fh Perey Mihalis pha i 4 a bvehcsd ener i Miceli ites bath eit | rude Pn ee Cpe ati fips ete nyt) hint i a ita t yen Mb i arf yy ate Fabresaigey pn ae f a tenets ae ie od ivf binait ati ce r Us Al tsi th ny erin! Pad revere a ihe a a i! ba A NN ne BbveeyL YY nw a a i dibs ae Bite f Z ee CH a a Aes ie He paca ae : titan Sete toate: esate Oy hgh reas on we in ne WS pide a A i ba piu) ened ig, et Punt, f bipl yl bia oo rs “f he ade riety dF eels Pee a tR ieee pete siege ierirh edt Po thou ee. A ss Brescia f; A; al = eet natn an MPP LIIT AL Mp ; Spleens een a eepet tlre techn Anime Mr ee or or Liitrpt ; Rea if pire Roper dn Matec sch San aes 7 area arias: a Tt done ty at et so neers 2 eee ? : a Peete a 2 ie zien oe : ya nae ; 3 zt t of Nistiptearesbaee aie ecw le faerie Epp erknpainn cheng ha mel bron. sta Fut ro thea Psat iden : ? me Linch tom ager rer eelered arena err Dery hee tep i I Nuaab aor gpa pm ern noe ph dar Phat eae de patesbe poner oe RST TH aries Oot tea fc yeast eat pet ern Desir pacun inh bein EA spy toate eee apes wees rz: Weber Perl ow topentncnes Heese oer ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY NEW York STATE COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE AND HoME ECONOMICS CoRNELL UNIVERSITY DATE DUE | | lin NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, STATE GEOLOGIST VOLUME II THE FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA hy e- By HUGH M. SMITH Deputy U. S Commissioner of Fisheries RALEIGH E. M. Uzzeiu & Co., Stare PRINTERS AND BINDERS 1907 \ GEOLOGICAL BOARD. Governor R. B. GLENN, ex officio Chairman. ..... 0.6.60 000 eee . Raleigh. HENRY Ee HRMS) sp4saa dase cd bh Agate ae dd ASAE aoe aaRREOaelAd nausea Bie Winston-Salem. RANE: FR. UB WIT aot ete doves ate sie hase ted oem adam atater es Beene ahora sebae AReS Asheville. TUG MACK Mise: o0.58-5 Sead da oy Ai aN aa is Ra PR Wilmington. ERANK: WOOD i.j5056 Sussyee Wie a's s Sas: ap ates eae Se ak Bae ga yaa Nees ea wl eae Edenton. JosepH Hype Prat, State Geologist 2.20.00... cece ce eee Chapel Hill. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. : Cuapet Hit, N. C., January 1, 1907. To His Excellency, GOVERNOR R. B. GLENN. Sir:—I have the honor to submit for publication, as Volume II of the reports of the North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, the report of Dr. Hugh M. Smith, Deputy United States Commissioner of Fisheries, on The Fishes of North Carolina. This publication is the second of the series of volumes which represent more elaborate reports on various subjects and embody, as far as practicable, the results of maturer investigations. Yours obediently, JosrpH Hypr Pratt, State Geologist. PREFACE The following report on The Fishes of North Carolina has been prepared to meet the numerous inquiries that are constantly being received by the Geo- logical and Economic Survey concerning the fishes found in the different waters of the State. It has been the desire of the State Geologist to awaken an in- creased interest-in the local fishes, and to give to the people of North Carolina and to others a more accurate knowledge of the abundance, distribution, habits, migrations, spawning, food value, etc., of the fishes, in the belief that such knowledge will lead to a fuller realization of the economic importance of the fishery resources of the State. It is desirable also that there be created a deeper interest in the welfare of both fishes and fishermen, and a better understanding of the condition and needs of the fishing industry, with a view to placing this important branch on a permanent basis and making it yield an increasing revenue to both State and people. In this report there is an account of every fish that has been ascertained to inhabit the fresh, brackish, or salt waters of North Carolina. All local names by which the fishes are known are recorded, and diagnostic descriptions are given that are often based on local specimens. Colored plates or text cuts representing a very large number of the species have been provided. While the chief aim in preparing the report has been to make it of practical usefulness to the fishing interests, the scientific aspects of the subject have not been neg- lected, and the work will be found to have a value to ichthyologists and to zodlogists in general. The report is particularly useful in that it affords a means of identifying any fish that may be taken in State waters. The artificial keys are based on external characters that commercial fishermen and anglers may readily appre- ciate; and the copious index of common names gives a further clue to all the species whose size makes them objects of capture. In the preparation of this work the assistance and knowledge of many local people have been availed of, and to these Dr. Smith makes acknowledg- ment in his introduction and text. It is hoped that this volume will be the means of creating such an interest in the fisheries that suitable laws for their protection may be enacted as needed, and that the State officers charged with the administration of the fisheries may have the sympathy and coéperation of all citizens. JoserpH Hypr Pratt, State Geologist. CONTENTS. The three physiographic sections of the state........ 0.0.0... 0c cece eee nee Phe cGastal re gion ccs scve vsiaua dence Seah Huo aie ancs cea enn army nda qaneio dt acenxoharonee de ap The rversofithe Atlantic coast s.c2ceccacaseasGreeretaee soe yeeeseygadiorperkias The rivers of the Mississippi drainage basin...........0.0.00 0000000 cece ee eee ee THE FisH Fauna oF NORTH CAROLINA.....0.000 00 cc cc eee ene nes Sources of information. sudesvosite skedese cau desta es Gee PEL cou Ned ead General character of the fauna... . 2.0.2.0... ce cen nent t etna Fishes first described from North Carolina waters........0.00.000 0000 c cece cece Fishes found only in North Carolina. .......0.0000 0.00000 Fishes not previously recorded from North Carolina waters................2..005. The local names of the fishes... 0.0... 0.00.00 cece eee SysteMAtTic CATALOGUE OF NorTH CAROLINA FISHES...........0.000.0000 000 epee cues TUR PLAN ALO RY MOLCM ascuss Smesnascncens-cias ire Gals ees ats hin tric ssn ae et gue mle eda lente neat ga The classes of fishes and fish-like vertebrates ...0..0 000200. Class Leptocardii. Theleptocardians.........0.... 000.000 00. c cece eee Qrder Amphioxi. ‘Thecirristomesi. oc. .ccasecesseoeevnehsae edd EGG enon ten Class Marsipobranchii. The pouch-gilled animals.............................. Order Hyperoartii. The hyperoartians............00..00 00.0000 cee eee ee Class'Pisces. “The fishes) ees: sec ges settee s oie wis vibaneinda a denabnaaudidin paawkacad doe Sub-class Selachii. The sharks, skates, andrays..............0000000. 00000 Order Diplospondyli. The notidanoid sharks....................0.0.0000.. Order Asterospondyli. Thetypicalsharks........................0000000.. Order Cyclospondyli. The cyclospondylous sharks....................0..04 Order Batoidea. Theskatesandrays.............. 000000000000 ve eeeeesee Sub-class Teleostomi. The true fishes.............0.0.0. 0000000 cece eee eee Order Selachostomi. The shark-mouthed ganoids.......................... Order Chondrostei. The cartilaginous ganoids................0..0......04. Order Rhomboganoidea. The rhomboid ganoids.........................., Order Cycloganoidea. The cylindrical ganoids...............0.0000000000.. Order Nematognathi. The whiskered fishes................0..0000....00.. Order Plectospondyli. The carp-like fishes............020..0...00.000020000. Order Apodes, The éels..ccsccaiicisec sea who sad merken dan ree eavnw eg aowendamens Order Isospondyli. The clupeoid and salmonoid fishes ....................... Order Iniomi. The lantern-fishes.............0...0.000 00000 cece eevee eee Order Haplomi. The pikes and pike-like fishes................0.00000..0.0.. Order Synentognathi. The gars, half-beaks, and flying-fishes................ Order Hemibranchii. The half-gills..........000000000..0. 0000 c eee Order Lophobranchii. The tuft-gilled fishes............00.0....00000.0.0.. Order Acanthopterygii. The spiny-rayed fishes.......................00.., Sub-order Heterosomata. The flat-fishes...............0..000000.00.0.... Order Pediculati. The pediculate fishes.............000.0............ 0000. GLossary OF TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING FISHES..................0.0.0000000005 vi CONTENTS. PAGE Tue FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA.......0 2000 c ect eee teens 407 General importance and extent..........0.. 0.00. neces 407 The priicipal fishes i5.4.0c0< nee catia adie ae GROTON eRe COE aAd Hae eC 407 Other economic water animals. ........00 00.0 c ccc cece eect ee ene aee 411 Putureof the industry see's eden reads uae sey ga nte tbe e ch dake Sage Swans se Os 412 CULTIVATION AND ACCLIMATIZATION OF FisHes IN NORTH CAROLINA........0000 00 eee 413 Importance of such work........0.00. 000. ccc cece eee ene t een e eens 413 Early fish-culttural work...o.i05 06 0 cc Step a ae Lee ane dd RE ND aoaee eee ee eee 414 Introduction of non-indigenous fishes..............0.c eee e eee e eee eet ee eeee 415 Recent fish-cultural work. 2.0.0.0... 0c cee ete e eee eens 417 BIBMIOGRAPAYayig ends ¢ esis é-hu cate s'om Seas Sees eo k oe Nena eee ale ea here eee 419 INDEX oF CoMMON NAMES OF FISHES....... 0.000000. ccc eee cece eet tenet eee ene 425 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES.........0 000. c cece cece teen e eet ent eneee 433 GENDRA LIND EX sais ned, sis dna sunitiacsn onset dnck abe G-S bivBAe Hee WWM EDR AVAGIE Sugeuacd Mare Seater 8 451 Bee PS OFA Ss Oe ON Bee =o N LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PLATES. FACING PAGE. Biological laboratory of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries in Beaufort Harbor, erected in 1902. Boating a shad seine, Albemarle Sound.............../ data tangata Renan ty al 1 Sturgeon (Acipenser oryrhynchus).....0. 0066 eee eet ees 8 Branch herring; goggle-eye (Pomolobus pseudoharengus). Male..............--. 122 Glut herring; May herring; blue-back (Pomolobus estivalis)................5+4. 124 SHA (ALOsa8APIAiSStINE is 5-0 wisn ciacerdsveusne a osun genie suaee warded ener aimee dadsiede UES 126 Landing a shad seine, Albemarle Sound. Splitting and salting herring at a seine fishery on Albemarle Sound............... 128 Flier (Centrarchus macropterus)....6 00 cece cece ene 232 Banded sun-fish (Mesogonistius chetodon)........0.0 00 eee eee 238 Blue-gill; blue joe (Lepomis incisor). Female...............-.-.00 00sec eee 242 Large-mouth black bass; Welshman (Micropterus salmoides) ........-..++.+++0+5 246 Yellow perch; red-fin; Englishman (Perca flavescens)...........6.0 0000 e eee 250 Striped bass; rock-fish (Roccus lineatus).......00 0666 eee 272 Pig-fish or hog-fish (Orthopristis chrysopterus)......0 00000 290 Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)....... 0.000000 eee 300 Squeteague; weak-fish (Cynoscion regalis)......... 6 eee 310 Spotted squeteague; spotted weak-fish (Cynoscion nebulosus)..........05 0000000 312 Spot (Letostomus canthurus).. 0... ete eects 316 Croaker (Micropogon undulatus)......00000 000 c ct eee 318 Red drum; red-fish (Scieenops ocellatus)........00060 000 cece eee 320 A camp of mullet fishermen on Shackleford Banks. Drag-seine fishing on a North Carolina shoal...........00..0.0..000 00 eee e eee 408 Shad hatchery of the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries on Pembroke Creek near Edenton. Interior of shad hatchery, showing automatic hatching jars..................... 414 TEXT FIGURES. PAGE. Cut of yellow perch showing parts usually referred to in descriptions............ we, 124 Lancelet. Branchiostomalanceolatum............. 00 cece tees 27 Sealamprey. Petromyzon marinus. ......0..0.0.0 0000 cece ee 28 Cow shark. Hexanchus griseus..........00 0 ccc eee 30 Bonnet-headed shark. Sphyrna tiburo.....0.000 0.0.0 c eee c cece cece e veces 35 Hammer-headed shark. Sphyrnazygena. Dorsal and dorso-lateral views. ...... 36 Sawefish,, Pristts Peceinawus’ a seicssdscecccsvsowe eacdaivie sear wgi'v wnwdind ee ahaa Moanin Paes 39 Guitar-fish. Rhinobatuslentiginosus. Lateral and dorsal views................. 40 Brierray. Rajaeglanteria. Male............... 0000 eee eee 42 Torpedo. Tetronarce occidentalis........0.0 0c eee 43 Sea-devil. Mania binostrt§ oss wccniwws carceioagrengmecigs a aeegagen des wee peas 48 Sturgeon. Actpenser oryrhynchus..... 00000 eee 56 Short-nosed sturgeon. Acipenser brevirostrum.........000000 00 cece ees 58 Mud-fish; bow-fin. Amtatuscalva.... 0.000000 00 eee 60 vill 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22, 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31, 32. 33. 34, 35. 36. 37. 38. 39, 40. 41. 42, 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54, 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Sea.cat-fish, Mélichthys felis’ ..43 002 os aw ysce eee gunas ie to ew haa s aha Baroy Sea cat-fish. Galeichthys milbertt......0.0.0.0.00000 000 cece eee Spotted cat-fish. Ictalurus punctatus........0..00.000 00006 c bccn Brown cat-fish. Ameturus platycephalus... 0.0.00. ee Yellow cat-fish. Leptops olivaris......0.0..00 60000 Mad-tom. Schilbeodes furtosus,...... 0.006 ce cect ee eee e nets White sucker. Catostomus commersontt.......0 0.0 eee Chub sucker. Hrimyzon sucetta ......0.. 06 tees Spotted sucker. Muinytrema melanops..........00 000 cbc Sucker; jump-rocks. Moxostomarupiscartes..........0 00 0c c eee Horned dace. Semotilus atromaculatus......0..0000 00 ee Roach. Notemigonus crysoleucas....... 000 tee Spawn-eater; shiner. Notropis hudsonius saludanus...........6.6.00 0000 eee Milky-tailed minnow. WNotropisgalacturus.........0 0c cece eee eee Minnow. Notropistelescopus. cic caviuccrceciasbadcesseeceganateee ne bawenen Minnow. Phenacobius uranops..........00 00 ccc een eee ees Scale carp; Asiaticcarp. Cyprinus carptio......0..0.0 6066 Leather carp. Cyprinus carpto........... 000 ce teen eens Commoneel. Anguilla chrisypa...... 0.6.0 ccc eet eens Leptocephalus of the commoneel.............0.. 000 eens “ Congereel. Leptocephalus conger......... 00060 ee Tarpon. Larponatlanticusccioges a5 aelsinws gente Geos gy aed aa ale sk ul eR ES Big-eyed herring. Hlopssaurus...... 0.00... ccc ccc eee ees Moon-eye. Hiodonselenops.......... 0.00000 c eee ees saa nae pa weng tees Gizzard shad; mud shad. Dorosoma cepedianum...........0.0.0 00 eee cee Hickory shad. Pomolobus mediocris.......0.. 000600 teens Branch herring; goggle-eye. Pomolobus pseudoharengus...........0.0000 0000 Glut herring. Pomolobus estivalis.........0000 00 0c cette ee Shad... Al0Sa Sapidtssun as sisi cacane herae gone Gee dehy WER NaS FE RME RE OSes Menhaden. Brevoortiatyrannus...........000 000 ccc eee Gillof menhadenses ase dae eee net ew deed ee Dee eee eae de SER e hE Ree Brook trout. Salvelinus fontinalis.....00.0 000 cee Lazard-fish, Synodusfe@tens:... wisi sex wicca spake eShendGe tesa Bees ealaeees Maid minnows. Umbrapiygie@a sc 32 yh ies, ts peta esac sie a BO EES Bad we Chain pickerel; pike. E'sorreticulatus........0.000 0000000 May-fish. Fundulus majalis. Male.........0 0.00000 c cect eee ees May-fish. Fundulus majalis. Female.......... 000.0000 escent eee Mud-fish. Fundulusheteroclitus. Male.............. 0.000 Spring minnow. Fundulusdiaphanus. Male....... Sitpiake-tune Wie ye alge FQ Ee Sah Springminnow. Fundulusdiaphanus. Female...................0.00000 eee Rathbun’s killi-fish. Fundulusrathbunt ......000. 0000 ccc Star-headed minnow. Fundulus nottit........000 600 eee Variegated minnow. C'yprinodon variegatus..........0 0006000 e cee ee Top minnow. Gambusiaaffinis. Male...........00 00060. 0ccceeeeeeeee Top minnow. Gambusiaaffinis. Female .............0.. 00000 e cece eee Top minnow. Heterandria formosa.......... 0.0.0 Gar-fish; bill-fish. Tylosurus marinus.........00. 00000 ccc eee eee Houndsfish.. Pylosurws aeuss 1224-280 e05 sk oes PER LEE SE YESS Wee hs KBE Sew sot dees Half-beak. Hyporhamphus roberti.... 00.00.0000 cc cence Half-beak. Hemirhamphus brasiliensis..........0.0.0. 000 ccc cence Skipper; saury. Scombresox saurus....00 000.0 e eee 66. 67, 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111. 115, tis. 114, 115. 116. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Flying-fish. Cypselurusluthent.. 22002000 c00s ce ewenws Pewee www ena RRA Sea-horse. Hippocampus hudsonius......... 0.0000 cee Pirate perch. Aphredoderus sayanus...... 000666 Silverside. Menidia menidia................... cand GRawe rumen sient everes Silverside. Menidiaberyllina cerea.... 0.0.0.6 eee Striped mullet; jumping mullet. Mudgil cephalus...........0... 0000 eee eee White mullet. Mugil curema........ 000.0 0c cnet ee Barracuda. Sphyrena borealis.......0.0 060 ete tee Goat-fish. Upeneus maculatus.......0.0 0000 ett e eee Frigate mackerel. Ausisthazard......00 00.0 y 0 cece eee eect eee nb enna eens Little tunny. Gymnosarda alleterata ...........0 00 ees Spanish mackerel. Scomberomorus maculatus. ........0... 000 eens King-fish. Scomberomorus regalis.. 0.0.00 eee Common mackerel. Scomber scombrus........000 000s Cutlass-fish; hair-tail. Trichiuruslepturus....... 000000000 cece eee Leather-jacket. Oligoplites saurus........ 00000 eee Amber-fish. Seriolalalandt..... 0.0... cette teens Cavallys, Caran Rip POS se. ssc sists actus ad cdc igs ish dept dna ding dod dv udbipiasd Spdooaine uly Bava Cavally; hard-tail. Caran crysos......0 0000 cece Stare’: COR G MBL US cess ss Te scent sO os HAL silo ah GF aS Ue AAS acm scan te wanted. Thread-fish. Alectis ciliaris... 0.0.0... Moon-fish; horse-fish. Vomer setipinnis.........00 000000000 cece cee Moon-fish; lookdown. Selene vomer.......... 0000 c cent n ee Bumper. Chloroscombrus chrysurus.. 0.000600. eee Gaff-topsail pompano. Trachinotus glaucus.........0.00..00 000 cee eee Pompano.. Trachinotus carolinuss «o2scxcwedad yy cree eevee rani ees ieraeiees Blue-fish. Pomatomus saltaurte: ons os coes Sea ewer ea nees Ber Ree TARE OEHEEA OOS Crab-eater. Rachycentron canadus........00 60 e ete Portugese-man-of-war-fish. Nomeusgronovit........00000 0000 c cece eee Harvest-fish; star-fish. Peprilus alepidotus........00.. 0000. ccc cee Butter-fish. Poronotus triacanthus.....0..0000006 0060 c cece ccc cece e eens Dolphin. Coryphenahippurus......0..0.0000 500 eet ee Pygmy sun-fish. Elassoma evergladet........00 0000 c ccc eee ee Calico bass; strawberry bass; crappy. Pomowtis sparoides.................0-0005 Flier. Centrarchus macropterus.... 00060 cette eee eee Mud sun-fish; mud bass. Acantharchus pomotis.........0.0.00. 00000. e eee eee Rock bass. Ambloplites rupestris......00000 00 eens Warmouth; goggle-eye. Chunobryttus gulosus..........000 00000 cc eee ee Black-banded sun-fish. Mesoyonistius chetodon........0....00 60000 c cece Long-eared sun-fish. Lepomis auritus........ 00 0c eens Small-mouthed black bass. Micropterus dolomicu..........0..000. 0000 eee Large-mouthed black bass. Muicropterus salmoides..........0..00000 000 ce cece Wall-eyed pike; pike perch. Stizostedion vitreum ..........00 0000000 cece eee Yellow perch. Perca flavescens.......00.. 0c cece eee Log perch. Percinacaprodes......0 0600 cette ees Darter: FLGARO Peers CU d 08 ob cass ashi ee Htclnl sted n Balin dn Seattecvelarm wie aed ares oa areas Orange-colored darter. Hypohomus aurantiacus........0.0..000 0000 Snub-nosed darter. Ulocentra simotera....... 