362 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Bank, biting voraciously on clam bait. They live well in captivity, spending most of 
their time on the bottom of the aquaria, resting, tripod-like, on the ventral and anal fins. 
41. Stenotomus chrysops (Linnaeus). Scup ; Porgy. 
Six or eight specimens, from 6 to 8 inches long, were taken in Ludlam Bay at 
various times during July and August. Very abundant on Five Fathom Bank, where 
many fine ones are taken by hook and line. 
42. Archosaigus probatocephalus (Walbaum). Sheepsliead. 
One taken in seine at Avalon in July. Several caught by fishermen at Townsend 
Inlet July 30. 
43. Mullus surmuletus auratus Jordan & Gilbert. Bed mullet. 
A specimen of this much-prized fish was taken in the pound net July 26. 
Another specimen was captured by the same means August 10. Both were young 
fish, the first captured bei ng 2£ inches from snout to base of caudal fin ; the second 
was a little longer, about 2f inches. The color was red, becoming pale below and in 
the living fish having a nebulous or cloud-like arrangement, particularly in the head 
and pectoral region. Below the lateral line the sides were traversed by four narrow 
longitudinal yellow stripes, the upper two running from head to tail, the inferior two 
extending from behind the pectoral fin to the level of the middle of anal. Dorsal and 
caudal fins yellow, crossed by irregular dusky bands; the other fins plain. Eye, 3§ 
in head. Head, 3£ in length. Depth, 3| in length. Lateral line, 34. Barbels, 1£ in 
head, reaching beyond lower angle of opercle. 
These specimens are, the writer believes, the only recorded captures of young red 
mullets on our coast. That they are young of the year seems probable, but apparently 
nothing is known of the rate of growth and breeding of this fish, even in Europe, 
where they are commercially important. They are supposed to spawn at sea, but 
even this is uncertain. The red mullets are bottom fish, and in the aquaria spent most 
of their time resting upon their anal and ventral fins, like the sea bass, or moving 
slowly about exploring the bottom with their barbels. This species is recorded from 
Woods Holl, Hew York, and Pensacola. Prof. Jordan writes that seven or eight 
specimens have been taken on our coast, all of which were adults. 
44. Pogonias cronus (Linnaeus). Drumfish. 
One specimen, 44 inches long, was caught in pound net June 27. Ten or twelve 
large parasitic worms were removed from the muscles of the body and tail. The gill 
filaments were also swarming with lerneans and other parasites. A second rather 
smaller specimen was taken July 15. These fish appear very stupid, and when 
caught in the net roll over on one side and permit themselves to be picked up without 
a struggle. 
45. Bairdiella chrysura (Lac6pfede). “ White Perch.” 
One specimen caught in pound July 15. 
46. Leiostomus xanthurus Lac6ptde. Spot; Porgy. 
Young, 3 to 5 inches long, abundant in the bay and alongshore throughout July 
and August. 
47. Menticirrhus saxatilis (Bloch). Kingfish; “Hake.” 
Several, about 12 inches long, were taken in pound net during July and August. 
It was frequently caught by fishing parties in the inlets. 
