and line, and is sold in the markets of Key West. There are other 

 species, known by the name "Porgy," which are found in this region, such as Calamus bajonado, 

 common also at Charleston, where it is called the " White-boned Porgy," C. megae^halus, G. arc- 

 tifrons, and C. macrops. 



The Beemuda Chub— Cyphosus Boson. 



This fish, which is one of the most important of the food species of Bermuda, occurring also 

 in the West Indies and east to Madeira, has but recently been found on our coast. Steams has 

 observed it in the Gulf of Mexico, where the fishermen call it the " Bream," and individuals have 

 also been taken at Wood's HoU, Massachusetts. It is a most delicious food-fish, and it is hoped 

 that the few which have been seen on our coasts are the precursors of large schools to follow. 



Calipoenian Spaeoids. 



California has two important species belonging to this family, concerning which Professor 

 Jordan has communicated the following Information: 



" The 'Bluefish,' Girella nigricans, inappropriately so called, reaches a length of about fourteen 

 inches, and a weight of three or four pounds. It ranges from Monterey southward, and is very, 

 abundant about the Santa Barbara Islands. The young of this species are common inhabitants 