0.0.06 tees Johnny darter. Boleosoma nigrum. .......0. 000 te cece eee ene Swannanoa darter. Etheostoma swannanoa...... 2.0... Blue-breasted darter. Etheostoma camurum....0.00 0000s 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141, 142. 143. 144, 145. 146. 147, 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154, 155. 156. 157. 158. 159. 160. 161. 162. 163. 164, 165. 166. 167. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Fusiform darter. Boleichthys fusiformis.......... 00.0000 c eee cence 265 Copeland’s darter. Copelandellus quiescens.........0. 0000 e eect eee eee 269 Striped bass; rock-fish. Roccuslineatus..........00 0006s 271 White perch. Morone americana.......... 00006 274 Red grouper. Epinephelus morio........00 0.6 e teens 276 Gag. Mycteroperca microlepis.0ii5s.4 ce vexs ees oa PALES Het sade teense stene ge 277 Sea bass; black-fish. Centropristes striatus.........00 0000 e cee 280 Rock sea bass. Centropristes philadelphicus.........0...00 60 e cect eee 281 Squirrel-fish. Diplectrum formosum.........00000 000 eee pba 282 Triple-tail; flasher. Lobotes surinamensis........000 000 c cee 284 Red snapper. Lwutianus blackfordt.........0.0.0 000 ccc cece eee 288 Muittonsfish. Ladianusanalts: ose... os site age Heng wd neato Bad ee D waren Sale ga 289 Pig-fish; hog-fish. Orthopristis chrysopterus..........0 0000000 c cece cece eens 291 Grunt. Haemulon plumiert.: 244.0224 se osa¢e sss sense eh Pes ee Hes WE ea ad Es 292 Grunt; tom-tate. Bathystomarimator.......-.00 600000 e eects 294 Scup; pin-fish. Stenotomus chrysops... 0.0.0.0. 0000 cc ccc cee ee eee 296 Long-spined porgy. Otrynter caprinus....... 06666. 297 Sailor’s choice; robin. Lagodon rhomboides........... 000.00 ccc ete eas 299 Sheepshead. Archosargus probatocephalus.......... 00600000 cece eee 301 Spot-tailed pin-fish. Diplodusholbrookii........00000000 0 ccc ccc ccc cece ce nees 303 Silver squeteague. Cynoscion nothus........ 66 eens 309 Squeteague; weak-fish. Cynoscton regalis.........0..0.0 000 0c cee eee 310 Spotted squeteague; southern squeteague. Cynoscion nebulosus..............044 311 Yellow-tail. Bairdiella chrysura.............. Doi eotaethenada:t oh aaiua a Rae ate 314 Spot. Letostomus wanthurus..... 00606 ees anew eae 316 Croaker. Micropogon undulatus...... 00000 cette teen nee 318 Red drum; red-fish. Scienops ocellatus......00.. 000 cence 320 King-fish; Carolina whiting. Menticirrhus americanus............0.000.00.0005 322 Surf whiting. Menticirrhuslittoralis.........00.0.0000 0000 ccc eee eee eee 824 Black drum. Pogoniascromis.......0.000 00 ccc cece cece cece event eeeeeens 325 Wautog:, “TatUtogaOnites saci: iors 65a cakes Bersih esok eden Peinewinn gusbeag Gdaree S AereE ESS 328 Slippery dick. Iridio bivittatus...... 0... ccc eect teenies 330 Razor-fish. Xyrichthys psittacus... 0.0.06 ec eee tees 332 Spade-fish; porgee. Cheetodtpterus faber....... 0.0... cen 335 Surgeon-fish; tang. Hepatus bahtanus........0.. 0000 0c cece cee ees 338 Trigger-fish. Balistes carolinensis..........0000 00 eee eeeee eee 340 File-fish. Monacanthus hispidus..........00 000 c ccc cece ence (2. B41 File-fish; fool-fish. Ceratacanthus schepfit........... 0.00 ccc ccc eee 343 Camel-fish; trunk-fish. Lactophrystrigonus............. 000 eevee ne Si it 345 Puffer; swell-fish. Spheroides maculatus.........0... 000000 eee 347 Puffer; rabbit-fish. Lagocephaluslevigatus........0.000 000 ccc cece eas 349 Porcupine-fish. Diodon hystriv...... 0.0... cece ccc ccc tenet eee 350 Bur-fish; spiny toad-fish. Chilomycterus spinosus..........0.0000 00 ccc ccc eens 351 Sun-fish:: Mola molds sige simi wane te vane sy Sena sa here Shaws ha vow lean 4 ele 353 Scorpion-fish. Scorpaena brasiliensis..........00 00. ccc eens 356 Striped sea-robin. Prionotusevolans...........0.0 0.06 c ccc cece cece aes 359 Slender sea-robin. Prionotus scitulus... 0.2... 000. ccc cece eens 360 Carolina sea-robin. Prionotus carolinus... 0.2... 006 c ccc eee eens 361 Flying gurnard. Cephalacanthus volitans.........00 00. c ccc ccc 363 Spotted goby. Dormitator maculatus.........0 00. 364 Goby. Ctenogobius stigmaticus.......0 00.0 0c cen ene e ens 365 168. 169. 170. 171. 172. 173. 174. 175. 176. 177. 178. 179. 180. 181. 182. 183. 184. 185. 186. 187. 188. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Holmes’ goby. Microgobiusholmesi........0.0 2.0000 occ cee teens Shark-sucker; remora. Leptecheneis naucrates.............00e0 ccs ee ener eee Star-gazer. Astroscopus Y-Gr@cum ..... 0.0. ee tenets ‘Toad-fish. Opsantsitaits joxenus sia ane $40 ses Ses Ah eee sd WE ETS EES eS ee PEELS Blenny. Hypsoblennius hentz........000.0.00 060 e eee ee Eel-pout. Zoarcesanguillaris......00.0.0 000 cee tetas Cusk-eel. Rissola marginata.............0. 0c teeter eens Cod:, "Gadus CON aitas icc as cw en Mae aagnn dea eehe wakes DoF RATA A Ae Ree Codling. Urophycisregius.......0 00000 cece jacnacnectes pia ae Earll’s hake; dickie. Urophycisearllt.........0..06 0000 cee ee Summer flounder; plaice. Paralichthys dentatus...........0.000 000000 e eee Syaciuint papllosunisacs s bb’. Body and head not greatly compressed, and not covered with rough scales; eye moderate...... SERRANID# (sea basses). aa’. Vomer toothless; dorsal fins continuous; body compressed, back elevated. Losotip (thrashers). yy. Maxillary sheathed by the preorbital and slipping under it for most of its length; an accessory scale in axil of ventral; no spine on posterior margin of opercle. c’. Vomer and palatines toothed; preopercle finely or obsoletely serrate. d’. Jaw teeth never incisors or molars, all acute. LutIanip& (snappers). dd’. Jaw teeth mostly incisors, no molars or canines........ KypHosip (rudder-fishes). cc’. Vomer and palatines toothless; preopercle entire; jaw teeth incisors or conical in front, molars on sides. Sparip& (scup, breams, etc.). ce. Body scaleless, the skin smooth, prickly, tuberculate, or with scattered bony plates. e’. A sucking-disk on breast. }’. Sucking-disk between ventral fins; no spinous dorsal fin; gillmembranes not united to isthmus .........ccec eee c ec er stare rees Gosresocip (cling-fishes). ff’. Sucking-disk formed from ventral fins; dorsal spines present; gill-membranes * united to isthmus .......... 0. cece ec eee ne eee eens LIPARIDID& (sea-snails). ee’. No sucking-disk on breast. g’. Gill-membranes broadly united to isthmus; ventral fins united. Gos, in part (gobies). gg’. Gill-membranes nearly or entirely separate from isthmus; ventral fins not Wnited sis satre ke as as 2 OSes eatee ane sea ws ainie od weal e's Cortip (sculpins). bb. Gill-openings behind, above, or below pectoral fins. h’. Mouth small; gill-openings in or behind upper axil of pectorals. OacocEPHALID/ (bat-fishes). hh’. Mouth moderate or large; gill-openings in or behind lower axil of pectorals. w’, Mouth moderate, oblique or nearly vertical; pseudobranchie absent; body some- what compressed; size small........-..........20- ANTENNARIID# (frog-fishes). ii’. Mouth exceedingly large, horizontal; pseudobranchie present; body greatly depressed; size large.... 2... ccc eee eee ee eee eee Lorain (goose-fishes). aa. Ventral rays not always 1,5. j’. Form unsymmetrical, the eyes and color being on one side, leaving other side blind and colorless. k’. Eyes large, usually well separated; mouth moderate or large; teeth well developed; margin of preopercle not concealed by skin and scales. PLEURONECTID# (flounders). kk’. Eyes small, close together; mouth very small, more or less twisted; teeth rudimen- tary or absent; margin of preopercle concealed by skin and scales. . SoLeip# (soles). jj’. Form symmetrical, the eyes and color not confined to one side. Uv. All fins without spinous rays; a barbel on chin; ventral rays 2 to 7. Gapip (cods). iW’. Some fins with spinous rays. m’, Ventral opening far forward (under head in adult); ventral rays 7; dorsal fin single, with 3 or 4 anterior rays spinous; size small; fresh-water species. APHREDODERID& (pirate perches). mm’. Ventral opening in normal position; ventral soft rays fewer than 5. n’. Dorsal fins with some spines. : o’. Upper jaw not produced in the form of a sword; fishes of moderate or small size. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 53 p’. Dorsal fin with soft rays anteriorly and spines posteriorly; ventral fins very small; gill-membranes broadly joined to isthmus; form elongate. ZoaRcip£ (eel-pouts). pp’. Dorsal fin with spines anteriorly and soft rays posteriorly. q’. Cheeks covered with bony armor; pare fins divided, the lower part very large like the “wing” of a flying-fish. CEPHALACANTHID# (flying-gurnards). qq’. Cheeks not covered with bony armor; pectoral fins not divided. r’. Dorsal fins 2, the spines 3; gills 3; mouth very large and fringed; size TO GET ALE jin. te ermine ora: diane: var rer nia tavern “onsen BATRACHOIDID® (toad-fishes). rr’. Dorsal fin single, the spines numerous (at least 11); gills 4; mouth small not fringed; size small................... BLENNIID& (blennies). oo’. Upper jaw produced in the form of a powerful sword; fishes of very large SIZE yes naria peeps REET 4 WHOM ORGIES Dawe IsTIOPHORID (sail-fishes). nn’. Dorsal fins without spines; a large sucking-disk between ventral fins. ; GoBIESOCIDA, in part (cling-fishes). IV. Ventral fins absent. a. Body eel-shaped; maxillary and premaxillary bones absent or fused with palatines. b. Gill-openings vertical, usually well developed; skin with or without scales; a tongue present; pectoral fins present or absent. c. Skin covered by rudimentary linear scales; pectoral fins well developed. ANGUILLID& (common eels). cc. Skin scaleless. d. Tip of tail with a distinct fin, confluent with the dorsal and anal; pectoral fins well developed; dorsal fin beginning posterior to gill-openings; mouth large. LEpPToOcEPHALID& (conger eels). dd. Tip of tail without a fin and projecting beyond dorsal and anal fins; pectoral fins rudimentary (in local representative); dorsal fin beginning on head; mouth small. OpHicHTHYID# (snake eels). bb. Gill-openings small, roundish; skin scaleless; tongue absent; pectoral fins absent. MurR&NIDz (morays). aa. Body not eel-shaped; maxillary and premaxillary bones present. e. Gill-membranes broadly joined to isthmus. 7. Snout tubular, with a small, toothless mouth at end; body more or less encased in DOW Y? PUBS: oe iicsies soca aiuelrern eelealniarn wae SYNGNATHID# (pipe-fishes and sea-horses). fj. Snout not tubular; body not encased in bony rings. g. Two dorsal fins, anterior with spinous rays, posterior with soft rays; body deep and greatly compressed. h. Dorsal spines 2 or 3 in number; skin covered with small, rough scales. . Bavistip& (trigger-fishes). hh. Dorsal spine single; skin covered with minute, rough scales, Monacanruips (file-fishes). gg- One dorsal fin, composed of soft rays only. i. Teeth in each jaw fused into 1. j. Body compressed; dorsal and anal fins very high and pointed; skin with- out spines; size very large .............. 0c ee eee eeee Mouip (head-fishes). jj. Body not compressed; dorsal and anal fins small; skin thickly covered with long spines; size moderate.................. Diopont1p& (porcupine-fishes)- ui. Teeth in each jaw fused into 2; skin more or less prickly. TETRAODONTIDZ (puffers). iii. Teeth in each jaw not fused; body encased in a bony armor. ; Osrracup (trunk-fishes). ee. Gill-membranes not joined to isthmus. k. Ventral opening at throat; body elongate; dorsal fin single, short, of soft rays only; size very sMalli. csc cecems ccanenesavass AMBLYOPSID# (swamp and cave fishes). kk. Ventral opening situated posteriorly. l. Mouth large; body elongate, without scales; size large. m. Jaws nearly equal, and armed with large teeth; body very long, compressed; dorsal fin low and extending entire length of body; caudal fin absent. TRICHIURID& (cutlass-fishes). mm. Upper jaw produced to form a long, powerful sword; mouth toothless; body moderately elongate, not compressed; caudal fin large and forked. IPHIIDZ (sword-fishes). ll, Mouth small; body compressed and deep, and covered with small scales; dorsal and anal fins elongate, with interior rays produced; caudal deeply forked; size BMA i icissreiiramrnsa tanlere si edaar dered teas ae STROMATEIDAD (butter fishes), 54 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Series GANOIDEA. The Ganoid Fishes. The ganoids are primitive fishes, mostly fossils, with only a few living representatives. The group is not sharply defined, but is chiefly characterized by a more or less complete armor covering the body, by numerous valves in the arterial bulb which forms a part of the heart, and by a spiral valve in the lower part of the intestine. The American species are few in number, and fall into four families which are easily distinguished. The salient characters of each are given in the following key in greater detail than in the preceding general key to the true fishes: . Key to the families of ganoid fishes. i. Skeleton chiefly cartilaginous; skin either armed with bony plates or naked; branchiostogals single or absent; spiracles present. a. Snout prolonged into a long, paddle-shaped blade; no barbels; sides of tail with small bony plates; mouth broad, terminal; air-bladder cellular................ POLYODONTID. aa. Snout prolonged, but not flat and paddle-like; barbels present on under side of snout; body imperfectly covered with large bony plates; mouth circular, inferior; air-bladder simple saGess ¥3:¢ su e's ie Sau anaes diere sew onde nme de tga ly oa ate ate 2S ACIPENSERID. ii. Skeleton bony; body completely covered with small bony scales; branchiostegals few or numerous; spiracles absent; air-bladder cellular. b. Both jaws more or less prolonged, toothed, the upper ey projecting; nostrils near end of upper jaw; no barbels; dorsal fin short, high, placed posteriorly, opposite anal; branchiostegals 3. 0.0... 0... c eee eee eect nes shy diatinge acaalin eae 3 LEPISOSTEIDE. bb. Jaws not produced; nostrils widely separated; a barbel at anterior nostril; dorsal fin very long, low, beginning nearly opposite pectorals; branchiostegals 10 ie le ATIDA. Order SELACHOSTOMI. The Shark-mouthed Ganoids. Family POLYODONTIDA. The Paddle-fishes. Body elongate, slightly compressed; snout a greatly prolonged flattened blade, widest toward the rounded tip; skin nearly smooth, with rhombic bony plates on side of tail; mouth wide, tongue absent, teeth in jaws and on palatines numerous, small, and disappearing with age; operculum rudimentary, pseudobranchize absent; a single branchiostegal; lateral line present, continuous; spiracles present; nostrils double, located at base of blade; air-bladder cellular; intestine with a spiral valve; dorsal and anal fins soft-rayed, placed far backward; pectorals thoracic, ventrals abdominal. Only two genera known, one Chinese, the other American. Genus POLYODON Lac€péde. Paddle-fishes. This genus, which includes a single species, has numerous very long, slender gill-rakers, in a double series on each gill-arch; and caudal fin forked, its bent portion with 12 to 20 fulcral plates, in addition to the foregoing family characters. (Polyodon, many-toothed.) 25. POLYODON SPATHULA (Walbaum). Paddle-fish; Spoon-billed Cat-fish. Squalus spathula Walbaum, Artedi Genera Piscium, 522, 1792. Polyodon folium, Cope, 18700, 492; French Broad River near Asheville. Polyodon spathula, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 101, pl. 20, figs. 43, 43a. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 55 Diacnosis.—Head, with snout, more than .5 total length of body; snout or spatula reticulated, .25 to .4 total length, longest in young; opercular flap very long, extending nearly to ventrals; prexamillary bone reaching behind the eye; eye very small, above tip of lower jaw; a minute barbel on spiracle; skin scaleless, and smooth except on side of tail; dorsal fin behind ventrals, the rays 50 to 60; anal arising under middle of dorsal, the rays 50 to 65; caudal large, forked, asymmetrical. Color: pale green above, white below. (spathula, spatula.) The claim of this species to a place in the North Carolina fauna rests on Professor Cope’s statement that it ascends the French Broad River to near Ashe- ville. It inhabits the Mississippi and tributaries. The length reaches 6 feet, of which the paddle is about one-third. It was formerly supposed that the paddle was used to stir up the mud, which was eaten for the minute animals it contained, the interlacing gill-rakers serving as a strainer to intercept the food articles, while the silt passed through; but recent investigation has shown that the species feeds near the surface. Nothing is known of its spawning habits. Within a comparatively few years the fish, formerly regarded as of little value, has come into use on account of its eggs, which are made into caviar, and also on account of its flesh, which is now highly regarded and brings a good price. Order CHONDROSTEI. The Cartilaginous Ganoids. Family ACIPENSERID. The Sturgeons. Large fishes of elongate, cylindrical form; cartilaginous skeleton; body imper- fectly covered with 5 longitudinal rows of large bony plates or shields, between which are small irregular plates; head covered with similar large plates; snout produced, with 4 flexible barbels hanging from its lower surface; mouth on under side of head, small, without teeth, capable of being protracted for feeding; eyes small; tail heterocercal; air-bladder large, simple, connected with the esophagus by aduct. The largest fishes found in fresh waters of northern parts of America, Europe and Asia; some migratory, some found only in fresh water; very valua- ble as food. Three genera, including seven American species. Genus ACIPENSER Linnzus. Sturgeons. Bony plates not confluent; one series on back and a lateral and abdominal series on each side, ventral plates often deciduous; snout more or less conical, depressed; spiracle over eye; gill-rakers small, pointed. Two Atlantic coast species, both found in North Carolina, differing greatly in length of snout and in other respects. (Actpenser, sturgeon.) 26. ACIPENSER OXYRHYNCHUS Mitchill. “Sturgeon’’; Sharp-nosed Sturgeon. Acupenser oxyrhynchus Mitchill, Transactions Literary and Philosophical Society of New York, i, 462, 1814 New York. * Yarrow, 1877, 216; North, New, and Neuse rivers. Acipenser sturio oxyrhynchus, Smith, 1893a, 190, 193, 198; Pasquotank River, Edenton Bay, Roanoke River Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 105, pl. xx, fig. 45. 56 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Diaenosis.