286 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



THE BARB OR KINGFISH. 



Umbrina nebulosa : Stoker. 



There are two species of Barb or Whiting described by 

 Dr. Holbrook, with various synonyms to each ; the specific 

 name of the northern species, however, signifying cloudy, 

 adopted by Storer, in his report on the fishes of Massachu- 

 setts, will strike the angler as the most appropriate for the 

 animal figured above. 



Umbrina littoralis, described by Dr. Holbrook, is peculiar 

 to the waters of the South Carolina coast, and said to be 

 seldom taken with the hook. It is entirely white and silvery, 

 without the clouded markings of the northern species. The 

 fish he describes as Umbrina alhurnus, is identical with the 

 animal pictured above; both species are called Whiting at 

 Charleston. 



This fish ( Umhrirva nebulosa) has a body elongated and taper- 

 ing, the section nearly sub-triangular ; back gracefully arched ; 

 belly nearly staight; color gray, with purplish reflections. 

 There are six or more oblique bars over the back and sides ; 

 belly clouded white ; head small ; moiith small, and beneath ; 



