I70 REPORT OF NEW. JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



ning of adipose fin, which latter is over posterior base of anaL 

 Anal begins about midway between origin of pectoral and base 

 of caudal. Caudal broad, rounded. Pectoral reaching about ^ 

 to ventral, which is inserted close behind base of dorsal and 

 reaches beyond origin of anal. Color deep dark olive-brown, 

 sometimes with distinct yellowish shades and again nearly black. 

 Length 15 inches. Great Egg Harbor River at May's Landing. 



Very abundant in the tide-water of the above, and they were 

 reported above the dam, some said to have been thrown in from 

 below. The largest run about 3 pounds. The adult female ac- 

 companies the numerous young of an inch or so in length, which 

 swim about in a good-sized school. They have been seen thus 

 frequently above the parent, who were more or less concealed. 

 Upon a signal, such as a sudden swish of her tail or other motion, 

 the young would all instantly sink for better concealment out of 

 view. All of the Egg Harbor examples which I have examined 

 were very dark in color, though variation in the amount of dull 

 gamboge-olive tints on the sides of some was noted. Many were 

 however nearly grayish, inclining to blackish or whitish. They 

 are shipped in rather large quantities from this place by the fish- 

 ermen, who receive about 3 cents a piece, to the markets of Phil- 

 adelphia. All are caught on the hook and kept in live-boxes till 

 shipped. At Cape May they do not appear so abundant, prob- 

 ably not more than a dozen are taken during a season, and not 

 running much over 2 pounds. 



An adult example taken at Trenton was olivaceous-brown 

 above during life, wath dusky on back and brassy or golden on 

 sides or flanks, and around under surface of head. Lower surface 

 of head brassy, and also lower surface of body above anal fin. All 

 barbels distinctly black. Iris dusky with a narrow circle of sil- 

 very-white encircling pupil. Fins all dusky. Adipose dorsal 

 same. Caudal tinted with deep wine-color. Bases of caudal and 

 anal tinted with translucent purplish or lavender. Examples 3 

 inches long do not differ materially. Some were altogether more 

 olive and without the brassy reflections seen in the adult. 



This, the commonest of our fishes, is abundant at least in all of 

 the lower tributaries of the Delaware. It is also equally numerous 