—Body elongate, its greatest depth about .16 total length; head Iong, about -33 total length of body; snout long and sharp, its length about equal to remaining part of head, becoming shorter with age; the smaller bony plates between the dorsal and lateral series are stellate, rather large, and in 5 to 10 series; dorsal plates 10 to 14, lateral 27 to 29, ventral 8 to 11; dorsal rays 38 to 40, anal rays 23 to 27. Color: gray or brown above, creamy, whitish, or light gray below. (oxyrhynchus, sharp-snouted.) This, the common sturgeon of northwestern Europe and the Atlantic coast of the United States as far southward as South Carolina, is found in the eastern rivers of North Carolina, which it ascends in spring to spawn. It attains a large size, examples having been taken that were 12 feet long and weighed over 500 pounds; the average length, however, does not exceed 5 feet. Two fish caught at Hatteras in the spring of 1906 were 9 and 11 feet long, according to Dr. E. W. Gudger, who examined their skins. In the Roanoke River near Plymouth, young sturgeon, about a foot in length, begin to run as early as February and are caught in seines hauled for striped bass, but the adult fish do not appear until the latter part of April, after the main run of shad isover. Young sturgeon are also taken at sea; on April 22, 1904, the author observed 3 examples 15 inches long caught in a gill net at Cape Lookout. Fig. 12. Srurazon. Acipenser oxyrhynchus. The sturgeon is a bottom feeder, and subsists on a great variety of animal and vegetable food which it takes up with its protractile, sucker-like mouth. The mature ovaries of this species may constitute 25 per cent of the total weight of the fish, and may yield from 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 eggs. The eggs are about .11 inch in diameter, and when deposited become agglutinated and attached to brush, weeds, stones, etc. The young come from the eggs in about 1 week in water having a temperature of 64° F. Writing of the North Carolina sturgeon in 1709, John Lawson said: Of the sturgeon we have plenty, all the fresh parts of our rivers being well stored therewith. The Indians upon and towards the heads and falls of our rivers, strike a great many of these, and eat them; yet the Indians near the salt-waters will not eat them. I have seen an Indian strike one of these fish, seven foot long, and leave him on the sands to be eaten by the gulls. In May, they run up towards the heads of the rivers, where you see several hundreds of them in one day. The Indians have another way to take them, which is by nets at the end of a pole. The bones of these fish make good nutmeg-graters. The available statistics of the sturgeon fishery of North Carolina show a very irregular production, owing to changing conditions, such as non-appre- ciation, over-fishing and increasing demand. The catch in 1880 was 436,900 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 57 pounds, worth $18,094. In 1889 the total yield was 227,797 pounds, valued at $5,754. The next year the catch fell to 175,210 pounds, worth $4,467. Seven years later it rose to 371,625 pounds, for which the fishermen received $13,525. In 1902, although the catch was only 134,125 pounds, the value of the fish was $15,347, including caviar. Dare County now produces the great bulk of the sturgeon placed on the market, the fish being caught in gill nets. This species is now much less abundant than formerly,and in North Caro- lina has undergone the same diminution seen in other states. Whereas it was formerly regarded as a nuisance, and ruthlessly destroyed and thrown away whenever caught, it is now one of the most valuable of the east coast fishes; the principal fishery is in Delaware Bay and River. It is caught in gill nets, pound nets, seines, and other appliances, and may also be taken on set lines baited with fish. Besides its flesh, which is marketable in a fresh or smoked condition, its eggs are very valuable for use in making caviar, its swim-bladder is convertible into a high-grade isinglass, and its skin is also utilized. In some of the large shad seines in Albemarle Sound it has sometimes hap- pened during the past 7 or 8 years that not a single adult sturgeon has been caught during an entire season, whereas, 20 years ago sturgeon were abundant here and each season the shores were covered with dead fish for which there was no sale. When the fishermen finally realized the value of the fish, they pursued the fishery so actively that the species was almost wiped out in a short time and has never been able to reéstablish itself. According to Mr. Frank Wood, of Edenton, in one season $50,000 worth of sturgeon caviar was prepared in the Albemarle region. The sturgeon is by far the most valuable fish, individually considered, inhab- iting the waters of North Carolina or, in fact, the Atlaritic coast of the United States. A full-sized female with roe will now often bring the fisherman $80; and it is a matter of record that in 1906 a North Carolina fisherman who caught 47 large sturgeon in salt water received for them over $2,500 after deducting all expenses of shipment. It is incumbent on the state to take prompt and radical measures to prevent the further diminution in the supply of this excellent fish, and to restore it to something like its original abundance, if this is now possible. Besides prohib- iting absolutely the killing of any examples under 8 feet long, it will probably be desirable to stop the destruction of large fish for a term of years. Supplemen- tary to these restrictive aids, the state or the general government should under- take the artificial propagation of the sturgeon on several of the rivers where the fish is still found. 27. ACIPENSER BREVIROSTRUM LeSueur. “Sturgeon’’; Short-nosed Sturgeon. Acipenser brevirostrum LeSueur, Transactions American Philosophical Society, i, 130, 1818. Yarrow, 1877 216; North, New and Neuse Rivers, Jordan, 1887, 26; Beaufort region. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 106, pl. xxi, fig. 46. 58 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Diacnosis.—Head short, about .25 total body length; snout short and blunt, only .25 to .33 length of head; dorsal plates 8 to 11, lateral plates 22 to 33, ventral plates 6 to 9; dorsal rays 33, anal rays 19 to 22. Color: brown above, white below; peritoneum dark, viscera black. (brevirostrum, short-beaked.) Fig. 13. SaHortT-Nosep SturGEON. Acipenser brevirostrum. This is a comparatively rare species, not usually recognized by fishermen, ranging from Massachusetts to Florida. Its maximum length is under 3 feet, and it is mature when under 2 feet. Its habits are similar to those of the long- nosed sturgeon. While it doubtless ascends all suitable streams in North Caro- lina, actual records of its occurrence are rare. Order RHOMBOGANOIDEA. The Rhomboid Ganoids. Family LEPISOSTEID. The Gar Pikes. Large fresh-water fishes, of little economic value, with very elongate, more or less cylindrical body, covered with small, hard plates in regular rows; elongate jaws, both armed with sharp teeth; external skull bones rough and hard; small eyes; an accessory gill on the under side of opercle; short gill rakers; and other features shown in the key. Very destructive to other fishes and comparatively free from enemies owing to their strong armor. One genus and five American species, one of which, the alligator gar of the South Central States, attains a length of 10 feet. Genus LEPISOSTEUS Lacépéde. Gar Pikes. Characters of the genus are shown above. One species inhabits North Carolina waters. (Lepisosteus, bony-scaled.) 28. LEPISOSTEUS OSSEUS (Linnezus). “Gar Pike’; Long-nosed Gar; Bill-fish. Esox osseus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 313, 1758; Virginia. Lepidosteus osseus, Cope, 1870b, 492; Yadkin and other rivers of eastern North Carolina. Jordan, 1886, 26; Beaufort. TEarll, 1887, 484, 485; Neuse River. Jenkins, 1887, 85; Beaufort. Lepidosteus huronensis, Cope, 1870b, 492, 495; French Broad River. ’ Lepisosteus osseus, Jordan, 1889b, 125; Pamlico River. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 304; Neuse River (Raleigh), Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 109. Diagnosis.—Body elongate, cylindrical, depth .08 of total length; head .33 total length; snout very long, .66 total length of head and 15 to 20 times as long as wide; upper jaw the longer, with a single row of large teeth on each side; lower jaw with several series of teeth; dorsal rays 7 or 8; anal rays 9; scales in lateral line, 62 to 65. Color: green above, silvery on sides, white beneath; body and fins with numerous round black spots. (osseus, bony.) The long-nosed gar inhabits the Great Lakes, the Mississippi Valley, and the seaboard states from New Hampshire to Texas. It attains a length of 5 or 6 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 59 feet, and is a very hardy, destructive species, preying on almost every other kind of fish. Itspawns in spring, in shallow water. In North Carolina it is found in the lowland streams and sluggish coastal waters generally, sometimes entering salt water. In Albemarle Sound the species is not rare, and is taken in shad seines and other apparatus. At the Avoca shad fishery in April, 1899, the author saw two 4-foot gars skinned, boiled, and eaten with gusto by negro fishermen. Dr. Capehart states that before the days of steel plows his grandfather used to cover his plow-shares with the skin of the gar pike. Mr. Earll, in 1880, noted a fishery for gars in Neuse River near New Bern, and said of the fish trade of that city: “ The coarsest species are not only seen in the markets, but they make up the bulk of the sales. The gar (L. osseus), not seen by usin any other market in the country, is one of the principal food-fishes here, where it is highly prized by negroes. At the present time the gar can not be said to be one of the principal food fishes of the New Bern market; but the fish is still regularly sold there, and one of the common sights on the water front is a negro skinning a gar. The expression ‘‘common as gar broth” is proverbial. The meat of thisfish, however, is well-flavored and wholesome, and its consumption should become more general. There is a limited demand for the skin, which may be used in covering boxes, sword hilts, ete. It is now nearly 200 years since Lawson wrote the following account of the “white guard-fish”, in contradistinction to the “green guard-fish” (Tylosurus): The white guard-fish is shaped almost like a pike, but slenderer; his mouth has a long small bill set with teeth, in which he catches small fish; his scales are knit together like armour. When they dress him, they strip him, taking off scales and skin together. His meat is very white, and rather looks like flesh than fish. The English account them no good fish; but the Indians do. The gall of this fish is green, and a violent cathartick, if taken inwardly. Order CYCLOGANOIDEA. The Cylindrical Ganoids. Family AMIATIDA. The Bow-fins. This family includes only one living species, widely distributed in the United States. Features by which the family may be distinguished are given in the foregoing key. Body long and stout; head blunt; jaws toothed, the lower jaw with a bony plate between the rami; teeth also on vomer, palatal, and ptery- goid bones; tongue thick; nostrils well separated; cheeks and top of head with bony plates; a broad flat skin on the edge of the opercle; no pseudobranchiez; gill-rakers short and stout; scales hard, cycloid, with a soft border; lateral line present; tail heterocercal; air-bladder bifid anteriorly, serving as a lung. Genus AMIATUS Rafinesque. Bow-fins. Characters of the genus are sufficiently indicated in the family diagnosis. The generic name Amia, which has heretofore been used in this connection, 60 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. appears to be no longer applicable, as it was originally given by Gronow to a genus of cardinal-fishes until recently called Apogon. (Amiatus, from amia, an ancient Greek fish name.) 29. AMIATUS OALVA (Linn sus). ‘*Black-fish’’; ‘‘Grindle’’; ‘‘Brindle-fish’’; Dog-fish; Mud-fish; Bow-fin. Amia calva Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 500, 1766; Charleston, South Carolina. Cope, 1870b, 492; Neuse River. Jordan, 1889b, 127; Neuse River. Smith, 1893a, 190,193, 198; Pasquotank River, Edenton Bay, Roanoke River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 113, pl. 22, figs. 51, 51a. Smith, 1900, 134; Lake Mattamuskeet. , Diaanosis.—Body long but robust, the depth about .2 total length; head conical, its length about .25 total length of body; mouth large, jaws nearly equal, upper jaw extending beyond eye; jaws with strong conical teeth, with a band of finer teeth in lower jaw; a small barbel near anterior nostril; scales hard, cycloid, 62 to 70 in lateral series and 18 to 20 in transverse series; dorsal rays 42 to 53; anal rays 10 to 12. Color: dark olive above, greenish reticulations on sides, whitish below; round dark spots on lower jaw; dorsal and caudal fins mottled; in male a round black spot with orange border at base of tail, this spot very faint in female. (calva, bald.) Fig. 14. Mup-risa; Bow-rin. Amiatus calva. The bow-fin is one of the most interesting of American fishes, being the only living representative of an order and family of which various fossil mem- bers have beenfound. It ranges from the Great Lakes to Virginia, Florida, and ‘Texas, and is abundant throughout most of its habitat. Sluggish waters are its favorite haunts. It occurs along the entire length of the coastal plain region of North Caro- lina, and is well known to fishermen and others under the local name of ‘‘black- fish”’, ‘‘grindle” or “‘grindal’’, and “‘brindle-fish”’. As early as 1709 we find the name “grindle” given to this species by Lawson, who wrote: Grindals are a long scaled fish with small eyes; and frequent ponds, lakes, and slow- flowing creeks and swamps. They are a soft sorry fish, and good for nothing; though some eat them for good fish. The female attains a length of 2 to 3 feet, while the male is considerably smaller. The largest recorded specimen weighed 12 pounds. The species is noted for its voracity, all kinds of fishes falling an easy prey. This habit, together with its hardiness and its comparative immunity from attack by other SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 61 fishes, makes it a very undesirable inhabitant of our waters. It is able to live out of water for many hours, even when exposed to direct sun rays; and the young will exist for months in small aquaria without change of water. Spawning occurs in spring, the eggs being deposited in sluggish or stagnant waters. The eggs and young are guarded by the parent fish, after the manner of the sun-fishes. The bow-fin is particularly common in Albemarle Sound, and it also ascends all the rivers tributary to the sound but is less common therein. It is often caught in nets employed for shad and alewives, but it has no commercial value, although sometimes eaten by negroes; the flesh is described as “‘cottony.”’ Series TELEOSTEI. The Bony Fishes. The teleosts constitute the most numerous group of fishes, and are distin- guished by a perfectly ossified skeleton and the absence of the characters found in the ganoids; that is, the body is not covered with ganoid scales or bony plates, the arterial bulb of the heart is thin-walled and has a pair of opposite valves, there is no spiral valve in the intestine, and the optic nerves do not form a solid chiasm. There are numerous orders, which, in most cases, are not here referred to at length, as they contain but a single family whose description will suffice for an understanding of the ordinal characters; but other orders, with many local species representing two or more families, have been considered in some detail. Order NEMATOGNATHI. The Whiskered Fishes. Family SILURIDA. The Cat-fishes. The cat-fishes are readily distinguished by smooth scaleless bodies, adipose dorsal fin, stout spines in dorsal and pectoral fins, and barbels or whiskers on upper and lower jaws (whence the name cat-fishes). They inhabit both fresh and salt waters, and are very hardy. Some attain a large size, and are impor- tant food fishes. Many of them guard their eggs and young like the basses; some of the species are ovoviviparous. The North Carolina cat-fishes represent 12 species, and fall in the following genera: Key to the North Carolina genera of cat-fishes. i. Anterior and posterior nostrils close together, neither with a barbel; barbels 4 or 6; marine species. a. Lower jaw with 2 barbels, dorsal and pectoral spines ending in a long filament. FELICHTHYS. aa. Lower jaw with 4 barbels, dorsal and pectoral spines without filaments. GALEICTHYS. wz. Anterior and posterior nostrils well separated, the posterior nostril with a barbel; barbels 8; fresh-water species. b. Adipose fin with its posterior margin free. c. Band of teeth in upper jaw terminating abruptly behind, not extending backward at outer angles. d. A continuous bony ridge (under skin) from snout to dorsal fin, the supraoccipital bone being extended backward to dorsal spine; caudal fin always forked. IcTALURUS 62 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. dd. No continuous bony ridge from snout to dorsal fin; caudal typically short and (<7 [EE ds ee a ee ee ee ee AMEIURUS. cc. Band of teeth in upper jaw extending backward at its outer posterior angles. bb. Adipose fin ridge-like, its posterior edge attached to back or continuous with Seale poison gland at base of pectoral fins.............. 0. cece eee eee eee SCHILBEODES. While not the objects of special fisheries, the cat-fishes are caught in large quantities in various parts of the state, and are of increasing économic import- ance. From 55,220 pounds, worth $1,248, in 1889, the catch rose to 404,600 pounds, worth $11,971, in 1902. The counties which lead in cat-fish production are Currituck, Pasquotank, Chowan, Dare, Beaufort, and New Hanover, more than 25 per cent of the output in the last named year being from Dare. The flesh of the cat-fishes is fine, white, and well-flavored; and the demand for them both locally and for shipment outside the state seems to be growing, especially as regards the fresh-water species. Genus FELICHTHYS Swainson. Sea Cat-fishes. This genus, represented by a number of salt-water species on both coasts of tropical America, has one member inhabiting the Atlantic coast of the United States. The mouth is large; the lower jaw projects; the teeth on vomer and palatines form a crescent-shaped band; the nape has a granulated bony buckler; the caudal is deeply forked. (felichthys, cat-fish.) Fig. 15. Sea Cat-risp. Felichthys jelis. 30. FELICHTHYS FELIS (Linn zeus). “Silver Cat-fish’’; ‘‘Sea Oat-fish’’; Gaff-topsail Oat (Ga.); Large-mouthed Cat (S. C.). Silurus felis Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 503, 1766; Charleston, 8. C. 4ilurichthys marinus, Yarrow, 1877, 216; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 385; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 26; Beaufort. Smith, 1893a, 188, 194; Edenton Bay. Smith, 18938, pl. xliv. Felichthys marinus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 118, pl. xxxiii, fig. 52. Ajlurichthys felis, Giinther, Proceedings Linnzan Society of London, 1899, 30. Felichthys felis, Jordan & Evermann, 1900, 3196. : Draanosis.