FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 219 
larly during the winter and are sold in the local markets (Schroeder, 192 4, p. 7). The amber 
fish is considered a fine game fish. 
Habitat . — Both coasts of the Atlantic, ranging from Massachusetts southward to Brazil on 
the American coast. 
Chesapeake localities . — (a) Previous records: None. (6) Specimens in collection: None. 
Observed at Lynnhaven Roads, Va., July 15, 1916, and June 16, 1921, and at Back River, Va. 
June 16, 1921. 
87. Genus OLIGOPLITES Gill. Leatherjackets 
Body oblong, compressed, dorsal profile anteriorly with a keel; head short, compressed; snout 
pointed; mouth large, oblique; lower jaw usually projecting slightly; premaxillaries not protractile 
except in very young; maxillary long and very narrow; teeth in bands on jaws, vomer, palatines, 
and tongue; scales small, linear, embedded in the skin and placed at different angles to each other; 
lateral line anteriorly with a low arch or broad angle, unarmed; dorsal spines 3 to 5, connected at 
base by low membranes; second dorsal and anal similar, somewhat elevated anteriorly, with deep 
notches between their posterior rays; anal preceded by two strong spines; pectoral fins short. A 
single species of the genus ranges northward on the Atlantic coast of the United States. 
113. Oligoplites saurus (Bloch and Schneider). Leatherjacket. 
Scomber saurus Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichthy., 1801, p. 321; Jamaica. 
Oligoplites saurus Jordan and Evermann, 1896-1900, p. 898, Pi. CXXXVIII, fig. 378. 
Head 4.75 to 4.9; depth 3.4 to 3.6; D. V-I, 19 to 21; A. II— I, 20 or 21. Body moderately 
elongate, strongly compressed; caudal peduncle rather slender, its depth 4.3 to 4.5 in head; head 
rather short, its upper surface without evident pores; snout pointed, its length 3.7 in head; eye 4.25 
to 4.35; interorbital 3.6 to 3.7; mouth large, oblique; lower jaw projecting very slightly; maxillary 
very narrow, reaching to or a little beyond posterior margin of pupil, 1.7 to l.S in head; teeth small, 
villiform, in bands on jaws, vomer, palatines, and tongue; gill rakers rather short, 12 on lower limb 
of first arch; branchiostegal rays not connected across isthmus by a membrane; origin of dorsal 
over tips of pectorals, the spines short, pungent; soft dorsal and anal similar, somewhat elevated 
anteriorly, the short rays posteriorly deeply notched, scarcely forming separate finlets; caudal 
broadly forked, the lobes about equal; ventral fins moderate, inserted about equidistant from tip 
of snout and origin of second anal; pectoral fins short, 1.55 to 1.6 in head. 
Color bluish above; sides bright silvery; fins all plain in spirits, mostly yellowish in life. 
Only two specimens, 230 and 260 millimeters (9 and 10 x /i inches) in length, were taken. This 
fish is the only one of the genus that ranges northward on the coast of the United States. It is 
recognized by its leathery jacket, sharply pointed snout, and short, pungent dorsal and anal spines. 
The feeding and spawning habits are unknown. The stomachs of the two specimens at hand, 
both taken in a pound net, contained fish remains and plant tissue. One specimen, taken in May, 
had the ovary well distended with eggs. In the other one, taken in September, the ovary was 
collapsed. Apparently it is only a straggler in Chesapeake Bay and so rare that it was unknown to 
the fishermen who saw the specimens. We find no record of its previous occurrence in the bay. 
<5*- 4V 
