368 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
ones, in which this feature is intensified, to go through the meshes of the pocket. The 
destruction of immature bluefish, weakfish, and other fish by pound nets on this coast 
is insignificant. 
NOTES ON THE FISHES OF THE REGION. 
The following remarks on the abundance, movements, etc., of some of the fishes 
found on the New Jersey coast relate more particularly to the region north of Barnegat 
Inlet, and, as has been stated, are chiefly based on a study of the pound-net fishery. 
Only the common names heard in the region are given. 
1. Raia eglanteria Lac6pede. Possum; Sea Possum; Bob-tailed Skate. 
Large numbers are caught in pound nets. They are valueless, and are a source of 
annoyance to the fishermen. Other more desirable fish are usually absent or scarce 
when skates are abundant on the shores. On July 8, 1892, not less than 10,000 pounds 
were turned out of one net at Bradley Beach. The fish weigh from 1 to 5 pounds. 
Some sport fishing is afforded by these fish along parts of the coast, the hook 
being baited with crab, clam, or fish. At times the fish move close inshore, and num- 
bers are often caught from the piers. 
In the trawl-fishing carried on from parts of this coast in winter considerable quan- 
tities of skates are caught in company with cod and conger eels. The broad, fleshy 
“wings” are cut off and sold under thename “ saddles,” the price received being about 
5 cents a pound. Some of these saddles weigh 10 pounds or more. From descrip- 
tions furnished by the fishermen it appears that the skate taken in greatest numbers 
in this fishery is the barn-door skate ( Raia Icevis), which reaches a larger size than 
any other skate found on our shores. 
2. Dasyatis centrums (Mitchill). Stingray; Stingaree; Pigeon Stingray. 
Common. Examples weighing 150 pounds are taken in the pound nets, but such 
large specimens are not very common. An example, the body of which was 3 feet 
wide, was observed July 11 at Bradley Beach. The fishermen always handle this 
fish with great care, and some of them usually break off the caudal spine with an oar 
before returning the fish to the water. Stories are told of ugly wounds inflicted by 
the fish in the feet, legs, and hands of incautious fishermen. 
3. Acipenser sturio oxyrhynchus (Mitchill). Sturgeon; Moose. 
Occurs on the coast from April to October, and is taken in pound nets in small 
quantities during the seven months of the pound-net season. It is most common in 
May and June. It is shipped to market in a dressed condition, and usually brings 
from 3 to 5 cents a pound. Small fish, called “ moose,” are sold whole; the name 
appears to be a corruption of “ mammoose,” which is current in Delaware Bay, and 
is applied to young fish that are too small to dress and are usually sold whole. 
4. Clupea mediocris Mitchill. Shadine; Herring. 
Small quantities are taken in the pound nets during the run of shad. They are 
sold at 5 to 12 cents apiece. The name shadine is in common use in many places. 
5. Clupea pseudoharengus Wilson. Herring. 
6. Clupea sestivalis Mitchill. Herring. 
Limited quantities of these two fishes are caught in spring in pound nets. They 
have little value, however, hardly pay the expenses of shipment, and are usually lib- 