—Body elongate, depth more than .2 total length; head short, broad, rather less than .25 total length, maxillary barbels very long, extending beyond base of dorsal fin; SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 63 eye placed low on side of head; dorsal rays 1,7, situated far forward, the spine terminating ina long filament; pectoral spine ending similarly; anal rays 23. Color: dusky above, silvery below. (felis, cat.) This sea cat-fish ranges from Massachusetts to Texas, being common in the South Atlantic and Gulf States in salt and brackish water; it also enters fresh water, such as the western end of Albemarle Sound, where it is recognized by the fishermen as a straggler from salt water and called “‘silver cat-fish”’ It is prob- ably ovoviviparous. The food value of the species is slight. Genus GALEICHTHYS Cuvier & Valenciennes. Sea Cat-fishes. A numerious genus of marine cat-fishes, only one species inhabiting United States waters. Mouth comparatively small, the lower jaw shorter; teeth in patches on vomer and palatines; dorsal fin short and high; anal fin short; caudal deeply forked. (Galeichthys, weasel-fish.) 31. GALEICHTHYS MILBERTI (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “Oat-fish’’; ‘‘Sea Oat-fish’’; Small-mouthed Cat (S. C.). Arius milberti Cuvier & Valenciennes, xv, 74, 1840; New York; Charleston. Ariopsis milberti, Yarrow, 1877, 216; Beaufort. Ariopsis felis, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 385; Beaufort. Galeichthys felis, Jordan, 1886, 26; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 85; Beaufort. Heranematichthys felis, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 128, pl. xxiii, fig. 53. Galeichthys milberti, Jordan & Evermann, 1900, 3196, Linton, 1905, 349; Beaufort. Dracenosis.—Body elongate, depth .2 total length; head small, depressed, rather more than .25 total length; mouth small, maxillary barbel nearly as long as head; dorsal rays 1,7; anal rays 16; caudal deeply forked. Color: steel blue above, silvery sides and belly. (Named after the French naturalist, Milbert.) Fig. 16. Sra Cat-risH. Galeichthys milberti. - This species is found along the entire coast of the United States south of Cape Cod, but is not common northward. It frequents the North Carolina beaches, sounds and bays, and is the most abundant of the salt-water cat-fishes. It attains a length of 2 feet and a weight of 12 pounds, but averages much smaller. It is a bottom-loving fish, feeding chiefly on worms and small crustaceans but readily eating fish, flesh, or fowl, dead or alive. At Beaufort, its food com- prises fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, as well as sea-cucumbers, worms, and alge. 64 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Spawning occurs in summer, the large eggs being first deposited in a sandy depression and subsequently taken into the mouth of one of the parents (male?) where they remain until hatching ensues; the young are retained in the parent’s mouth for some time after hatching. From the mouth of a fish 10 inches long, 11 young 1-inch long have been taken; and in another of the same size 8 or 9 eggs as large as marbles were found. The sea cat-fish is often caught with a hook, but it is not an important com- mercial species, although the flesh is quite palatable. Genus ICTALURUS Rafinesque. Channel Cat-fishes; Fork-tailed Cat-fishes. Large North American cat-fishes, with widely-forked tails, preferring channels of larger streams. Form more graceful than that of other cat-fishes; head slender, conical, mouth small, upper jaw longer; dorsal fin short and high; anal fin long. (Zctalurus, cat-fish.) 32. IOTALURUS PUNOTATUS (Rafinesque). “Blue Oat-fish’’; Spotted Oat-fish; Channel Oat-fish (S. O., Fla.); Eel Oat-fish; Mississippi Oat-fish. Silurus punctatus Rafinesque, American Monthly Magazine, 359, 1818; Ohio River. Ictalurus cerulescens Cope, 1870b, 489; French Broad and other North Carolina tributaries of Tennessee. * Ictalurus punctatus, Jordan, 1889b, 151; French Broad River. Smith, 18930, pl. xliv. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 134, pl. xxv, fig. 58, . Dracenosis.—Body long and slender, depth .2 total length; head small, comparatively narrow, .25 total length; mouth small, maxillary barbels reaching beyond gill-opening; dorsal rays 1,6; anal large, with 25 to 30 rays. Color: above light grayish-green; below silvery; back and sides with small, round, irregularly placed dark spots; the body color sometimes a very dark velvety green, obscuring the spots. (punctatus, spotted.) Fig. 17. Sporrep Cat-risx. Ictalurus punctatus. The spotted cat-fish inhabits the Mississippi basin, streams of the Great Lakes region, and streams tributary to the Gulf of Mexico; and has been very successfully introduced into the Potomac. The only records of the occurrence of this species in North Carolina waters are those of Cope and Jordan before cited. Cope stated that the species abounded in the French Broad, and was much used as food. Jordan reported the young as abundant in channels of the French SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 65 Broad near Hot Springs, the species being recognized as a food fish and known s ‘blue cat’’. The species attains a weight of 25 pounds, and is regarded as probably the best of the cat-fishes in food value and gaminess. It takes the hook readily, and affords fine sport. Genus AMEIURUS Rafinesque. Horned Pouts; Bullheads; Mud Cat-fishes, etc. Well known and abundant fishes, found in almost every pond and stream. Some species have forked or lunate tails and are very similar to Ictalurus; the typical species with square tails. The 5 species recorded from North Carolina may be distinguished as follows: t. Caudal fin strongly forked........... 0... cece eect eect t etn c eee eneeee catus. ti. Caudal fin square or slightly emarginate. a. Anal fin long, 22-27 rays, its base more than .25 total length. aa. Anal fin shorter, 15-22 rays, its base less than .25 total length. b. Form elongate, back elevated, pectoral and dorsal spines very long... ..erebennus. bb. Form robust, back low, pectoral and dorsal spines moderate.............. natalis. c. Body stout, rather short or moderately elongate, depth contained 3.5 to 4.5 times in total length, head not markedly flat .................0.0...0005 nebulosus. ce. Boy very long and slender, depth .12 to .20 total length, head broad and very flat. vas suc ewenes tee nen ise enek nae wad Mee ReN eae tadsaw@ary ews platycephalus (Ameturus, not curtailed, in allusion to unnotched caudal fin.) 33. AMEIURUS CATUS (Linneus). ‘White Oat-fish’’; ‘‘Black Cat-fish’’; ‘‘Bullhead’’; ‘‘Oreek Oat-fish’’; “River Oatfish’’; ‘‘Forktailed Oat-fish’’; Ohannel Oat-fish. Sitlurus catus Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 305, 1758; northern part of America. Amevurus niveiventris Cope, 1870b, 488; Neuse River. Jordan, 1889b, 128: Neuse River. Ameiurus albidus, Jordan, 1889b, 134; Yadkin River. Smith, 1893a, 190, 193, 198; Albemarle Sound and trib- utaries. Ameiurus catus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 138. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 304; Neuse River. Dragnosis.—Form robust, the depth contained 3.5 to 3.75 times in total length; head rather greater than depth, in adults the head larger and wider and the mouth wider than in any other species; maxillaryand mandibular barbels long; humeral process very rough; dorsal rays 1,6; anal rays 19 to 22; caudal forked, upper lobe longer. Color: variable; back whitish, gray, bluish, or black; below white or silvery. (catus, cat.) This species, whose form and color vary with age and environment, inhabits coastwise fresh waters from New Jersey to Texas. In North Carolina it is recorded from Albemarle Sound and tributaries, the Neuse, and the Yadkin, being especially abundant in the first-named region. The maximum length is 2 feet. In Pasquotank River, under the name of “white cat”’, the fishermen recog- nize fish having a milky or dusky color, dull red fins with dark edges, and white iris, which are most common in the lower part of the river, where they seem par- tial to the sandy shoals, whence, probably, their bleached appearance. Between these light-colored fish and the very dark ones of the upper river called ‘black cats”, there is a complete gradation. The main run of alewives in this river is always followed by a noticeable increase in the abundance of this cat-fish, and 66 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. the fishermen have a saying that when the cat-fish come the herring season is over. An instance of this was observed by the writer in April, 1892, when, dur- ing a period of four days a seine caught 118,000 herring, while-on the fifth day no herring were taken but an enormous haul of cat-fish was made. In Roanoke River, cat-fish 5 to 6 inches long are exceedingly abundant in spring, and are caught in seines and weirs. The fishermen call the large pale examples of the lower river ‘“‘sound cats” and ‘‘bullheads’’, and call the small dark ones ‘‘river cats” and “creek cats’”’. During the spring fishing season, many are caught in seines hauled for shad and alewives, especially in the night hauls on the flats. The species resorts to the shad spawning-grounds to feed on the eggs, and must be enormously destruct- ive in this way. On April 24, 1899, at Capehart’s shad fishery at Avoca, not less than 5,000 white cat-fish, from 6 to 24 inches long, were caught at one evening haul, and these were without exception absolutely gorged with shad spawn, so that their white bellies were distended like balloons. Schools of alewives are followed to their spawning-grounds by droves of cat-fish, which feed on the eggs. The spawn of white perch, yellow perch, and other species is also entensively consumed by: this cat-fish. Spawning occurs in summer, and the spawning habits appear to be quite. similar to those of the bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) of which an account is herein given. As food, this is one of the best of the cat-fishes, although its commercial importance in North Carolina is comparatively slight, owing in part to the abun- ° dance of other desirable fishes and in part to the fact that most of the cat-fish are caught when shad, alewives, and striped bass are receiving special attention. 34, AMEIURUS EREBENNUS Jordan. Goode’s Oat-fish; Black Oat-fish. Ameiurus erebennus Jordan, Bulletin U. S. National Museum, x, 85, 1877; St. Johns River, Fla. Jordan, 1889b, 125, 127; Tar and Neuse rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 139. Diaenosis.—Body long, compressed, its depth somewhat less than .25 total length; head large, .25 length of body, greatest width less than its length; jaws about equal; pectoral spine .5 length of head; anal fin deep, .3 total length, 22 to 24 rays; adipose fin large; caudal short, posterior margin straight. Color: black above, pale below, fins and barbels black. (erebennus, very black.) Inhabits coastwise waters from New Jersey to Florida. Length -1 foot. Apparently rare in North Carolina, and as yet known only from Tar River near Rocky Mount and Moccasin Swamp of the Neuse River near Goldsboro. 25. AMEIURUS NATALIS (LeSueur). Yellow Oat-fish. Pimelodus natalis LeSueur, Memoirs du Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, v, 154, 1819; North America. Ameiurus natalis, Jordan, 1889b, 127; tributaries of Neuse River near Goldsboro. Evermann & Cox, 1896; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 139, SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 67 Diaenosis.—A variable species; body usually short and stout, sometimes very obese; head short and broad; dorsal and pectoral spines comparatively short; anal rays 24 to 27; adipose fin long. Color: yellow, yellow-brown, green, or black, pale below. (natalis, having large buttock.) This species ranges from the Great Lakes region to Virginia and Texas, and is abundant in many places, but in North Carolina was until recently known only from the upper waters of the Neuse. In June, 1905, and May, 1906, it was found to be common by Mr. C. S. Brimley in a canal connected with Lake Ellis in Craven county; and it doubtless occurs in various other localities in the state. 36. AMEIURUS NEBULOSUS (LeSueur). “Yellow Oat-fish’’; Bullhead; Horned Pout. Pimelodus nebulosus LeSueur, Memoirs du Musée d’Historie Naturelle, v, 149, 1819; Lake Ontario. Ameiurus nebulosus. Jordan, 18896, 125; Tar River near Rocky Mount. . Smith, 1893a, 190, 194, 198; tribu- taries of Albemarle Sound. Jordan & Evermann. 1896, 140. Diacnosis.—Form variable, color ranging from yellowish to black. Example 12.5 inches long from Pasquotank River: Head .28 total length; depth .25 total length; anal base .25 total length, anal rays 22; pectoral spine .4 length of head; above dark green, sides golden yellow, obscurely mottled with green, beneath pale yellow or white. (nebulosus, clouded.) The common bullhead is widely distributed and is one of the most abundant and best known of the cat-fishes. From Maine and the Great Lakes it ranges to Florida and Texas, inhabiting streams, ponds, and lakes. It is doubtless more common in North Carolina than the published records of its capture would indi- cate, for besides the Albemarle region, it is reported only from Tar River. In the western end of Albemarle Sound and in Pasquotank and Roanoke rivers, it is common, but much less numerous than Amewurus catus. It attains a length of 18 inches, but averages much less. The species is omnivorous, although probably preferring fish food. It is fond of the eggs and young of various fishes, and is generally regarded as very destructive in this respect. It often frequents the vicinity of wharves and drains, and feeds on refuse. The breeding habits of the bullhead are probably better known than those of any other cat-fish herein listed. The writer published the following brief account in Science (February 13, 1903), a more detailed description appearing later :* A pair of fish from the Potomac River in the Fish Commission aquarium at Washington made a nest on July 3, 1902, by removing in their mouths upwards of a gallon of gravel from one end of the tank, leaving the slate bottom bare. On July 5 about 2,000 eggs, in four separ- ate agglutinated clusters, were deposited between 10 and 11 a. m. on the scrupulously clean bottom. Ninety-nine per cent hatched in five days in a mean water temperature of 77° F. The young remained on the bottom in dense masses until 6 days old, when they began to swim, at first rising vertically a few inches and immediately falling back. By the end of the seventh day they were swimming actively, and most of them collected in a school just beneath the sur- face, where they remained for two days, afterwards scattering. They first ate finely ground *Breeding habits of the yellow cat-fish. By Hugh M.Smithand L.G. Harron Bulletin U.S. Fish Com- mission 1902, p, 151-154. 68 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. liver on the sixth, and fed ravenously after the eighth day. The fish were 4mm. long when hatched, and grew rapidly, some being 18mm. long on the eleventh day, and at the end of two months their average length was 50mm. Both parents were very zealous in caring for the eggs, keeping them agitated constantly by a gentle fanning motion of the lower fins. The most striking act in the care of the eggs was the sucking of the egg masses into the mouth and the blowing of them out with some force. The fanning and mouthing operations were continued with the fry until they swam freely, when the care of the young may be said to have ceased. During the first few days after hatching, the fry, banked in the corners of the tank, were at irregular intervals actively stirred by the barbels of the parents, usually the male. The pre- daceous feeding habits of the old fish gradually overcame the parental instinct; the tendency to suck the fry into their mouths continued, and the inclination to spit the mout diminished, so that the numbers of young dwindled daily, and the 500 that had been left with their parents had completely disappeared in six weeks, although other food was liberally supplied. The yellow cat-fish is frequently eaten, but its food value is decidedly inferior; and in North Carolina it is not regarded with favor and has little com- mercial importance. 387, AMEIURUS PLATYCEPHALUS (Girard). Mud Oat-fish; Brown Oat-fish. Pimelodus platycephalus Girard, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1859, 161; Ander- son, 8. C. Ameiurus platycephalus, Cope, 1870b, 486; Catawba and Yadkin rivers. Jordan, 1889, 131, 134, 136; Cape Fear (Haw), Yadkin, and Catawbarivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 142, pl. xxvii, fig. 61. Dracnosis.—Form very elongate, the depth .12 to .20 total length; head low, flat, broad, .28 total length; upper jaw longer; dorsal fin high, .66 length of head, rays 1,6; anal base .16 total length, rays 16 to 20; caudal fin emarginate. Color: olive brown, yellowish or greenish above; a dark horizontal bar or shade at dorsal base; palebelow. (platycephalus, broad-headed.) Fig. 18. Brown Cat-risu. Ameturus platycephalus. The range of this species is restricted, embracing only the streams from the Cape Fear to the Chattahoochee. In the streams of the western part of North Carolina, the species is well represented. Dr. Jordan found it excessively abun- dant in branches of Haw River, a tributary of Cape Fear River, in Guilford County; also in Little Yadkin River near Salisbury, in Catawba River near Marion, and in St. Johns River near Morgantown. The maximum length is somewhat over a foot. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 69 An interesting and peculiar fact about this' fish is that it is largely, if not almost exclusively, a vegetable feeder, its intestine being long and usually filled with remains of water plants. Both Cope and Jordan note that it is largely used for food. Genus LEPTOPS Rafinesque. Mud Cat-fishes. This genus contains a single large species, and, in addition to the features given in the key, is characterized by a slender body much depressed anteriorly, very thick skin, long adipose fin, short anal fin, and broad pectoral spine serrated on both edges. (Leptops, slender-faced.) 38. LEPTOPS OLIVARIS (Rafinesque). “*Yellow Cat-fish’’; Mud Cat-fish; Bashaw; Goujon. Silurus olivaris Rafinesque, American Monthly Magazine, 1818, 355; Ohio River. Leptops olivaris, Jordan, 1889b, 151; French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 143, pl. xxvii, fig. 62. Dragnosis.—Depth .16 total length; head very flat, .28 total length; lower jaw projecting; eye very small; dorsal spine weak, short, more or less covered by skin; dorsal rays 1,6; anal short, .16 total body length, rays 12 to 15; adipose fin nearly as long and half as high as anal; caudal nearly straight behind. Color: yellow above with green or brown markings, white below. (olivaris, olive-colored.) Fig. 19. Yr Luow Cat-risH. Leptops olivaris. While this is an abundant species in parts of the Mississippi basin and in the Gulf States, its range barely extends into North Carolina, in the headwaters of the Tennessee. Dr. Jordan found the young not uncommon in channels of French Broad River at Hot Springs and South Fork of Swannanoa River near Black Mountain. The fish is there called “yellow cat”’, and is a food fish of some importance. The species attains a weight of 100 pounds and a length of 5 feet, and has an ugly, coarse appearance. Its flesh, however, is fine and well-flavored, and in Louisiana and other southern states the fish is of considerable economic importance. Genus SCHILBEODES Bleeker. Mad-toms. Small cat-fishes inhabiting creeks and brooks of the eastern states. The pectoral spine, which is often serrated, can inflict a very painful wound; and in the axil of the fin a poison gland discharges through a small orifice. The fish 70 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. are of no economic value. The characters of the genus have been indicated in the foregoing key. The three species known from North Carolina may be dis- tinguished as follows: i. Pectoral spines about half length of head, with posterior serre short, their length not .5 width of spines; vertical fins with broad black CU BEB isis enc cvnuar sw bicaee ym tees insignis. ii. Pectoral spines more than .5 length of head, with recurved posterior serre nearly as long as spines are wide. a. Color nearly plain brownish, with faint blotches; dorsal black at tip; maxillary barbels not reaching gill-opening ...... 