THE CAVALLY AND OTHER CARANGOIDS. 
227 
from specimens sent from South Carolina by Garden to Linnaeus. The 
name of this fish is usually written and printed “ Crevalle,” but the form 
in common use among the fishermen of the South, “ Cavally, ” is nearer to 
the Spanish and Portuguese names, Cavalha and Cahalla, meaning 
“horse.” The name as used in South Carolina is a curious reduplication, 
"being a combination of the English and Spanish names for “horse.” It 
should be carefully remembered that in South Carolina the name Crevalle 
is most generally applied to quite another fish, the Pompano. 
The Cavally, as it seems most appropriate to call Caranx hippos , though 
in individual cases occurring as far north as Cape Cod, and even, in one 
instance, at Lynn, Mass., is not commonly known in the United States 
north of Florida. Storer remarks : “ This fish is so seldom seen in the 
waters of South Carolina that we are unacquainted with its habits.” I 
observed a specimen in the Jacksonville market in April, 1874. Con¬ 
cerning the Cavally of Southern Florida, which is either this or a closely 
allied species, Mr. H. S. Williams writes : 
“ In the Indian River this is one of the best of the larger varieties. Its 
season is from the 1st of May to November. It ranges in weight from 
three to twenty pounds, being larger and more numerous to the southward 
toward the Mosquito Inlet. The south end of Merritt’s Island and the 
Inlets opposite old Fort Capron seem to be a sort of headquarters for the 
Cavalli. When in pursuit of prey they are very ravenous and move with 
the rapidity of lightning. They readily take a troll either with bait or 
rag. The favorite mode of capturing them, as well as all other large fish 
that feed in shallow water or near the shore, is with a rifle. The high, 
rocky shores afford an excellent opportunity for this sport, though the 
rapid movements of the fish render them very difficult target.” S. C. 
Clarke says : “ It will take a spoon or . other troll, and would no doubt 
rise to a fly. When hooked it makes long and vigorous runs, and fights 
to the last. ’ ’ 
Mr. Stearns writes : “ The Crevalle is common on the Gulf coast. In 
W 7 est Florida it appears in May and remains until late in the fall, and is 
equally abundant in the bays and at sea. In the bays it is noticeable 
from the manner in which it preys upon fish smaller than itself, the Gulf 
menhaden and mullet being the most common victims. On arrival it 
contains spawn which it probably deposits in the salt-water bayous, for in 
the fall schools of young are seen coming out of those places on their way 
