180 
Journal of the Mitchell Society [December 
ii. Skeleton bony in all but a few families; skull with 
sutures and membranous bones (opercula, etc.); gill-openings 
a single slit on each side, the gills attached to bony arches; 
tail heterocercal or homocercal; body usually covered with 
numerous flat scales; air-bladder present or absent; jaws not 
distinct from the skull; species oviparous (exceptionally vivi- 
parous), the ova small and numerous. 
Teleostomi (true fishes). 
In the first class are included 9 species of shark and 11 
species of rays. In the second class (true fishes) there are 
325 species. The 12 largest families included in these are as 
follows: 
Cat-fishes 
12 
species 
in 
4 
genera, 
Suckers 
18 
a 
44 
5 
u 
Minnows 
. 36 
a 
a 
9 
ii 
Killi-fishes 
9 
ii 
44 
5 
a 
Mackerels 
8 
a 
ii 
6 
a 
Carangids 
17 
(( 
ii 
8 
a 
Sun-fishes 
17 
U 
ii 
10 
a 
Perches 
24 
a 
44 
12 
a 
Sea basses 
11 
a 
44 
7 
a 
Sparids 
7 
a 
44 
6 
u 
Drums 
14 
a 
44 
10 
a 
Flounders 
11 
a 
44 
7 
The fisheries of North Carolina are of considerable econ- 
omic importance to the State, approximating in value 
$2,000,000 per year, the catch being utilized largely for food 
purposes. Of the 347 species listed, there are about 90 that 
are of present commercial value, most of which are used for 
food. In the following table there is given a list of those 
that are used for this purpose. In this table there is given 
the common as well as the scientific name. 
r 