00.0.0... eee e cece eee e eee nee dashend. aa. Color light brown, with distinct black saddle-like blotches; fins mottled with black; maxil- lary barbels reaching bo: BIRO PeMIN ge si diesie ei qieme sa eine baie eat eA Gene Ree eae furiosus. (Schilbeodes, like Schilbe, a genus of African cat-fishes.) 39. SC HILBEODE S INSIGNIS (Richardson). Mad-tom. Pimelodus insigne Richardson, Fauna Boreali-Americana, iii, 32, 1836; (type locality not known). Noturus marginatus, Cope, 1870b, 484; Catawba and Yadkin rivers. Noturus insignis, Jordan, 1889b, 125, 127, 131, 134, 136; Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, Yadkin, Catawba rivers. Ever- mann & Cox, 1896, 304; Neuse River. Schilbeodes insignis, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 147, pl. xxviii, fig. 66. Diagnosis.—Form elongate, depth .16 total length; head broad, flat, contained 4.25 times in length; upper jaw projecting; humeral procéss sharp; dorsal fin .25 higher than long, nearer anal than snout; anal rays 14 to 16; pectoral spine .5 length of head, with retrorse teeth on external surface and simple, weak teeth on internal surface. Color: dark mottled brown, fins with broad dark margins. (insignis, distinguished.) This species inhabits streams on the eastern slope of the Alleghany moun- tains from Pennsylvania to South Carolina, and is abundant and widely distrib- uted in North Carolina, having been recorded -from the Tar, Neuse, Yadkin, Catawba, and Cape Fear rivers. It is the largest mad-tom, reaching a length of 1 foot. 40. SOHILBEODES ELEUTHERUS (Jordan.) Mad-tom. Noturus eleutherus Jordan, Annals New York Lyceum Natural History 1877, 371; Big Pigeon River, Tennessee, tributary of French Broad River. Jordan, 1889b, 151; French Broad River at Hot Springs, N. C. Schilbeodes eleuthervs, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 148; French Broad River. Diacnosis.—Head broad, depressed, a little more than .25 total length; lower jaw in- cluded; eye contained 5.5 times in length of head; anal rays 13; pectoral spine stout, .5 length of head or longer, the outer margin with retrorse teeth, the inner edge with 6 to 8 curved hooks Color: brown, with fine dark dots and black blotches on back; dorsal fin black at tip. (eleu- therus, free.) Peculiar to the Mississippi basin, and recorded from North Carolina only in the French Broad River at Hot Springs, where Dr. Jordan obtained one young specimen in 1888. Length, 4 inches. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 71 41. SOHILBEODES FURIOSUS (Jordan & Meek). ““Mad-tom’”’; ‘‘Tabby-cat”’. Noturus furiosus Jordan & Meek, in Jordan, 1889a, 351, pl. xliii; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan, 1889b, 125, 127; Tar and Neuse rivers. : Noturus eleutherus, Jordan & Brayton, 1878; Tar River (not N. eleutherus of Jordan). Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 368; Neuse River at Goldsboro. : Schilbeodes furiosus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 149, pl. xxix, figs. 69, 69a, 69b; eastern North Carolina. Dragnosis.—Depth contained 5.5 times in total length; head contained 3.75 times in length; lower jaw included; dorsal spine less than .5 length of head; pectoral spine very broad and long, contained 1.25 times in length of head, anterior (outer) margin finely serrate, poster- ior margin with 6 to 8 strong recurved hooks; adipose fin large; anal rays 14; caudal fin long and rounded. Color: light brown, with black saddle-like blotches on back and head, and black bars or streaks on dorsal, adipose, caudal, anal, and ventral fins. (furiosus, furious.) Fig. 20. Map-rom. Schilbeodes furiosus. Found only in Tar, Neuse, and Little rivers. Length 4 inches. The pec- toral spines are more strongly developed than in any other species of American cat-fish, and the secretion of the axillary gland is said to be more poisonous than in any other mad-tom. Order PLECTOSPONDYLI. The Carp-like Fishes. This order includes a majority of the fresh-water fishes of the world, and is numerously represented. in the local fauna. The 4 anterior vertebre are united and peculiarly modified, giving rise to a series of small bones (Webberian ossi- cles) which connect the air-bladder with the ear; the opercular bones are well developed; the branchiostegals are few in number; the body is scaled; the dorsal fin is single, and it and the other fins are without true spines. Most of the Ameri- can species belong in a suborder (Eventognathi) in which the jaws are toothless, the inferior pharyngeal bones are falicform, and the upper pharyngeals are 2 in number; the gill-slits are restricted; and the gill-membranes are joined to the isthmus. The 2 families having species in North Carolina are typified by the suckers and minnows, and may be thus distinguished: 7. Maxillaries forming part of the margin of the jaw; pharyngeal teeth numerous and comb- does eee th atea ceed asearepped navanc ganar 2.6:%e fare sales Sra Geman oats Aybasaera Se syete ue a ayaa us genres ed CATOSTOMIDA. tu. Premaxillaries alone forming margin of upper jaw; pharyngeal teeth few....CypRINID&. Family CATOSTOMIDA. The Suckers. Suckers are well represented in North Carolina streams, and are among the best known and most easily recognized of the fresh-water fishes. The body is 72 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. elongate, sometimes much compressed, sometimes nearly cylindrical. The head is usually conical, with mouth inferior, protractile, fleshy-lipped, and without teeth in the jaws. The margin of the upper jaw is formed in part by the maxil- lary bones and in part by the premaxillaries. There are 4 gill-arches; the gill- membranes are joined to the isthmus; the branchiostegals number 3; and pseudo- branchie are present. The lower pharyngeal bones are sickle-shaped and sur- mounted by a single row of coarse teeth. The cycloid scales are either large or small; no scales appear on the head. All the fins are well developed; the dorsal is comparatively long, the anal short, the caudal large and usually forked. The large air-bladder is divided by transverse constrictions. The suckers are medium- sized fishes, normally found only in fresh water, ascending streams and brooks in spring to spawn. Their feeding habits are determined by their peculiar mouth, the pharyngeal teeth acting as grinders. Their food consists of animals (insects and other small aquatic forms) and also mud, which is doubtless ingested for the animal matter it contains; food articles are taken into the mouth by suction. In some species the males in spring acquire red or black pigment on body or fins, and develop tubercles on head, body, and fins. North Carolina has more species of suckers than any other state, and more species described from and peculiar to it than any other state. Most of the suckers peculiar to the state were described by Professor Cope in 1870 from the Allegheny region, and some of them have not been met with since that time. While some of those now recognized as valid will doubtless be excluded when further information regarding them is obtained, in the present state of our knowledge they must be retained as distinct species. While abundant and caught in large numbers in North Carolina, the suckers are of less value commercially than they are for home consumption, especially in the upper courses of the streams, where they furnish a notinsignificant part of the food of the people at times, being the principal food fishes of the upland streams. The quantity of suckers marketed and the price receivéd therefor by the fisher- men are here given for three years: 1890—60,550 pounds, $1,779; 1897— 135,230 pounds, $3,037; 1902—169,350 pounds, $7,874. Key to the North Carolina genera of suckers. t. Air-bladder constricted into 2 parts. a. Lateral line complete and continuous; scales small..............-.2+-. CaTOSTOMUS. aa. Lateral line interrupted or wanting; scales large. b. Lateral line entirely wanting; fish small ....................-0 ee eee ERIMYzon. bb. Lateral line more or less developed; fish larger...............+..-. MINYTREMA. ii. Air-bladder constricted into 3 parts. c. Pharyngeal teeth flattened; mouth moderate or small; lips usually folded. .MoxosToma. ec. Pharyngeal teeth enlarged, cylindrical; mouth large; lips thick...... PLACOPHARYNX. Genus CATOSTOMUS LeSueur. Fine-scaled Suckers. . Common fishes peculiar to the United States, with the exception of one species found in Siberia. The mouth, on the under side of head, has a thick upper lip covered with papille, and a very large lower lip with a broad margin; the small eye is placed rather high on the side of the head; the dorsal SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 73 fin begins in the center of the body, the ventrals are under the dorsal, the anal is short and deep, and the caudal is evenly forked; lateral line distinct, more or less straight. The two species inhabiting North Carolina may be readily distin- guished by the number of scales. (Catostomus, inferior-mouthed.) 42. OCATOSTOMUS COMMERSONII (Lacépéde). ‘‘Sand Sucker’’; Common Sucker; White Sucker. Cyprinus commersonii Lacépede, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, v, 502, 1803; locality not known. Catostomus teres, Cope, 1870b, 468, 495; ‘‘in all the rivers of the state and on both sides of the Allegheny water- shed’. Jordan, 1889b, 136, 151; Catawba and French Broad rivers. Catostomus commersonii, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 178, pl. xxxiv, fig. 83. Bean, 1903, 914; Cane River, tribu- tary of French Broad. Draenosis.—Form rather stout, but little compressed, depth .22 to .25 of total length; head large, conical, about .25 total length in adults; snout projecting but little beyond mouth; mouth large, lips papillose, the papille of upper lip in 2 or 3 rows; scales 64 to 70 in lateral series, 10 above lateral line and 9 below, crowded anteriorly, larger on side than below; dorsal rays 12, second and third rays longest; anal rays 7, third and fourth rays longest. Color: olivaceous above, whitish below; males in spring have a rosy band or stripe along sides; young brownish, mottled, with dark lateral band or blotches. (Named after M. Commerson, an early French traveler.) Fig. 21. Ware Sucker. Catostomus commersonit. This very abundant and well known sucker occurs from New England throughout the Great Lakes to Montana and thence southward to Georgia and Kansas. Dr. Jordan found it common in Catawba River near Marion, and in French Broad and Swannanoa rivers near Asheville. In the French Broad it is known as ‘‘sand sucker” and is a food fish of some importance. Cope lists the species from French Broad, Catawba, Yadkin, and Neuse rivers. Its maxi- mum length is 2 feet and its maximum weight 5 pounds. Insects, small mollusks, worms, and other animals are eaten. Spawning occurs in spring in the headwaters of small streams. It is not infrequently caught on the hook baited with angleworm. 74 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 43. CATOSTOMUS NIGRICANS LeSueur. “Hog Sucker’; Black Sucker; Stone-roller. Catostomus nigricans LeSueur, Journal Academy Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1817, 102; Lake Erie. Cope, 1870b, 468; French Broad River. Jordan, 1889b, 125, 128, 151; Pamlico, Neuse, and tributaries of French Broad River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 181. Bean, 1903, 914; Cane River, tributary of French Broad. Diacnosis.—Form elongate, not compressed, the depth contained 4.5 to 5 times in total length; head about equal to depth of body, flattened above, concave between eyes; eye small, about .33 length of snout and .2 length of head; mouth large, lips well developed and covered with numerous small papille; fins large; dorsal base .66 length of head, its rays 10 or 11; anal rays 7; pectoral longer than dorsal; caudal moderately forked; scales 48 to 55 in lateral series, 12 to 15 in transverse series. Color: brownish above, with blackish blotches (becoming obso- lete with age), sides golden or brassy, below white; lower fins dull red; young irregularly blotched. (nigricans, blackish.) The black sucker has a range almost as wide as the white sucker; it extends from New York to Minnesota, and thence to South Carolina, Arkansas, and Kansas. In North Carolina it is common on both sides of the Alleghanies. In size and habits it resembles the white sucker, although it is more partial to clear, cold water. Its food value is slight. Genus ERIMYZON Jordan. Chub Suckers. Small fish of streams and lakes with a wide distribution east of Rocky Mountains. Body rather short, compressed; lower lip large, v-shaped, with many folds; gill-rakers long; pharyngeal teeth small, slender, compressed; scales rather large, crowded anteriorly; dorsal and anal fins short and high, caudal slightly forked or merely concave. One species, variable. (Hrimyzon, sucker.) 44, ERIMYZON SUCETTA (Lacépéde). “Mullet’’; Chub Sucker. Cyprinus sucetta Lacépéde, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, v, 606, 1803; South Carolina. Moxostoma oblongwm, Cope, 1870b, 468; Neuse River. Erimyzon sucetta, Jordan, 1889b, 128, 132; Neuse and Cape Fear rivers. Smith, 1893a, 194; Edenton Bay. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 304; Neuse River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 185, pl. xxxvi, fig. 89. D1aenosis.—Body oblong, compressed, back elevated, depth .33 total length; head rather short, its length .25 total body length; space between eyes broad; mouth small, pro- tractile; eye .20 to .25 length of head; dorsal fin short, high, the rays 12 to 15 in number; anal rays 7; caudal slightly forked; scales closely overlapping, rather large, 35 to 40 in lateral series, 13 to 15 in transverse series. Color: variable with age and environment; adults light brown above, pale below, usually with pale longitudinal streaks along scales, a bronze or coppery sheen over all; young with black lateral band, becoming broken into blotches and forming transverse bands, these disappearing with age; males in spring with several large tuber- cles on each side of snout. (sucetta, from the French sucet, sucker.) - This handsome and well marked species is abundant in the Great Lakes, the Mississippi Valley, and seaboard streams from Virginia to Texas; a northern variety (oblongus) ranges from Virginia to Maine. The species probably inhabits all the North Carolina streams flowing into the Atlantic, and is known from Albemarle Sound, the Neuse River, and Cape Fear River. It is common in the SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 75 Neuse from Goldsboro upward, and has also been found in the lower Neuse at Kinston, where in 1875 and 1883 J. W. Milner collected specimens now in the National Museum. In June, 1905, Mr. C. S. Brimley obtained several specimens in Lake Ellis, Craven County; these are now in the State Museum at Raleigh. It has no distinctive name in North Carolina, and is called simply “mullet”. The maximum length is about 10 inches. Fig. 22. Cavs Sucker. Hrimyzon sucetta. Genus MINYTREMA Jordan. Spotted Suckers, Intermediate between Erimyzon and Moxostoma; form elongate; mouth inferior, horizontal, upper lip large, lower lip small, v- shaped, with folds; gill- rakers long; scales large; lateral line absent in young, interrupted in adult; dorsal and anal fins short and high, caudal slightly forked. One species, of moderate size. (Minytrema, reduced aperture, in allusion to imperfect lateral line.) 45. MINYTREMA MELANOPS (Rafinesque). “Black Winter Sucker’; Spotted Sucker; Winter Sucker. Catostomus melanops Rafinesque, Ichthyologia Ohiensis, 57,1820; Ohio River. Minytrema melanops, Jordan, 1889b, 132; Haw River, tributary of Cape Fear River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 187, pl. xxxvi, fig 90. Dracenosis.—Depth about .25 length, greater in adults than in young; head rather less than .33 total length; eye small, .16 to .20 length of head; dorsal rays 12, anal rays 7; scales large,-44 to 48 in lengthwise series, 12 to 14 in crosswise series. Color: dusky above, pale below with brassy luster; a black spot at base of each scale along sides of body forming dis- tinct lines; a black spot on back behind dorsal fin; old males in spring with tubercles on head. (melanops, having a black appearance.) _ While this sucker has a wide range, extending from the Great Lakes to Texas, it is a rare species in North Carolina. It is known from Reedy Fork of Haw River, a tributary of Cape Fear River, at a point 11 miles northeast of Greensboro, where two specimens were obtained by Dr. Jordan in 1888 and 76 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. where the fish is called ‘‘black winter sucker”. The U.S. National Museum has four specimens from Neuse River at Kinston, collected by J. W. Milner in 1875, and another from Cape Fear River collected by Marshall McDonald in 1880. The fish reaches a length of 18 inches. yy poe MOSER Le oe Fig. 23. Srorrep Sucker. Minytrema melanoyps. Genus MOXOSTOMA Rafinesque. Red-horses. A numerous genus of large-sized suckers found all over the United States east of Rocky Mountains. The elongate body is more or less compressed and the back elevated; size of head, mouth, and eye variable; lips well developed, with transverse folds; gill-rakers long and weak; scales large; dorsal fin rather long and high, in about ntiddle of body; anal fin short and high; caudal large and well forked. The genus is more numerously represented in North Carolina than in any other state, and some of the nominal species are difficult to distinguish and are perhaps not distinct. Following are some of the characters by which the species may be separated, according to Cope and Jordan & Evermann: Key to the North Carolina species of red-horses. t. Labial folds broken up into conspicuous papille; mouth very small; snout projecting; dorsal rays: L210: V4 seis asics e's ais eahiges Haas Sky Rese wees sake ase Gare peek eee papillosum. ti. Labial folds not broken up into distinct papille. a. Dorsal fin long, with 15 to 18 rays; lower lip v-shaped; mouth quite small. . .collapsum. aa. Dorsal fin shorter, with 10 to 14 or 15 rays. b. Lower lip narrow, infolded, v-shaped, with distinct median crease in which the halves meet at an acute angle. , c. Body elongate, subcylindrical, little compressed; snout truncate ...... pidiense. ce. Body compressed, back elevated, muzzle projecting beyond very small mouth. coreaonus. bb. Lower lip thin, forming a narrow, crescent-shaped border around mandible. d. Head small, .20 total length; snout prominent; dorsal rays 12 to 14....album. dd. Head larger, .25 total length; snout not projecting; dorsal rays 14 or 15. ° - thalassinum. bbb. Lower lip full, truncate behind, not distinctly v-shaped or u-shaped. ce. Dorsal fin moderate, rays usually 13 (12 to 14); body more or less compressed. j. Lobes of caudal fin approximately the same length. g. Dorsal fin with free margin nearly straight; lower fins always red in life. h. Body elongate, back little elevated ......... 