90 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
DASYATIDiE. The Stingrays. 
21. Dasyatis centrura (Mitcliill). “ Sting Hay.” .(* t) 
Common during summer, appearing early in July. The fishermen are much afraid of them. 
22. Pteroplatea maclura (LeSueur). Butterfly Bay ; “Angel-fish.” ( " t) 
Bare. Observed mostly in August and September. 
MYLIOBATIDJE. The Eagle Rays. 
23. Myliobatis freminvillei LeSueur. Sharp-headecl Bay ; “ Sting Bay.” (* t) 
Not very common. A few are taken every year in traps. 
24. Rhinoptera bonasus (Mitcliill). Cow-nosed Bay ; “ Sting Bay.” (* t) Common. 
ACIPENSERIDA1 The Sturgeons. 
25. Acipenser sturio Linnaeus. “Sturgeon.” (* t) 
Common. Most numerous in Vineyard Sound in June and July. Has the habit of jumping out 
of the water ; at times as many as half a dozen may be seen in the sound at once. There is a 
considerable catch in traps, many 3 to 4 feet long being taken. The sturgeon was formerly thrown 
away when caught, but is now sold. 
26. Acipenser brevirostris LeSueur. Short-nosed Sturgeon, (t) 
Found in company with common sturgeon, but less numerous than latter. Taken in traps. 
SILURIDJE. The Cat-Fishes. 
27. Felichthys marinus (Mitchili). Sea Catfish; Gaff-topsail Catfish. (* f) 
Quite rare. Reported by Professor Baird in 1871. Recently but few have been seen ; one speci- 
men caught in a trap at Menemsha in 1886 is preserved in the collection. 
28. G-aleichthys felis (Linmeus). Sea Catfish, (t) 
Reported to have been common in spring in Vineyard Sound many years ago, being often taken 
with cod; now very rare, and only occasionally observed since the Fish Commission station at Woods 
Hole was established. A specimen was taken in 1887, since which time none has been reported. 
ANGUILLIDJE. The True Eels. 
29. Anguilla chrysypa Rafinesque. “Eel.” (* t §) 
Abundant at all times, but most numerous in October. On west side of Buzzards Bay traps have 
been set especially for eels, and large catches have been made. During two weeks in October, 1896, 
one trap took 350 barrels ; in one night between 30 and 35 barrels were caught. 
LEPTOCEPHALIDiE. The Conger Eels. 
30. Leptocephalus conger (Linnaeus). Conger Eel. (* f) 
Comes in July and remains until fall; very common for several years, but rather rare formerly. 
Fishermen as a rule do not distinguish from the common eel. A few are taken in traps and with lines, 
but many large ones, weighing from 8 pounds upward, are caught in lobster pots. A specimen in 
the collection weighs 10 pounds. One caught on a line at Falmouth, August 30, 1897, weighed 12 
pounds. The smallest observed are 15 to 20 inches long. 
ELOPID.®. The Tarpons. 
31. Tarpon atlanticus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Tarpon. 
Taken every year in traps at South Dartmouth, also occasionally at Quisset and at Menemsha, in 
latter part of September. All are about one size, 80 to 100 pounds. Fishermen call them “big-scale 
fish.” An effort has been made to find a market for them in New Bedford, but the people did not like 
them, owing to the toughness of the flesh. 
32. Elops saurus Linnseus. Ten-pounder ; Big-eyed Herring. (* t) 
Common in fall, none appearing before October. Taken in traps in Vineyard Sound and in 
herring gill nets at Vineyard Haven. Many have been sent to the Fish Commission by fishermen for 
identification. Average length, 18 to 20 inches. No young fish observed. 
