218 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
84 . Calamus proridens .Jordan & Gilbert. Little-head Porgii. This and the follovrini^ “ porgies” are 
fair food-fishes, and are sold in large quantities as ])an-fish at Key AVest, and are quite coniinon 
along the sontliern keys. This is one of the prettiest iiorgies, being silvery with lieautifnl, 
iridescent tints; it is also one of the smallest, seldom exceeding 6 to 8 inches in length. It is 
called “little-head” in contradistinction to the “big-head'’ or “jolt-head” porgy. Examples 
from Key AA'est. 
85 . Calamus calamus (Cu%der & A^aleuciennes). Sancer-ei/e Poriiij. Not so eominon as the other 
porgies, .and seldom grows beyond a pound in weight or 12 inches in length. It has a large, 
round eye, hence “ sanoer-eye.” Specimens from Key AA-^est. 
86 . Calamus bajonado ( Bloch & Schneider). Jolt-head Porgij. A"ery common at Key AA^'est. The 
most important of the x>orgies, growing to a larger size, almost 2 feet occasionally, and to 6 or 8 
pounds in weight. A fair food-lish, selling largely in the market. Examples from Key AVest. 
87 . Calamus penna (Cuvier & Ahilenciennes). Sheepshead Puygi/. Not uncommon at Kej^ AA^'est. It 
ranks rvith the other porgies as a pan-fish. It grows to nearly a foot in length and to more 
than .a pound in weight. It resembles somewhat the common “sheepshead ” (Arcftosnryag 
pvohatocephalus) in its barred sides, also in the conformation of its body. Specimens from 
Key AVest. 
88. Calamus arctifrons Goode & Bean. G-rass Porgij. Not nnconunou .at Key AA^'est. It is the most 
distinctly marked and the handsomest of the porgies. It is not so common as the others, and 
grows to about the same size as the “saucer-eye” and “little-head” porgies. Examples 
obt.ained .at Key AA^est. 
89. Lagodon rhomboides (Linn.). Brim. Abundant on both coasts and common at Key AA'est. A 
graceful, iiretty fish; a fair food-fish, though not mnch utilized, owing to its small size. Aver- 
age size, 6 inches. Examples from Tampa. 
90. Archo-sargus probatocephalu.s (AA^alliaum). Sheepshead. A^ery abundant in bays and lagoons 
of both coasts, and ascending streams to fresh water, even to the siuaugs at the fountain head. 
It swarms about barnacle-covered piles, wharves, wrecks, oyster banks, mangroves, etc., on 
the mainlaml, but is not often seen near the southern keys. It is the most abundant food-fish 
on the west coast, with the exception of the mullet. It is not nearly so much esteemed as a 
food-fish in Florida as at the North, nor is it of so good a flavor as at the North, nor does it 
grow so large, about 6 pounds being its maximum weight in Florida. It is largely cured at 
the fishing ranches, with the mullet, and is shipped on ice from Tampa with mullet, redflsh, 
etc. It is a fair game-fish, biting freely at clam or crab bait, and is quite vigorous on the 
hook, but, like all bottom fish, never rises to the surface. 
91. Diplodus holbi'ooki ( Bean ). Not uncommon at Tampa, but of small size and seldom used for food. 
Average length, 6 inches. Examples from Tampa. 
92 . Kyphosus sectatrix (Linn.). Chab. Common at various locations on the west coast. Bather 
( a deep-water fish. At Mullet Key, at lower end of Tampa Bay, I caught 10 chub in 10 minutes 
with fiddler-crab bait, in water 20 feet deep, alongside of the piles of the quarantine station, 
where it was feeding on the barnacles. It is an excellent pan-fish, averaging 6 to 8 inches 
in length. 
SCIiENIDiE. 
93 . Pogonias cromis (Linn.). Drum. Common in bays of both coasts, especially about oyster reefs 
and mangrove islands, but does not frequent the southern keys. It is not much esteemed .as 
a food-fish, though it is .shipped to some extent from Tampa during the winter. It grows to 
a largo size, 40 or 50 jiounds occ.asionally. It is a vigorous, hard-pulling fish on the hook, but 
not verj" “gamy.” Its “drumming” is constantly heard near the oyster beds. Examples 
from Tampa. 
94 . Sciaena ocellata (Linn.). Bass; Bcdfish. Abundant in liays of both coasts in both salt and 
brackish "water, and often ascending streams. It is .a good fish and is shipped in large quan- 
tities, on ice, from Tampa. It grows to a large size, 50 or 60 pounds occasionally. It is a free- 
biting, vigorous game-fish, taking live or cut b.ait, and small ones rise prettj^ well to the lly. 
It gives considerable sport when hooked. It is. all things considered, the best food and game 
fish of the drum family. Fine specimens were obtained at Tampa. 
95 . Leiostoinus xanthurus Lac(5pede. Sg^ut. Common in bays of both coasts. It is a good pan-fish 
and takes .a bait readily. It aver.ages 6 to 8 inches in lengtli. Specimens were obtained at 
Tampa. 
