FISHES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF WOODS HOLE. 
95 
and about Wood’s Holl, Massachusetts. It seems incredible that the young should occur so abun- 
dantly in these waters and the full-grown individuals should be absent. This is possibly because we 
do not yet know how to capture them.” 
• Specimens 2 to 6 inches long are common in this region after July, hut large fish are rare. Most 
numerous at Woods Hole from October 1 to December, although at Gay Head many occur as early as 
July and many are caught in fish traps in fall. When snow falls early, large numbers sometimes 
come ashore dead in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. Examples 18 inches long are sometimes 
taken; but those 12 inches long are uncommon and the usual length of the larger fish is only 8 inches. 
POLYNEMIDiE. The Threadfins. 
78 . Polydactylus octonemus (Girard). Eight-threaded Threadfish. 
A specimen 4 inches long was taken in a seine in Little Harbor in September, 1882. The identifi- 
cation was by Professor Baird (as Trichidion octofiliis). The fish was sent to Washington at the time, 
and appears on the fish register of the National Museum, but seems to have been lost. 
AMMODYTIDiE. The Sand Launces. 
79 . Ammodytes americanus DeKay. Sand Launce; Land; “ Sand Eel.” (* t §) 
Found throughout the year, although most abundant late in fall and early in spring. Only a few 
are observed iu winter, and ordinarily they are not especially common in summer, but some years 
(1897, for instance) they are fairly plentiful; they usually frequent sandy beaches and rips, and go in 
dense schools. In this region the launce is rather small, rarely exceeding 6 inches in length, but on 
the north side of Cape Cod the size is usually 8 inches. This fish is one of the principal foods of the 
mackerel in this section. Although it burrows in the sand with great rapidity, it is readily caught by 
the mackerel. 
80 . Ammodytes dubius Reinhardt. Sand Launce. (*) 
Apparently very rare on the south side of Cape Cod and known to have been taken there on only 
one occasion (June, 1877), but regularly found north of the cape. 
MULLIDJE. The Surmullets. 
81 . Mullus auratus Jordan & Gilbert. Goatfisli. (* t) 
Rare. Taken every year in September, mostly iu Quisset Harbor. Usually not more than 4 to 6 
are obtained annually. Prior to ten years ago the fish was rather- more numerous than now, the 
National Museum containing a good many specimens taken between 1875 and 1880. 
SCOMBRIDiE. The Mackerels. 
Of the richness of the Woods Hole fish fauna the. representation of this family is an illustration. 
Of the 15 species of Scombridce known to inhabit the waters of North and Middle America, 11 have 
been obtained at Woods Hole. 
82 . Scomber scombrus Linnaeus. Common Mackerel. ('“ f §) 
This region has felt the general scarcity of mackerel, which has now (1897) existed for more than 
ten years. Nevertheless, a good many small and medium-sized mackerel have recently been taken in 
Vineyard Sound, and some years there has been a run of large fish. There is a regular mackerel line 
fishery carried on with catboats in Vineyard Sound near Gayhead, and the fish is also taken in traps 
at Menemsha and in Buzzards Bay. The mackerel appears in the latter part of May or about June 1 
and remains for about two weeks; it then disappears for about two weeks, when it is thought to he 
spawning. About July 4 the fishermen look for its reappearance, after which it remains until the 
latter part of November. 
83 . Scomber colias Gmel in. Chub Mackerel ; “ Bull’s-eye Mackerel.” (* t) 
Some years abundant in Vineyard Sound and lower part of Buzzards Bay ; other years uncommon. 
Caught in traps, and also on lines while fishing for common mackerel. Usually appear about July 15 
and leave late in October. 
84 . Auxis thazard (Laedphde). Frigate Mackerel ; “ Bonito “Tunny.” (t) 
Very rare. First observed in 1885, when one was taken in a trap at Menemsha Bight. Since then 
only one has been recorded; this was caught in a pound net at Woods Hole, June 29,1892. These 
weighed respectively 34 and 3 pounds. 
