CHAPTER XIV. 
OF THE DRUM. 
This is a large, uncouth, ugly-looking fish, not often sough 
after as an object of sport, but sometimes, and when least 
expected, tbe subject of the angler’s toil. If, however, 
he should be lightly rigged, aud not on the alert, this ele- 
phant looking animal often has the pleasure of chewing the 
bottom tackle at his leisure, and the astonished sportsman 
unfortunately has to rig himself anew, (after twisting h» 
segar in his mouth, or rolling his quid on t’other side, it 
has either,) or chew the cud of discontent at not having sup- 
plied himself with extra tackle, or not being more strong y 
accoutred. . , 
Mitchill has tho following remarks on this fish: 
“ Black Drum — (Sciiena fusca)— Length when lull grown, 
thirty-eight or forty inches; depth, fourteen or sixteen. 
Bpreuds from the back wedgewise towards the belly, wine 
is rather flatfish anil broad, rendering it easy to turn the 
dead fish upon tho belly for examination. 
“The black drum often equals fifteen, twenty, and even 
thirty pounds. The individual now before me comes to 
thirty-four. I once weighed a drum that was as heavy as 
