230 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



3 inches. (Twelve individuals, measured on the 31st of August, measured 

 from 7.75 to 9 inches in length, and from 2.75 to 3.25 inches in breadth, 

 not including the dorsal and anal fins.) On the 8th of September twenty- 

 five of this age weighed 4f pounds, or an average of little over 3 ounces 

 each. In the third year of existence, or at the age of two years, they 

 have increased considerably, though not so rapidly as was once sup- 

 posed, measuring, on their re-appearance, about 10 inches, with an aver- 

 age weight of one-half pound. Six weighed in New Bedford, October 

 9, averaged but little over 5 ounces each, while the average of those on 

 the stalls in New York, October 17, was a little over 8 ounces. After 

 this they grow more quickly. One hundred and ninety-nine, presumed 

 to be three years' fish, weighed on the 6th of September, averaged 1^ 

 pounds each, and measured about 12 inches in length by 4£ inches in 

 width, some individuals being larger and some smaller. The female fish 

 of the second year not unfrequently contains mature eggs. It is in the 

 fifth year, or after the lapse of four years from birth, that the scup pre- 

 sents its finest development; specimens believed to be of this age 

 measured 14 or 15 inches by 5 to 6 inches or more, with a weight of 2J 

 to 3 pounds. They, however, still continue to grow, specimens being not 

 unfrequently met with 18 inches long, and weighing 4 pounds and even 

 more. The dimensions may belong to fish of six or more years of age ; 

 more probably, however, of five years. It is, of course, impossible to do 

 more than give average estimates of the weight and size of fish of the 

 same age, the differences probably depending on the fact whether they 

 were spawned by old or young fish, and the period when the eggs were 

 laid, this extending over a considerable length of time in each locality, 

 although the great majority of fish undoubtedly spawn at nearly the 

 same season. 



Abundant as the scup has been during the greater part of the present 

 century, there appears to be good evidence to show that prior to the 

 year 1800 there was at least one period, if not more, when it was ex- 

 tremely rare. According to Mr. Southwick, (page 11,) there is a tradi- 

 tion that they first occurred at Newport about 1793, the sheep's-head dis- 

 appearing about the same time. Mr. Lyman, in an article on the possible 

 exhaustion of the sea fisheries, written in 1871, also quotes some nega- 

 tive evidence of the absence of this fish at Compton, Ehode Island, from 

 1794 to 1803, the " sheep's-head 5 ' (more probably the tautog is meant) 

 being spoken of as common, and the scup not mentioned. 



Mr. John O. Parker, an octogenarian of Falmouth, Massachusetts, 

 states that the scup were observed there, according to his father's state- 

 ment, sometime after 1790, and had become quite abundant by 1814. On 

 the other hand, however, in 1621, again quoting from Mr. Lyman, Mas- 

 sasoit entertained his half- famished Puritan visitors with ''fishes like 

 bream, but three times so big, and better meat;" this fact, with the 

 description, being applicable to no other fish than the scup. The Euro- 

 pean sea bream is very similar to the scup, and would readily be referred 

 to the same species by the unobservant traveler. 



Again, Eoger Williams, in his " Key to the Language of the Indians," 

 speaking of the scup says, "mushcup, the bream." "Of this fish there 

 is abundance, which the natives dry in the sun and smoke, and some 

 English begin to salt. Both ways they keep all the year, and it is hoped 

 they may be as well accepted as cod at market, and better if once 

 known." We find no reference to the occurrence' of the fish from this 

 date, 1642, up to 1794. 



The time of the arrival of the scup on the coast varies with the local- 

 ity. The young probably spend the winter in our southern waters Qr 