0... e cece eens aureolum. hh. Body stout, back much elevated ...............0 cece eee eee robustum, gg. Dorsal fin with free margin concave; lower fins pale. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. T7 i. Head moderate; back not elevated ............0000e 0 eens macrolepidotum. ti. Head very short and blunt; back elevated ............0.000005 crassilabre. ff. Upper lobe of caudal fin more or less produced and falcate; head short; snout much projecting; mouth small; first dorsal rays produced ............----+5 conus. ee. Dorsal fin short, rays 10 to 12; body elongate, subcylindrical or slightly compressed. j. Scales 50 in lateral series, 18 before dorsal fin; color plain brownish, tips of dorsal and Caudal fins CUskys. oss acieaas sgreand mine equeuienee domienes aaa ee rupiscartes. jj. Scales 43 in lateral series, 15 before dorsal fin; series of streaks along sides, tips of dorsal and caudal fins black........... ccc cece cece eee teen eee cervinum. (M oxostoma, sucking-mouth.) 46. MOXOSTOMA PAPILLOSUM (Cope). ‘“‘Red-horse’’; ‘‘Shiner’’; White Mullet. Ptychostomus papillosus Cope, 18700, 470; Catawba and Yadkin rivers. Jordan, 1878, 134; North Carolina. Moxostoma papillosum, Jordan, 1889b, 125, 128, 131, 136; Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, and Catawba rivers. Ever- mann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 189. Draenosis.—Body deeper than thick, dorsal outline not elevated, depth contained 4 to 4.5 times in total length; head elongate, not more than .25 total length; muzzle truncate in profile, the upper lip hanging free, the lower deeply incised behind so as to be v-shaped; both lips finely granular, not plicate; top of head flat; scales large, 42 in lengthwise series, 6+ 5 in crosswise series; dorsal rays 12. Color: silvery white, except some blackish shades at the bases of the scales of the dorsal region; fins in life pure white. (papillosum, full of papillz.) This sucker, which is one of the commonest species found in North Carolina, ranges from the Dismal Swamp to Cape Fear River, and thence to Georgia. Dr. Jordan reported it ascommon in Tar Rivernear Rocky Mount; in Neuse River near Raleigh; in Little River near Goldsboro; in Haw River near Greensboro; and in Catawba River at Morgantown. Specimens from Neuse River at Kinston, collected by J. W. Milner, are in the U. S. National Museum. According to Cope, in 1869 this species was quite abundant in the Catawba and Yadkin rivers, and was highly valued bythe inhabitants as an article of food, being regarded as the best of the suckers. It was less frequently caught on a hook than some other species, but in autumn it ran into the weirs in considerable numbers. The fishermen of that section called it “shiner”. The largest speci- mens Cope found were only 1 foot long and weighed a pound; Jordan, however, collected examples 18 inches long and weighing upwards of 3 pounds. 47. MOXOSTOMA COLLAPSUM (Cope). “Sucking Mullet’’; Small-mouthed Red-horse. Ptychostomus collapsus Cope, 1870b, 471; Neuse, Yadkin and Catawba rivers. ?Catostomus anisurus Rafinesque, Ichthyologia Ohiensis, 54, 1820; Ohio River. Myxostoma velatum, Jordan, 1878, 132; Neuse, Yadkin, and Catawba rivers (after Cope). Mozostoma anisurum, Smith, 1893a, 198; Roanoke River. Moxostoma collapsum, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 190. Dracnosis.—Body rather stout, compressed, back elevated, the depth contained 3.33 times in total length; head short, small, conic, broad and flat above, its length .25 of total length; mouth small, lips plicate, muzzle truncate and overhanging the mouth; eye in middle of side of head, .25 length of head, twice length of snout, and .66 width of interorbital space; dorsal fin long, free edge straight, its base .83 length of head, rays 15: caudal lobes subequal; 78 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. scales 42 in longitudinal series, 11 in transverse series. Color: silvery, dusky above, whitish below; dorsal and caudal membranes blackish, other fins pale; ‘‘inferior fins all orange” (Cope). (collapsum, flattened sidewise.) This species is found only in the lowland streams in North Carolina. Cope’s type specimens were only a foot long, but he saw specimens from Catawba River of 3 and 4 pounds weight. He reported it as immensely numerous, and as caught in weir traps in spring‘and autumn; as a food fish it is inferior to Moz- ostoma papillosum, “but it is not at all to be rejected”’. This appears to be the species of which numerous specimens were observed by the writer at the seining beaches in Roanoke River near Plymouth in April, 1892. The largest examples seen were 10 inches long. From Mozostoma crassilabre, which was abundant at the same time and place, it was easily distinguishable by the absence of dark spots at the bases of scales, by the straight margin of the dorsal fin, etc. This fish is possibly identical with Mozxostoma anisurum (Rafinesque) from the Ohio valley and Great Lakes. 48. MOXOSTOMA PIDIENSE (Cope). Sucker. : Ptychostomus pidiensis Cope, 1870b, 471; Yadkin River. Mozxostoma pidiense, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 191. Dracnosis.—Form cylindric, little compressed; head long, contained 4.5 times in total length; muzzle truncate; eye small; dorsal rays 12. Color: light brownish yellow, fins light red. (pidiense, inhabiting the Pedee.) This species is named after the Pedee River, of which the Yadkin is a tribu- tary, and is known only from that stream. It is a small, rare species (10 inches long), and is known only from Cope’s description of a few specimens he obtained from traps. . 49. MOXOSTOMA COREGONUS (Cope). “Blue Mullet’’- Ptychostomus coregonus Cope, 1870b, 472; Catawba and Yadkin rivers. Mozxostoma coregonus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 191. ; Draenosis.—Body fusiform, back arched; head very small, .20 total length; muzzle regularly conic, projecting far beyond mouth; mouth very small, but little protractile; eye large, .25 to .33 length of head; dorsal rays 14. Color: silvery, scales shaded with leaden above and with black pigment at their bases, giving a dusky hue to whole; belly and inferior fins pure white. (coregonus, the white-fish, in allusion to the shape.) Cope found this fish very abundant in Catawba and Yadkin rivers, never exceeding a foot in-length; it was caught with Mozostoma collapsum and pidiense and used for food, but it was the least valued of all the species. At Morganton it was known as the “blue mullet”. The species does not appear to have been recorded since Cope’s time, although it is a strongly marked fish, “easily distin- guishable by its very small head, with conic muzzle, elevated arched back, minute inferior mouth, combined with small size”. \ SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 79 50. MOXOSTOMA ALBUM (Cope). “White Mullet’’. Ptychostomus albus Cope, 1870b, 472; Catawba River. Myzxostoma album, Jordan, 1878, 130; Kinston (Neuse River). Moxostoma album, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 191. Diacnosis.—Form elliptical, somewhat compressed, back slightly elevated, depth con- tained about 3.3 times in total length; head small, short, broad, .20 length; muzzle prominent but less so than in M. collapsum; mouth moderate, lower lip a narrow crescent following the edge of the mandible, not folding in median line; dorsal fin high, rays 12 to 14; caudal deeply forked. Color: very pale, lower fins white. (album, white.) Cope’s note regarding this fish is: ‘‘In size this species is one of the largest, reaching 4 pounds and over. It is much valued by the people living in the neighborhood of the Catawba River, North Carolina, as an article of food. They call it the ‘white mullet’. I have not seen it in the Yadkin or any other river”’ The U. S. National Museum has specimens from the Neuse River at Kinston col- lected by J. W. Milner and from unknown localities in North Carolina obtained by Dr. G. B. Goode in the Washington (D. C.) market. This may be the species called ‘‘white-fish” by Lawson (1709) and thus referred to by him: The white-fish are very large; some being two foot anda half long and more. They are found a great way up in the freshes of the rivers; and are firm meat, and an extra- ordinary well-relish’d fish. 51. MOXOSTOMA THALASSINUM (Cope). Sucker. Ptychostomus thalassinus Cope, 1870b, 472; Yadkin River. Moxostoma thalassinum, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 191. Dracnosis.—Similar to Moxostoma collapsum, but differing in shape of lower lip, which is narrowly crescentric; fusiform, back elevated; head elongate, flat above, .25 total length; muzzle not very prominent, mouth small; dorsal rays 14 or 15. Color: sea green above, white below: fins white. (thalassinum, sea green.) This is one of the largest suckers, exceeding 5 pounds in weight, according to Cope. It was reported to be ehunusny | in the aan and used for food, but nothing further is known about it. 52. MOXOSTOMA AUREOLUM (LeSueur). ‘‘Red-horse”’; ‘‘White Sucker’’. Catostomus aureolus LeSueur, Journal Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, i, 95, 1817; Lake Erie. Ptychostomus erythurus, Cope, 1870b, 474; French Broad River (Tennessee). Mozostoma duquesneti, Jordan, 1889b, 150, 151; French Broad River. Mozxostoma aureolum, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 192. Dracnosis.—Form stout or moderately elongate; head long, blunt, broad and flat above, .20 to .25 total length; mouth large, lips full; snout blunt, projecting; eye large; dorsal rays 12 to 14, free ‘edge nearly straight, longest ray shorter than head; scales large, 45 in lateral series. Color: gray, greenish or rosy above, sides silvery, fins orange in adults. (aureolum, golden.) An abundant species, ranging from Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan south to Arkansas, Georgia, and North Carolina. In North Carolina this sucker occurs 80 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. only in those streams tributary to the Ohio. Jordan found the young not rare in French Broad River and Spring Creek at Hot Springs. It is a food fish of that section, under the name of ‘‘white sucker”. Cope noticed it in French Broad River in Tennessee, where examples weighing 12 pounds were reported. 53. MOXOSTOMA ROBUSTUM (Cope). *“Red-horse’’. Ptychostomus robustus Cope, 1870b, 473; Yadkin River. Mozxostoma robustum, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 193. Draenosis.—Form very short and stout, compressed, the back elevated; head short, deep, contained 4 or 4.5 times in total length; muzzle not prominent, truncate; lower lip very large and full, entirely covering space between rami of jaw; eye .20 to .25 length of head; dorsal fin short, free margin straight, rays 12. Color: smoky or clouded above, mingled with golden reflections, sides similar; yellowish below; dorsal, caudal and anal fins dark crimson. (robus- tum, robust.) No one seems to have recorded the capture of this species except Cope. He found it only in the Yadkin, and reported it to be highly valued for the table by people living along the river. It was taken in spring-nets and weirs. The weight attained is 6 pounds or more. This species is perhaps identical with Mozxostoma aureolum. 54. MOXOSTOMA MACROLEPIDOTUM (LeSueur). Red-horse. Catostomus macrolepidotus LeSueur, Journal Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, i, 94, 1817; Delaware River. Ptychostomus lachrymalis, Cope, 1870b, 474; Neuse River at New Bern. Moxostoma macrolepidotum, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 193. Diacnosis.—Body compressed, back gently arched, the depth more than .25 length; head stout, of moderate length; mouth large, lips large and thick, inferior lip with concave posterior margin; eye about .5 width of interorbital space and .6 length of snout; dorsal margin slightly concave, the rays 12 or 13; 44 to 46 scales in lateral series. Color: dull reddish-brown, scales dusky at base, fins pale. (macrolepidotum, large-scaled.) _ @ Inhabits lowland streams from New Jersey to North Carolina. Jordan & Evermann regard Cope’s Ptychostomus lachrymalis from the Neuse at New Bern as being the same as this species. It grows to a length of 18 inches. 55. MOXOSTOMA CRASSILABRE (Cope). ‘‘Red-horse’’; ‘‘Red-horse Mullet’”’; ‘‘Sucker Mullet’’; ‘‘Trout Sucker’; ‘‘Golden Mullet’’; ‘‘Golden-finned Mullet’’; ‘‘Horse-fish’”’; ‘‘Redfin”; ‘‘Mullet”’. Ptychostomus crassilabris Cope, 1870b, 477; Neuse River near Raleigh. Mozostoma crassilabre, Jordan, 1889b, 128; Little River at Goldsboro. Smith, 1893a, 194, 198; Edenton Bay and Roanoke River at Plymouth and Weldon. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 194. Draenosis.—Body compressed, back ‘elevated, depth contained 3.5 times in length; head very small, broad above, .20 total length; snout blunt, overhanging the mouth; mouth of moderate size, the lower lip truncate behind and finely papillose; eye contained 4.5 times in length of head, 2.33 times in interorbital space and 1.5 times in snout; dorsal fin with free SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 81 border deeply incised, rays 12 or 13, longest ray longer than head and base of fin; caudal lobes equal; scales 45 in lateral series, 10 or 11 in transverse series. Color: generally pale yellowish- red, dusky above, lighter beneath, with silvery reflections; each scale above the lateral line with a black spot at base of exposed part; lower fins pale orange or red, dorsal membrane black. (Description of 15-inch specimen from Edenton Bay, April, 1902.) (crassilabre, thick-lipped.) Since Cope described this species from Neuse River near Raleigh, it had not been met with until 1888, when Jordan found one specimen in Little River, a tributary of the Neuse, at Goldsboro. In 1892 the writer observed it in Edenton Bay and Roanoke River. It is abundant in the Albemarle region, and the larger fish have considerable market value. It is caught in spring, in seines and pound nets, with shad and alewives, and appears to be ascending the rivers with those species. Fish from 8 to 20 inches long were observed. All of the common names before given were heard by the writer. ‘‘ Golden mullet” and “‘golden-finned mullet” are trade names in use at Edenton, Eliza- beth City, and other places on the sound. The smaller fish, with plain colors, are called ‘sucking mullet” and ‘trout sucker”. At Plymouth the name “‘red- horse” is applied to the largest fish. The names “mullet”, ‘“redfin”, and ‘“horse-fish”’, heard at Weldon, are doubtless given also to other suckers. 56.EMOXOSTOMA CONUS (Cope). Sucker. Ptychostomus conus Cope, 1870b, 478; Yadkin River. Moxostoma conus, Jordan, 1889b, 128; Little River at Goldsboro. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 196. D1acnosis.—Body much compressed, the back elevated; head small, conic; eye large; mouth exceedingly small, lower lip truncate behind; snout conic, much produced; dorsal rays 14. Color: smoky above, the scales with black bases; below white; dorsal fin dusky, inferior fins white. (conus, cone, in allusion to shape of snout.) Cope found this species numerous in Yadkin River, where it was taken in large numbers with other suckers. Jordan took a single young specimen in Little River. 57. MOXOSTOMA RUPISCARTES Jordan & Jenkins. “Jumping Mullet’; Jump-rocks. Ptychostomus cervinus Cope, 1870b, 478 (in part); Catawba River. Moxostoma rupiscartes Jordan & Jenkins, in Jordan, 1889a, 353; Catawba River and Bucks Creek, North Car- olina; also various rivers in South Carolina and Georgia. Jordan, 1889b, 137; Catawba River near Marion, Johns River near Morgantown, and Bucks Creek at Pleasant Garden. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 196, pl. xxxvii, fig. 93. Dracnosis.—Body long and low, depth contained 5.5 to 6 times in length; head very short, broad, flat above, a little more than .2 length; snout blunt, projecting beyond mouth; lips full, the folds somewhat broken into papille; scales rather small, 50 in lateral series; dorsal fin low and small, free margin concave, rays 11, first ray .66 length of head; caudal short, lunate, lobes blunt; pectorals long; anal rays 8. Color: dark olive brown, becoming paler below; young with pale lateral streaks; a faint dark spot above pectoral; tips of dorsal and caudal dusky. (rupiscartes, rock-jumper.) 82 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. This species is abundant in the large tributaries of the Santee and extends its range as far as the Chattahoochee. It attains a large size, and is most com- mon about rocks and in rapids. It appears to have been confounded with Moxostoma cervinum. Under the latter name Cope refers to this fish in the Catawba, stating that it does not exceed a foot in length, is but little valued as food, and is called by the fisherman “jumping mullet”’ because of its peculiar habit of leaping from the water. Jordan heard the name “jump-rocks” in Georgia. Fig. 24. Sucker; Jump-rocxs. Mozostoma rupiscartes. 58. MOXOSTOMA CERVINUM (Cope). Red-horse. Teretulus cervinus Cope, Journal Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1868, 236, pl. 24, fig. 3; Roanoke and James rivers, Virginia. Ptychostomus cervinus, Cope, 1870b, 478; Roanoke River, North Carolina and Virginia. Mozostoma cervinum, Jordan, 1889b, 125, 129; Tar and Neuse rivers. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 197. Diacnosis.—Form elongate, cylindrical; head very short, .2 total length; mouth large, lips thick, strongly plicate; eye small; fins very small, dorsal rays 10 to 12, free margin straight, longest ray less than head; scales, 43 in lengthwise series, 11 in crosswise series. Color: yellowish brown or greenish brown above (‘‘emerald green after death”, Cope), a pale blotch on each scale forming lengthwise streaks; back often marked by dark transverse shades or blotches; fins brownish or slightly reddish, dorsal and caudal with inky black tips. (cervinum, fawn-colored.) This species is known only from Roanoke, Tar, and Neuse rivers. Cope attributed the species to Catawba River, but according to Jordan the Catawba fish is Mozxostoma rupiscartes. The species is reported as common in Tar and Neuse rivers. Its size is small, probably never more than a foot in length and often not exceeding 4 to 6 inches. Genus PLACOPHARYNX Cope. Big-jawed Suckers. Similar to Moxostoma but with the pharyngeal bones much larger and stouter and with teeth less numerous and larger, those on lower part of bones from 6 to 10 in number, cylindrical, and with a broad grinding surface. Mouth large, oblique; lips thick. One species, of large size. (Placopharynz, broad- throated.) