232 
AMERICAN FISHES. 
The Horse-fish, Selene setipinnis , known in North Carolina as the 
“ Moonfish ” or “Sunfish,” and in Cuba by the name “ Jorobado,” was 
called by DeKay “ Blunt-nosed Shiner,” and since this name, sometimes 
varied to “ Pugnosed Shiner,” is in common use in the New York market 
and in Narragansett Bay, while the other names are shared by other species, 
similar and dissimilar, it seems the most suitable for general adoption. 
The fish is found everywhere throughout the West Indies, as well as in 
Northern Brazil and in the Gulf of Guinea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf 
of California, and southward along the coast to Panama, but has not been 
found in Europe. In Eastern Florida it is not very unusual, being fre¬ 
quently taken in the Lower St. John’s, and sometimes driven up as far as 
Jacksonville by easterly storms. Here and in the Indian River it is known 
as the “ Moonfish.” It is a frequent summer visitor all along the coast as 
far north as Woods Holl, Mass., where it has a peculiar name, the people 
there calling it the “Hump-backed Butterfish.” The species attains the 
length of ten or twelve inches, and is esteemed an excellent article of 
food. Considerable numbers are brought yearly to New York, but else¬ 
where it rarely appears in the markets. Young from three inches in 
length upwards are found, but we have no definite knowledge as to its 
breeding habits. 
The Silver Moon-fish, Selene argentca, is almost certain to be confused 
by fishermen with the one last described, which it resembles, and is often 
spoken of under the same names. It occurs abundantly on our coast as far 
north as Woods Holl, and is found in the West Indies, in Brazil, and in 
the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in the Pacific, from the Gulf of California 
to Panama. 
The young of the Silver Moon-fish is abundant in our waters, and has 
been frequently taken in Massachusetts Bay, and, in one or two instances, 
as far north as Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their bodies are so thin that they 
can be dried in the sun without the use of any preservatives, without loss 
of form and color. They are, consequently, of no importance for food. 
In the Chesapeake this fish is often called by the names “ Horse-head,” 
and ‘‘ Look-down. ’ ’ 
The Amber-fish, Seriola carolinensis , is quite common off the West 
Florida coast, occurring in from ten to thirty fathoms of water on or near 
the ‘ snapper banks ’ throughout the year. It is an active species, 
swimming just below the surface, and preying upon schools of small fish. 
