ccxliv SPHYR^NiDa:. PISHES. Mogilids:. 
tweiity-foiii' ill nmiiber. Tlie air-bhiddei' is large and 
INDIAN EEMORA [LeptecTieneis naucrates {Linn.), 
Gill). — 'I’liis is seen on tlie coast generally. Mitcliill 
described it tlie Big Oceanic Sucker, and Kicliards as 
tlie Ship-master Echeneis. E. naucrateoides (Zuiew.), 
Gill, is said to inliabit the same regions as the latter. 
An allied I'orin, the Rhombochirus osteocliir (Guv.), 
Gill, is occasionally foaiid on our coast. Reinoropsis 
brachyptera ([aiwe). Gill, is also an accidental visitor. 
COMMON EEMORA [Echeneis remora, Linn .) — 
Called Pega in Cuba. This Fish is well known in 
Europe, and is found on our coast, usually accom- 
panying some species of Shark or large Fish, upon 
which it clings by aid of its sucking disc. 'I’he 
Greeks and Romans were well acquainted with it. 
The E. naucrates — mentioned before as Leptecheneis 
— was equally known, and was the subject of song and 
story, as well as the present. JElian writes of both. 
Oppian commemorates in verse its supposed great 
powers ; 
“ The Suckiug-fish beneath, with secret chains. 
Clung to the keel, the swiftest ship detains.” 
Pliny repeats the same wondrous story. Antony’s 
ship, at the battle of Actium, was said to be detained 
by the action of a Remora which clung to the bot- 
tom. Pennant records this species as inhabiting the 
ocean quite to North America, and being often found 
adhering to the sides of Sharks, by means of the 
structure of its head, as to be got off with difficulty. 
Smith gives an account of the use formerly made by 
the natives of Cuba with the Remora, by attaching a 
strong twine round its tail, and then throwing it 
overboard. 'I'lie Remora naturally made for the first 
Fish which the length of line permitted it to reach, 
and after fastening itself firmly to its prey by the 
sucking disc. Remora and his prey were hauled in. 
A specimen of the White-tailed Remora, described 
by DeKay as E. albicauda, was kept alive a short 
time in the New York Aquarium. Its habits were 
peculiar while confined. It was occujiied much of 
the time in forward and backward movements; its 
long dorsal and anal fins worked like the screw of a 
propeller ship. When it did swim off it presented a 
remarkably graceful shape and motion. We have 
frequently taken this species off Sharks at Na.hant 
Beach, and from the great Blue Shark of the South- 
ern waters. 'I'hough great care was e.vercised, we 
could not keep it alive in captivity. Storer de- 
scribes and figures a species with fourteen plates to 
the disc, which is much shorter than the albicauda. 
Jt is probably identical with the present, as Gill’s list 
does not include it. 
Family— S PH YR^NIDiE. 
'The family name is derived from the typical genus 
SphyiTEiia, which is distinguished by its pike-like 
form, having two distinct dorsal and abdominal ven- 
tral fins. The scales are small and cycloid in form. 
The lateral line is continuous. 'I'lie teeth are well 
developed (small and large grouped together) on the 
palatine bones as well as on the jaws. 'I’lie two dor- 
sal fins are situated far apart; the first with five 
spinous rays; tlie second with a spine anil eight to 
ten articulated rays. 'I’lie vertebrae are only about 
bifurcate. 'I’lie family is represented in tropical and 
sub-tropical seas in all quarters of the globe. Spe- 
cies wander extensively. One of the largest is the 
celebrated Barracuda of the Cuban waters. 
NORTHERN BARRACUDA [Sphyrmna horealis, De- 
Kay). — 'I’his is a small, insignificant Fish, compared 
with the great Barracuda of the Gulf of .Mexico, 
being only about eight inches in length. DeKay 
says it is a very active and voracious little Fish, 
appearing in August and September. 'I’lie West In- 
dian species grows to the length of four feet, and is 
much prized as a savory edible in Havana and in 
Key West. It is taken by spearing. The fishermen 
scull the boat gently from the direction of the sun, 
the habit of the Fish being to satisfy its curiosity 
by following any object, which, in this case, is the 
blade of the oar. The fisherman has the advantage, 
being with his back to the sun, the Fish conse- 
quently has it in his eyes; this is a favorable situa- 
tion for striking with the “grains” or spear. 'I’lie 
larger Barracudas are taken in this manner. Gill 
says it is much feared on account of its savage dis- 
position and formidable teeth. Its flesh is often 
poisonous, though at other times quite savory. 'I’his 
quality depends on a peculiar condition, and is said 
to be co-ordinated with a milky sanies which follows 
the knife on the Fish being cut. 
Family— MUGILID.K. 
'I’his family is named from its typical form, the 
Mugil, or Mullet. It has cycloid scales, moderate in 
size. 'I’lie lateral line is absent, 'i’he teeth are very 
small or entirely absent. 'I’here are two dorsal fins : 
the first having always four stout, rigid, diverging 
spines; the second with nine rays (rarely eight or 
ten), and far behind. The anal is opposite and re- 
sembles the dorsal. The vertebrie are twenty-four. 
'I’liis family embraces rather over a hundred species ; 
having a strong family likeness, and agreeing, also, 
closely in their characters. 'I’hey are mostly in the 
warmer waters, though a few reach the temperate 
regions. 'I’hough strictly belonging to the salt- water 
they more or less seek, at stated seasons, the fresh 
rivers. 'I'liey are usually in large schools. 
MULLET {Mugil alhula, Linni) — Ranges from 
Cape Cod to Florida. Rondelet figures several of 
this group ; one is Mage. 
STRIPED MULLET {Mugil lineatus, Mitch.) — 
Ranges from Cape Cod to Florida. DeKay figures 
this, and remarks that Dr. Mitcliill first discovered 
the species on our coast, and named it. It appears 
in our markets about the first of September, and is 
highly prized. 
ROCK MULLET (.1/. petrosus. Val.) — Ranges from 
Hattera.s to Florida, or, as DeKay says, from Brazil 
to New York. Plumier’s Muli.et (M. pliimieri), 
called Spotted Mullet by DeKay, has the same 
range. It is regarded as unfit for food. 
Family— A'l’HBRI NIDHil. 
'J'his family is one founded by Cuvier on the genus 
At.herina. of Linnaius. 'I’lie group is closely related 