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 83 59. PLACOPHARYNX DUQUESNII (LeSueur). ‘“‘Red-horse’’. Catostomus duquesnii LeSueur, Journal Academy Natural Sciences Philadelphia, i, 105, 1817; Ohio River. Placopharynz carinatus, Jordan, 1878, 108; French Broad River. Jordan, 1889b, 151; French Broad River. Placopharynz duquesnii, Jordan & Everman, 1896, 198, pl. xxxiii, fig. 82. Diaenosis.—Form rather short, somewhat compressed, the depth of body more than .25 total length; head large, broad, flat, .25 total length; eye small, posterior to middle of side of head; mouth large, upper jaw oblique, the plicated lips protractile forward and downward; dorsal rays 12 or 13, the free edge concave; upper caudal lobe longer and narrower than lower; scales 45 in lengthwise series, 12 in crosswise series. Color: dark green above, sides brassy; lower fins and caudal orange red. (Named after Ft. Duquesne, now Pittsburg.) This sucker ranges from the Great Lakes region to Arkansas and North Carolina. In the latter state it inhabits only the French Broad and tributaries. Jordan (1878) states that he collected numerous large specimens in the French Broad River, at Wolf Creek and other localities in North Carolina, where it is the most abundant member of the family, known to all fishermen as the ‘“red- horse”. He also records (18890) that ‘large numbers run in the French Broad in June”. The fish reaches a length of 2.5 feet. Family CYPRINIDA. The Minnows and Carps. This very numerous and important family contains many well known fresh- water fishes, although only a few are of sufficient size to make them of economic value. In North Carolina, as in most other parts of the country, these fishes are almost invariably represented in the catch of youthful anglers. They are for the most part defenceless, harmless species, and their principal value is as food for other fishes. Following are the leading anatomical characters of the family as represented in North America: Body more or less elongate, compressed or rounded; margin of the upper jaw formed only by the premaxillary bones; lower pharyngeal bones supporting 1 to 3 series of teeth, which are few in number and may differ in number on the two sides; body scaly, head naked; barbels usually absent, but if present small and 2 or 4in number; gills 4 in number, gill-membranes joined to the isthmus; pseudobranchie present; branchiostegals 3 in number; dorsal fin short; ventral fins abdominal; air-bladder comparatively large; stomach a simple dilatation of intestine, without appendages; coloration mostly plain. In breeding season the males of some species develop peculiarities, such as tubercles on head and body and pigmentation of fins and body, the pigment usually red but sometimes glistening white, yellow, or black. All of our species are oviparous. Some forms subsist on vegetable matter, some on animal matéer, and a few are predaceous. This family includes a number of foreign fishes (the carp, the gold-fish, the tench, and the golden ide or orf) which have been introduced into American waters; some have become wild, while others are as yet found chiefly in aquaria, fountains, and private ponds. Many of the genera and species of minnows are very similar, so that their identification is frequently difficult; this is especially the case with the small forms 84 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. belonging in the genus Notropis. The number of scales and the number and arrangement of the pharyngeal teeth are important diagnostic characters. The pharyngeal bones in the smaller species can be removed by inserting a pin (or, better, a small hook) though the gill opening under the shoulder girdle. The teeth should be care- fully cleaned with a tooth-brush, or, better, a jet of water, and when dry may be examined by any small lens. In most cases a prigcipal row of 4 or 5 larger teeth will be found, in front of which is a set of 1 or 2 smaller ones. The two sides are usually, but not always, symmetri- cal. Thus, “teeth 2,4—5,1” indicates two rows of teeth on each side, on the one side 4 in the principal row and 2 in the lesser; on the other side 5 in the main row and 1 in the other. ‘‘Teeth 4—4” indicates a single row of 4 on each pharynegeal bone, and soon. (Jordan & Evermann.) This family is represented in North Carolina by 9 genera and 36 species, having more members in this state than any other family. The following key to the genera must be used in conjunction with the full generic descriptions, which come in their proper order. __ Key to the North Carolina genera of minnows and carps.* t. Intestine very long, convoluted, and surrounding the air-bladder; peritoneum black; teeth A401 Ak nase Gyn ec een inte RSs bo wing aoe a isas Ws Seales wake AE TE CAMPOSTOMA. ti. Air-bladder not wrapped in folds of intestine. a. Alimentary canal long, 3 to 10 times length of body; peritoneum black; teeth 4—4 with well-developed grinding surface.......... 0... c cece eee eee HYBOoGNATHUS. aa. Alimentary canal short, less than twice length of body; peritoneum pale; teeth in 1 or 2 rows, slender, hooked. ‘ b. Teeth in main row 5—5 or 4—5. c. Median line of abdomen behind ventral fins rounded, scales passing over it; anal base short. d. A small barbel on maxillary ......... 0... c cece eee eee ene SEMOTILUS. dd. No barbel on maxillary ......... 0... c ese e cette eens Levciscus. cc. Median line of abdomen behind ventral fins compressed to a sharp edge over which scales do not extend; anal base elongate. bb. Teeth in main row 4—4, lesser row often lacking. e. Maxillary without barbels. f. Teeth 4—4, 1,4—4,1,°1,4—-4,0, or 2,4—4,2; lower jaw with lip thin. Norroris. jj. Teeth 4—4, lower jaw with lip developed as a fleshy lobe on each side. PHENACOBIUS. ee. Maxillary with 1-or 2 small barbels near extremity. g- Premaxillary bones not protractile, joined to forehead by a broad frenum; teeth 2,4—4,2; scales small; dorsal fin posterior. ; Ra#INICHTHYS. gg. Premaxillaries protractile; teeth 4—4, or 1,4—4,1, or 1,4—4,0; scales large; dorsal fin medium............. gS Taste te east be ay sions ateneeations Hysopsis. Genus CAMPOSTOMA Agassiz. Stone-rollers. Small American fishes, vegetable feeders, unique in having the very long intestine coiled many times around the suspended air-bladder. Teeth 4—4 or 1,4—4,0, with a grinding surface, 1 or 2 teeth having a slight hook; fins small, dorsal inserted over ventrals, anal short. The common name is in allusion to the habit of turning and rolling small stones, probably to feed on the attached alge. Several species, of which one is common over a large part of eastern and central sections. (Campostoma, curve-mouthed.) * The introduced carp has become so generally distributed and firmly established that it may properly be listed among fishes of the state, and it will be considered on page 105, after the native species of this family. The genus (Cyprinus) is characterized by a long dorsal fin, a strong serrated spine at the beginning ®f the dorsal and anal fins, 4 long barbels, and molar pharyngeal teeth of the formula 1, 1, 3 on each side. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 85 60. CAMPOSTOMA ANOMALUM (Rafinesque). Stone-roller, Stone-lugger. , Rutilus anomalus Rafinesque, Ichthyologia Ohiensis, 52, 1820; Licking River, Kentucky, Campostoma anomalum, Cope, 1870b, 466; French Broad and Catawba rivers, Jordan, 18896, 137, 152; Catawba River and tributaries, and French Broad River and tributaries. Bean, 1903, 914; Cane River, tributary of French Broad River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 205, pl. xxxix, fig. 95. Diacnosis.—Body rather stout, somewhat compressed, the greatest depth contained 4 to 4.5 times in total length; length of head rather less than .25 total length; snout obtuse, twice length of eye; maxilla does not extend as far as eye; dorsal rays 8; anal rays 7 or 8; scales 49 to 55 in lateral series, 15 or 16 in transverse series; teeth 4—4 or 1,4—4,0. Color: brown above with brassy luster, pale below, scales mottled with black; a dark vertical bar behind opercle; a dusky median crossbar on dorsal and anal fins, these fins olivaceous in female; the male in spring develops large rounded tubercles on head and sometimes over whole body, and the dorsal and anal take on a fiery red color. (anomalum, extraordinary.) This interesting species ranges from New York to Wyoming and Texas, and in North Carolina occurs on both sides of the Alleghenies, in French Broad and Santee valleys. It has been found to be common in Catawba River near Marion, in Bucks Creek at Pleasant Garden, and in Johns River near Morgan- town. In the basin of French Broad River, it has been reported as common in Spring Creek at Hot Springs, in Swannanoa River near Asheville, and in south fork of Swannanoa at Black Mountain station. The stone-roller does not exceed 8 inches in length, and has no value as food forman. It feeds on plants, chiefly alge, for which its extremely long intestine is adapted. Genus HYBOGNATHUS Agassiz. Shiners; Gudgeons. Small herbivorous fishes of silvery color, abundant in fresh water in eastern and central states and Mexico; species numerous. Form elongate, compressed; mouth nearly horizontal; teeth 4—4, with oblique grinding surface; intestine long, 3 to 10 times length of body; scales large, deciduous; lateral line complete; fins small. One species found in North Carolina. (Hybognathus, swell-jawed.) 61. HYBOGNATHUS NUCHALIS Agassiz. “Ohoby’’; ‘‘Shiner’’; ‘‘Gudgeon’’; ‘‘Roach’’; Silvery Minnow; Smelt. Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz, American Journal of Sciences and Arts, 1855, 224; Quincy, Illinois. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 368; Neuse River at Goldsboro. Jordan, 1889b, 125, 127, 132, 134, 137; Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, Yadkin, and Catawba rivers. Smith, 1893a, 190, 194, 199; Albemarle Sound and tributaries. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River at Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 213. ? Hybognathus argyritis, Cope, 1870b, 466; Catawba River. Diacnosis.—Form rather slender, compressed, width only half depth, depth contained 4 to 4.3 times in total length; head rather short, tapering, its length rather less than .25 total length; upper jaw heavy, lower jaw thin and shorter than upper, mouth small, angles not extending as far back as eyes; eye rather longer than snout; lateral line anteriorly decurved; scales large, 37 to 45 in lateral series, 9 in transverse series, 13 to 15 before dorsal fin ; teeth 4—4, comparatively long, scarcely hooked; dorsal fin over ventrals, rays 7 or 8 (+2 rudiments); anal fin with 7 or 8 rays (+ 2 rudiments); caudal deeply forked; intestine 7 to 10 times length of body. Color: olivaceous, translucent, sides silvery, fins plain. (nuchalis, relating to nape.) 86 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. This minnow inhabits clear streams from New Jersey to Missouri and Texas, and is abundant in most localities. In Pasquotank River in April, 1902, the present writer found this species numerous, probably surpassing. in abundance any other fish of the family; it was also common in Albemarle Sound near Eden- ton and in Roanoke River near Plymouth. The maximum length is 6 to 7 inches, but the average is only 4 inches. The fish feeds largely on minute water plants and the intestine is often enormously distended with vegetable matter. It freely takes the hook baited with angle-worm and is often caught for food. It is important as food for other fishes, and is a desirable bait for black bass and perch. . Genus SEMOTILUS Rafinesque. Horned Dace; Fall-fishes. Large minnows with rather robust form, large head, wide terminal mouth, protractile upper jaw, a small barbel at posterior extremity of each maxillary, short alimentary canal, complete lateral line, teeth 2,4—5,2, without grinding surface. Two species, one of which inhabits North Carolina waters. (Semo- tilus, spotted banner or fin.) 62. SEMOTILUS ATROMACULATUS (Mitchill). Horned Dace; Dace; Chub. Cyprinus atromaculatus Mitchill, American Monthly Magazine, ii, 1818, 324; Wallkill River. Semotilus corporalis, Cope, 1870b, 457; French Broad, Catawba, Yadkin, Deep, and Neuse rivers. Semotilus atromaculatus, Jordan 1889b, 125, 131; Tar and Cape Fear rivers. Smith, 1893a, 199; Roanoke River at Weldon. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 222, pl. xl, fig. 100. . Fig. 25. Hornep Dace. Semotilus atromaculatus. Dracnosis.—Body rather elongate, back slightly elevated, the highest point being in front of dorsal fin; depth .25 length; head very large, broad, more than .25 length; snout broad, mouth wide, oblique, maxillary extending to pupil; barbel small, hardly visible in young fish; teeth 2,5—4,2; eye small, .2 length of head; scales 48 to 55 in lengthwise series, about 15 in crosswise series; lateral line abruptly decurved over pectorals, thence straight to tail; dorsal rays 7, anal rays 8. Color: dull bluish above, white or creamy on sides and belly; a black or dusky lateral band, most distinct in young and disappearing in large fish; a black spot always at anterior lower angle of dorsal fin, this spot edged with red in males; fins plain, the anal, ventral, and pectoral bases sometimes pinkish, and caudal yellowish; males in spring with rosy sides and coarse tubercles on snout (whence the common name of horned dace.) (atromac- ulatus, black-spotted.) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 87 The typical form of this species isfound from Maine to Wyoming and from Canada to Missouri. Some North Carolina specimens are referable to the variety thoreauianus of Jordan, which ranges from North Carolina to Alabama and is distinguished by a rather stouter body, larger scales, less distinct spot on dor- sal fin, etc.; other examples are intermediate. The fish is widely distributed in the state, being known from the Roanoke to the Cape Fear, chiefly in brooks. It is the largest of the native cyprinoids in the state, and is often the largest fish in a creek or brook; the usual length is under a foot, but it attains a con- siderably larger size, and specimens have been taken weighing 4 pounds. It is a fair food fish, although very bony, and is often caught with hook and line. It feeds on worms, mollusks, small fish, and other animal food. Genus LEUCISCUS Cuvier. Dace. An old-world genus with numerous American representatives, small fresh- water species found in all parts of the country. Form oblong, compressed or rounded; mouth large, terminal; teeth 2,5—4,2, 1,5—4,2, or 1,4—4,1, hooked, with or without a narrow grinding surface; lateral line decurved, more or less complete; scales of small or medium size; dorsal fin placed posteriorly; anal short or long; intestinal canal short; color varying, males often brilliant. One species found in North Carolina. (Leuciscus, ancient name for the European. dace, from leucus, white.) 68, LEUCISCUS VANDOISULUS Cuvier & Valenciennes. Dace. Leuciscus vandoisulus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, xvii, 317, 1844; South Carolina. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 239. Clinostomus carolinus Girard, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1856, 212; Yadkin River, Salem, N.C. Clinostomus affinis, Cope, 1870b, 494; Catawba and Yadkin rivers. Squalius vandoisulus, Jordan, 1889b, 1388; Bucks Creek, tributary of Catawba River. Diaenosis.—Body elongate, deep, compressed, depth contained 4.33 times in length; head large, more than :25 total length; mouth large, oblique, lower jaw projecting, maxillary extending as far back as pupil; eye contained 3.5 times in length of head; teeth 2,5—5,2 or 2,5—4,2; lateral line complete; scales 48 to 55 in lateral series; dorsal rays 9, anal rays 8. Color: bluish green above, some scales darker; a dark lateral band, above which is a pale streak; males in spring with body bright rose-red. Length, 5 inches. (vandoisulus, from vandoise, French name for a dace.) Ranges from Maryland to Georgia in clear brooks on both sides of the Alle- ghany Mountains. It is abundant in the Catawba (Bucks Creek at Pleasant Garden), and is accredited by Cope to the Yadkin as well as the Catawba. Recently (1904) the species has been recorded from Middle Creek, a tribu- tary of the Little Tennessee River in Macon County, North Carolina, examples having been forwarded therefrom to the Bureau of Fisheries by Mr. D. P. Cabe, of Otto. 88 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Genus NOTEMIGONUS Rafinesque. Roaches. A strongly marked genus, with body greatly compressed and very deep, the dorsal and ventral outlines being much curved; mouth small; teeth 5—5, hooked, having grinding surface with a fluted edge; scales large; lateral line very markedly curved; dorsal fin small, placed behind ventrals; anal base long, its rays rather numerous; intestine short. One species, with several varieties. (Notemigonus, sharp-backed.) 64, NOTEMIGONUS CRYSOLEUCAS (Mitchill). “Roach”; ‘‘Shiner’’; ‘‘Shiner Sun-fish’’; ‘‘Shad Roach’’; Golden Shiner; Bream; Dace; Chub. Cyprinus crysoleucas Mitchill, Report Fishes New York, 23, 1814; New York. Stilbe americana, Cope, 1870b, 465; Catawba, Yadkin, and Neuse basins. Notemigonus chrysoleucus, Jordan, 1889b, 126, 129, and 133; Tar, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. Smith, 1893a, 191, 195, 199; Pasquotank River, Edenton Bay, Roanoke River at Plymouth and Weldon. Notemigonus crysoleucas, Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Abramis chrysoleucas, Smith, 1901, 184; Lake Mattamuskeet. Abramia crysoleucas, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 250, pl. xlv, fig. 111 Diacnosis.