SciaiNiDiE. FISHES. SPABma:. ccxli 
lAFAYETTE FISH (X. obliquus {Mitch), DeKay). 
— This is usually simply called 'I’he Lafayette, and 
derived this name from its having appeared in great 
numbers in 1824, when Lafayette re-visited this 
country. Its habit is to appear in large shoals at 
long periods, and, though known to science, it was 
then new to the public. It is called Goody at Cape 
May; Chub and Eoacii in Virginia. 
SILVER PERCH [Bairdiella punctata (Linn), Gill)- 
— This is so named, trivially, in New Jersey. Its 
range is from Cape Cod to Hatteras. 
BASS ; RED BASS ; SEA BASS {Scimnops ocellatus 
{Linn), Gill). — Called, also. Spotted Bass in Caro- 
linas, and Eed-fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Eanges 
from Cape Cod southward. It is Ferca ocellata of 
Linn.; Centropome ceillet and Lutjanus triangulum 
of Lacep., and Beardless Drum (Sciasna imbebis), of 
Mitch. Leseur states that this Fish is common at 
New Orleans, and is said to measure from eight 
inches to three feet in length. It is highly esteemed 
as food. DeKay records it as Branded Corvina (C. 
ocellata). On each side of the caudal fin is a black- 
ish-brown mark, bordered with white, which Mitchill 
states resembles a branded spot ; hence the name. 
KING-FISH {Menticirrus nehulos^is {Mitch), Gill). 
— Called in New Jersey, Whiting, Hake and Barb. 
It is the Bermuda Whiting of Garden ; Perea albur- 
nus, Linn.; Alburnus americanus, Catesby ; Whiting 
of Schcepff; Johnius regalis, Schneider; Centroponus 
alburnus, Lacepede; Scisena nebulosa (King-fish), 
Mitchill ; L’O.mbrine des Etas Unis, Cuvier and 
Val.; Unibrina nebulosa of Storer. DeKay says it 
is not very abundant, appearing in our waters in July 
and August. On account of its excellence the early 
settlers named it King-fish. It is exceedingly abund- 
ant on the coast of Florida and Carolina, where it is 
known as Whiting. A few wander as far north as 
Cape Cod and Boston Bay. 'I’wo other species are 
known : M. littoralis (Holb.), Gill, called Shore 
Whiting, with a range from Cape Hatteras to Flor- 
ida, and M. undulatus (Linn.), Cuv. and Val., called 
'J'he Croaker, and in Cuba, Verrugato. 'I’he latter 
ranges from Cape Cod southward. 
BANDED DRDM {Lariinus fasciatus. Holbrook ). — ■ 
'I’his Fish is also called Grunter, Young Drum, 
Grunts, and Young Sheep’s-head. It is recorded by 
DeKay as Pogonias fasciatus. Mitchill named it 
Mugil grnnniens and, later, Labrus grunniens. De- 
Kay says it appears in our waters from the south in 
October and November, and sometimes as early as 
September. 
FAMiLY—GBEElDiE. 
One American species only, indicated as doubtful 
as to genus and species, is recorded as belonging to 
this family — Eiicinostomus argenteus, Baird and 
Girard. Habitat, from New Jersey southwards. 
Family— PIMELE P'l’EEID^. 
BREAM {Pimelepterus bosci. Lac.) — Named 
Chopa-banca in Cuba. Habitat, from Cape Cod to 
Cuba. 
VOL. I. h' 
Family — SPAEIDAi;. 
'I'his family derives its name from the typical 
genus Sparus. 'I'he Porgee and Sheep’s-head are 
notable forms. The scales are obsoletely pectinated, 
strise crossing the surface diagonally, and meeting 
the sides at acute angles. 'I’he lateral line is con- 
tinuous to the caudal fin. 'I'here are numerous spe- 
cies, well represented in the warmer countries, as well 
as in temperate regions. 
SARGO {Lagodon rhomboides (Linn), Holb) — 'I’his 
is so called in Cuba. Its range is from Cape Cod to 
Florida. It is the Sparus rhomboides of Limueus ; 
Sai.t-water Bream of SchcepfF. DeKay describes 
it as the Ehomboidal Porgee. 
SHEEP’S-HEAD {Archosargus probatocephaltis 
{Walb), Gill ). — Eanges from Cape Cod to Florida. 
'I’his is the choicest Fish, probably, known to our 
coast; its flesh being compared to the English ■'I’ur- 
bot. Cuvier names it Le Sargue, 'I’ete du Mouton. 
Mitchill records it as Sparus ovis. 'I’he Sheep’s-head, 
so called from the appearance of its mouth and 
teeth, breeds along the coast, entering the shallow 
bays on Long Island in June, where they are caught 
in great numbers in seines. It is a wary, timid Fish, 
occasionally weighing from twelve to sixteen pounds, 
and to take it by the hook requires much dexterity. 
SOUP {Stenotomas argyrops (Linn), Gill ). — So 
called in Massachusetts at Vineyard Sound, and 
ScuppAUG and Porgee at New York. It is known in 
Ehode Island as Bream, and on the eastern shore of 
Virginia as 'I'he Fair-maid. DeKay names it Big 
Porgee (Pagriis). It is Sparus of Linnaeus; Spare 
zanture of Lacepede; Big Porgee op New York 
(Labrus versicolor), Mitchill. 'I’his is a well known 
and beautiful Fish, and occurs in our waters in great 
abundance in the summer season. It is an excellent 
edible, and would be prized were it not so plentiful. 
'I’he term Porgee is supposed to be of Indian origin. 
GILT-HEAD (Sparus aculeatus {Cuv. and Val), 
Gill). — 'I’his species is stated to be doubtful as to 
both genera and species, and its habitat from Cape 
Cod to Hatteras. DeKay records it as Chrysophris 
aculeata. 
GRUNTS {Hcemulon arcuatum, Cuv. and Val .) — 
'I’his is a Southern species. 'J’he following are also 
from the same localities, along the South Atlantic 
coast: H. chrysopteron (Linn.), Cuv.; H. quadrilin- 
eatum, Cuv. and Val. (called Striped Grunts); 
Orthopristis fulvomaculatus (Mitch.), Gill. 'I’his 
latter is found in New York Harbor at times in 
considerable numbers. DeKay calls it SpECia.ED 
Eed-mouth, and Mitchill Speckled Grunts. 
GLASS-EYED SNAPPER {Lutyanas caxis {Bloch, 
Schn), Gill). — 'I’his is also called Yelting in Bermu- 
da. Its range is along the Southern coast. 
'I’his family derives its name from the term Serra- 
TIMS, the type species; the serrated operculum giving 
rise to the designation. “ 'I’he single elongated dor- 
sal fin,” says Yarrell, “distinguish these forms from 
Family— SEEEANlDiE— Gill. 