—Body somewhat elongate, depth equal to .33 length; head small, compressed, conic, rather less than .25 length; eye .25 length of head; mouth oblique, small, upper jaw not extending to front of eye; dorsal fin short, high, rays 7 or 8; anal rays 13 to 16 in North Carolina specimens; scales 45 to 50 in lateral series, 10 above and 3 below lateral line. Color: pale green, with uniform golden luster; fins yellowish, lower fins red or orange in breeding males (and sometimes in females). (crysoleucas, golden-white.) Fig. 26. Roacu. Notemigonus crysoleucas. This minnow is abundant in all parts of North Carolina east of the moun- tains. It is one of the best known of the family, and may be readily distin- guished by the greatly decurved lateral line and the golden or brassy color. Cope reports it as common in still and sluggish waters in the basins of the Catawba, Yadkin, and Neuse; Jordan lists it from the Tar, Neuse, and Cape 4 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 89 Fear; Evermann & Cox report it as excessively abundant in the vicinity of Raleigh, especially in meadow ditches and isolated ponds and pools. It is everywhere abundant in the Albemarle region, being caught in large numbers in pound nets and seines during the shad season. Jordan’s specimens are referred to the southern variety bosct, characterized by larger scales and more numer- ous anal rays, but some of the Albemarle Sound fish represent the typical form. The largest example obtained by the writer in Pasquotank River in April, 1902, was 7.75 inches long in spawning condition, with ventral fins crimson in color, anal dull orange at base with a black margin; in other specimens the lower fins were yellow; dorsal rays 7 or 8, anal rays 14 or 15, scales 45 to 50 in lateral line, 13 in crosswise series. Fish from Roanoke River had 13 or 14 anal rays and 50 scales in lateral series. The roach has a number of common names in North Carolina; all of those shown above are in use in the Albemarle region except ‘‘shad roach”, which is employed at Raleigh. The fish reaches a fair size for a minnow, the maxi- mum length being 1 foot; it is often caught by anglers, and is used for home con- sumption, but has no commercial importance. Genus NOTROPIS Rafinesque. Minnows and Shiners. A very numerous genus or group of small fishes, abundant in fresh waters all over the eastern and central sections of the United States, some species found also in Canada and Mexico. The species are very similar, variable, and difficult to distinguish. For identification, reliance must be placed chiefly on the teeth and scales, but even these are variable parts. Body elongate, sub- cylindrical or compressed, abdomen always rounded; mouth usually terminal, sometimes slightly inferior; scales comparatively large; lateral line present, usually continuous; fins short, dorsal located over or posterior to ventrals; pharyngeal teeth in 1 or 2 rows, the larger row always containing four teeth on each side, hooked and with a narrow surface for grinding or with sharp cut- ting edge; colors usually plain, males in spring becoming gaily pigmented in some species. These fish are usually regarded as the young of other fishes, and are so small and inconspicuous that they have rarely received any distinctive com- mon names, all being known as minnows or shiners. They have no value as human food, but are enormously important as food for game fishes. Represented in North Carolina by 22 known species, 3 of which are pecu- liar to the state; the key applies to typical specimens and must be used with caution and discrimination. Key to the North Carolina species of Notropis. i. Teeth 4—4, 1,4—4,0, or 1,4—4,1 (rarely 2 teeth in minor rows). a. Scales not closely overlapped and not especially deeper than long; dorsal fin over ventrals; anal rays 7 to 9; no black spot on dorsal fin; scales large, less than 40 in lateral series; 12 to 15 before dorsal; depth not more than .25 length. b. Teeth 4—4, well hooked; species very small. c. Base of caudal without black spot (except in very young)............ procne. cc. Base of caudal with a distinct black spot..............c00e00e spectrunculus. 90 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. bb. Teeth two-rowed, with grinding surface; a distinct black spot at base of caudal fin; SPeCles\ MARIE cx oascteieacatee edd oaseee sale dan glade go ¥ oamere ee ae oud hudsonius. aa. Scales deeper than long, closely overlapped on sides of body; teeth 1,4—4,1; dorsal fin with large black blotch posteriorly; no conspicuous black spot at base of caudal. d. Anal rays 7 to 9; fins of breeding males with white pigment. e. Body fusiform, depth 5.5; dorsal outline more curved than ventral; a distinct bluish band on caudal peduncle; size small ............. cc cece eee niveus. ee. Body compressed, depth 3.5; dorsal and ventral outlines similar; edges of teeth BOTTA; SIZE MEM UI s.«,5 FS. s is wees, 4 ew teg wide Vs.gst BR aba ded Haw GANS analostanus. eee. Body fusiform, depth 4.33; edges of teeth entire; caudal base creamy yellow; size IAN BG ccs ale squtelea Wales a bukee aes aged aa Gne ¥ ee REE EES 4 ated 2 ES galacturus. dd. Anal rays 10 or 11; breeding males with much red pigment on fins and body. homelas. ii. Teeth 2,4—4,2. on 7. Anal fin short, rays 7 to 9. g. Teeth with grinding surface. h. Lower jaw included; scales on sides very closely overlapped, so that exposed part is narrow; dorsal fin over ventrals; no dorsal or caudal spot; size large, coloration lain : hh. Dorsal fin inserted more or less posterior to ventrals; no black spot at base of dorsal fin; coloration generally brilliant in spring males. i. Lower jaw projecting; depth 4.5.0... 0.0.00. cece eee eens coccogenis. it. Jaws about equal. j. Base of caudal without distinct black spot. k. All fins more or less red in male; scales before dorsal fin 19; depth 4.5 rubricroceus. kk. Dorsal and caudal red at base in male; scales before dorsal fin 16; depth Dio3s HW RARE EOE REYES Hee aE RADY e HRSG OER Ce RAE EY Ciereroniniue kkk. Dorsal and caudal plain anteriorly, black posteriorly; scales before dorsal fin 183: depth 6.0 - sa scisansaenkeew aque phi aaa Roma EES brimleyi. 7j- Base of caudal with a dark spot. l. Body elongate, depth 5.5; dorsal finsmall................6. chiliticus. u. Body rather short, depth 3.5: dorsal fin very high.......... altipinnis. ll. Body moderately elongate, depth 5; dorsal fin high ...... chalybeus. gg. Teeth without grinding surface; scales not closely overlapped; no black spot at anterior base of dorsal fin, but a jet black spot at. base of caudal; dorsal fin placed behind “ventrals’ sss. sa stecis-clnuiee ace smal a Ga naam s ox Ben es gratin ideale leuciodus. jf. Anal fin long, rays 11 or 12. m. Scales not crowded on sides, those above lateral line large and few (in 5 to 7 series); eye longer than snout; no black spot at base of dorsal. n. Scales before dorsal fin large, 13 to 15; eye large. o. Lateral line straight or nearly so. p. Body elongate, little compressed, depth 4.75 to 5.5 times in length. telescopus. pp. Body very elongate, depth 6 times in length................0eee eee arge. oo. Lateral line decurved. gq. Body short, compressed, back elevated, depth 4.5 times in length. .scepticus. qq. Body long and slender, compressed, back not elevated, depth 5.5 times in Jem p this. s6s9 S.5 ikea wm eraarie se at hie dire tes Sea haceav dis eBid Seas ued Ae atherinoides. mn. Scales before dorsal fin small, 22 to 25; eye smaller.................. amenus. mm. Scales very closely imbricated on sides, those above lateral line in 7 to 10 series; eye scarcely longer than snout; a dark spot at base of dorsal fin anteriorly and a similar spot.at: base-of Caudal: cciccinans ane, vadageaves aldo bbe dae cadtee segs we grates umbratilis. (Notropis, keel-backed, a name of no significance for these fishes, being based on a mutilated specimen.) 65. NOTROPIS PROCNE (Cope). “Choby’’; Shiner. Hybognathus procne Cope, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1864, 279; Delaware River and other streams in Pennsylvania. Notropis procne, Jordan, 1889b, 125, 129, 132, 137; Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, and Catawba rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 264. , SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 91 Draqgnosis.—Body short, slender, compressed, the depth contained 5.25 times in total length; caudal peduncle long and slender; head small, contained 4.75 times in total length; snout obtuse, mouth small, jaws equal; eye large, .4 length of head; 32 to 34 scales in lateral series, 8 in transverse series, 13 before dorsal fin; dorsal fin high, its first ray as long as head, rays 8; anal rays 7, the longest .8 length of head; caudal long andforked. Color: olivaceous above, white or silvery below; a narrow black lateral band extending to nose, this overlaid by a plumbeous shade; a dark stripe along middle of back; fins slightly yellowish. Length, 2.5 inches. (procne, a swallow.) Inhabits coastwise streams from New York to South Carolina. In North Carolina it has been found to be common in Tar River near Rocky Mount, in Neuse River at Milburnie, in Little River at Goldsboro, in tributaries of Haw River (tributary of Cape Fear) in Guilford County, and in Catawba River near Marion. Numerous specimens have been collected in Pembroke Creek, near the Edenton hatchery, by Mr. 8. G. Worth, who states that the local name for this fish (and doubtless other similar species) is “‘chovy”’ or ‘‘choby”’—obviously a corruption of anchovy. 66. NOTROPIS SPECTRUNCULUS (Cope). Shiner. Hybopsis spectrunculus Cope, Journal Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1868, 231; Holston River (Virginia?). Cope, 1870b, 460; tributaries of French Broad River. Notropis spectrunculus, Jordan, 1889b, 152; north and south forks of Swannanoa River, and Spring Creek, tribu- taries of French Broad River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 265. Diaenosis.—Body long, depth less than .2 total length; head large, broad, flat, .25 total length; eye large, .33 length of head; mouth somewhat oblique, the upper jaw extending as far as eye; scales in lateral series 37, scales before dorsal 15; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 9. Color: pale green above, white below, a dull bluish band or stripe along sides; a distinct black spot at base of caudal fin; scales of back edged with black; dorsal and anal fins black at base; all fins tinged with orange or redin male. Length, 3inches. (spectrunculus, diminutive of spectrum.) This minnow is restricted to the headwaters of the Tennessee basin, and is common in mountain streams and springs. It is exceedingly abundant in the upper waters of the Swannanoa, but is scarce in other tributaries of the French Broad. . 67. NOTROPIS HUDSONIUS (Clinton), var. SALUDANUS Jordan & Brayton. Spawn-eater; Shiner; Silver-fin. Alburnops saludanus Jordan & Brayton, 1878, 16; Saluda River, South Carolina, Notropis saludanus, Jordan, 1889b, 132, 134, 187; Cape Fear, Yadkin, and Catawba rivers. Notropis hudsonius, Jordan, 1889b, 129; Neuse River. Smith, 1893a, 190, 194; Pasquotank River and Albe- marle Sound. Notropis hudsonius saludanus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 270, pl. xlviii, fig. 120. Diagnosis (based on specimens from Albemarle region, 2.5 inches long).—Body elongate, somewhat compressed, depth contained 4.5 to 5 times in total.length; head large, its length contained 4 to 4.5 timesin length; mouth on level with lower edge of orbit, small, somewhat oblique, maxillary not reaching half way to eye from end of snout; snout round, rugose; eye large, longer than snout, contained about 2.75 times in length of head; teeth slightly hooked, some with a grinding surface, number variable, either 2,4—4,2 or 0,4 4,0; scales 36 in lateral series, 8 or 9 in transverse series; lateral line complete, nearly straight except at origin; 92 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. dorsal fin rather nearer snout than base of caudal, over ventrals, rays 8; anal rays 8; caudal deeply forked. Color: pale green above, the scales with dark edges; a silvery lateral band, with black punctulations ending in a distinct roundish black spot at base of caudal. (hud- sonius, pertaining to Hudson River; saludanus, pertaining to Saluda River.) KS oe ok) ENE ERE RAID LEER ENAAY) Fig. 27. SpawN-EATER; SHINER. WNotropis hudsonius saludanus. Notropis hudsonius is a widely distributed and highly variable minnow. It ranges from New York through the Great Lakes, to the Dakotas, and thence to Georgia and the Carolinas. The southern form, variety saludanus, embraces most of the North Carolina specimens. The fish has been found in Cape Fear, Yadkin, Catawba, Neuse, and Pasquotank rivers, but is not common in any of them; specimens have recently been examined from a tributary of Little Tenn- essee River in Macon County which were forwarded for identification by Mr. D. P. Cabe, of Otto. The variety attains a length of 4 inches. 68. NOTROPIS NIVEUS (Cope). “Shiner’’; Snowy Minnow. Hybopsis niveus Cope, 1870b, 460; upper Catawba River, North Carolina. Notropis niveus, Jordan, 1889b, 125, 129, 132, 134, 138; Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, Yadkin, and Catawba rivers. Smith, 1893a, 194; Albemarle Sound. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 277. Diaenosis.—Body regularly fusiform, dorsal region more arched than ventral, depth .2 total length without caudal; head conic, its length contained 4.5 times in total body length; muzzle obtuse, mouth nearly terminal, slightly oblique, lower jaw included, maxilla extending to opposite anterior rim of orbit; eye equal to snout, contained 3 to 3.5 times in length of head; scales, 35 to 40 in lengthwise series, 9 in crosswise series, 15 or 16 before dorsal fin; lateral line decurved; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 8 or 9; teeth 1,4—4,1 (or 1,4—4,0), slightly hooked, with grinding surface. Color: pale, a narrow bluish lateral band ending in a faint spot on caudal base; a large dark spot on upper posterior part of dorsal fin; dorsal and caudal yellow or creamy; tips of caudal and dorsal fins and whole of anal fin charged with milky white pigment. Length, 2.5 inches. (niveus, snowy.) This very small minfttow, which is found from Virginia to South Carolina east of the mountains. inhabits most of the streams of North Carolina and is reported as abundant in the Tar, Neuse, and Catawba, and common in the Cape Fear and Yadkin. It is also very abundant in the western end of Albemarle Sound. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 93 , 69. NOTROPIS ANALOSTANUS (Girard). Silver-fin; Satin-fin; Lace-fin. Cyprinella analostana Girard, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1859, 59; Potomac River at Washington, D. C. Hypsilepis analostanus, Cope, 1870b, 459; Catawba and Neuse rivers. Notropis analostanus, Evermann & Cox, 1896, 309; Neuse River (after Cope). J ordan & Evermann, 1896, 279. D1acnosis.—Body somewhat compressed, the depth contained 3.5 times in total length; head rather short and deep; mouth small, oblique, lower jaw included within the upper when mouth is closed; scales in lateral series 34 or 35; edges of teeth serrate; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 8. Color: silvery blue on back, scales with dusky edges; a large black spot on upper posterior part of dorsal fin; in breeding males all fins more or less filled with satiny white pigment. Length, 4inches. (analostanus, pertaining to Analostan Island.) Cope states that this species is abundant in Catawba River and is also found in Neuse River; no one else, however, has reported it from North Carolina. The species is common in the Chesapeake and Delaware basins. 70. NOTROPIS GALACTURUS (Cope). Milky-tailed Minnow. Hypsilepis galacturus Cope, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1867, 160; Holston River, Virginia. Cope, 1870b, 459; French Broad River. Notropis galacturus, Jordan, 1889b, 152; Swannanoa River and Spring Creek at Hot Springs, N.C. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 279, pl. xlviii, fig. 122. Ya We __ Fig. 28. Mitxy-raitep Minnow. WNotropis galacturus. Diacnosis.—Body elongate, fusiform, slightly compressed, the depth a little less than .25 total length; length of head equal to depth of body; mouth large, horizontal, lower jaw included within the upper; eye small; lateral line somewhat decurved; scales in lateral series 41, in cross series 9; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 8. Color: males steel blue (females olivaceous) above, silvery below; a black blotch on posterior dorsal rays; caudal fin creamy yellow at base, dusky distally; males in spring with abdomen, paired fins, and tips of dorsal, anal, and caudal fins charged with milk-white pigment, anal and caudal fins sometimes reddish. Length, 6 inches. (galacturus, milky-tailed.) This minnow inhabits mountain streams from Missouri to Virginia, west. of the Allegheny mountains. In North Carolina, it is common in the upper tribu- taries of the French Broad River (Swannanoa, south fork of Swannanoa, and Spring Creek). 94 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 71. NOTROPIS PYRRHOMELAS (Cope). Fiery-black Minnow. Photogenis pyrrhomelas Cope, 1870b, 363; Catawba River. Notropis pyrrhomelas, Jordan, 1889b, 134, 138; Yadkin and Catawba rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 280. Dracnosis.—Body rather deep, compressed, the depth contained 3.75 to 4 times in total length; head short, blunt, .25 total length of body; mouth oblique, jaws equal, maxillary extending as far as anterior margin of orbit; eye large, its length contained 3 to 3.6 times in length of head and 1.25 times in interorbital space; teeth sharp, hooked, without grinding surface; scales 34 to 36 in lengthwise series, 9 in crosswise series; dorsal fin high, its height in males equal to head, rays 8; anal fin large, rays 10 or 11; pectoral fins reaching about to ven- trals and the latter to anal; caudal fin broad and long, the peduncle stout and compressed. Color: males steel blue above, the scales darker edged, belly abruptly milky white; head pale. reddish, muzzle, upper lip and iris vermillion; dorsal fin vermillion anteriorly, a black spot posteriorly, with a milk-white tip; caudal with a broad black posterior margin, next to which is a wide vermillion crescent, base of tail pale; anal and ventral fins with white pigment; females duller. Length, 3.5 inches. (pyrrhomelas, fiery-black.) This minnow, described by Cope from tributaries of the upper Catawba, is known only from the Catawba and Yadkin basins. In 1869 Cope found it to be the most abundant fish in the upper Catawba region; and in 1888 the same state- ment applied to it. In the Yadkin, in the vicinity of Salisbury, it is common. It is probably the most beautiful of the minnows, the brilliant red, black, and white making a sharp contrast. The males retain their colors until autumn and possibly throughout the year. 72. NOTROPIS ALBEOLUS Jordan & Meek. ‘*Shiner’’. Notropis megalops albeolus Jordan & Meek, in Jordan, 1889}, 123, 125, 129; Roanoke River, Va., Tar and Neuse rivers. > Hypsilepis cornutus, var. cornutus, Cope, 1870b, 459; Neuse River. Notropis megalops, Evermann & Cox, 1896, 309; Neuse River (= H. cornutus cornutus, Cope, supra). Wotropis albeolus, Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 283. Dracnosis.—A large species, with depth equal to .25 total length; head heavy, com- pressed, about .25 total length; mouth of moderate size, horizontal, lower jaw somewhat shorter than upper; eye rather large, contained.3.5 times in length of head; about 38 scales in lateral line, 14 scales between dorsal fin and nape; lateral line decurved; dorsal fin high, the free margin concave, rays 8; anal high, concave, rays 9; caudal fin and peduncle long. Color: olive green above, silvery white on sides; fins white; snout pink in males. (albeolus, whitish.) Inhabits the channels and lower courses of Tar and Neuse rivers, and appears to be rather uncommon. It is one of the largest of the genus, attaining a length of 7 inches. 73. NOTROPIS COCCOGENIS (Cope). Red-cheeked Minnow. Hypsilepis coccogenis Cope, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1867, 160, pl. 27, fig, 5; Holston River, Va. Cope, 1870b, 459; French Broad River. : Notropis coccogenis, Jordan, 1889b, 152; French Broad, Swannanoa and tributaries. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 284, pl. xlix, fig. 124. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 95 Dracnosis.—Body long, compressed, the depth a little less than .25 total length; head pointed, .25 total length; mouth large, oblique, lower jaw projecting, end of upper jaw extend- ing beyond anterior margin of orbit; eye large, contained 3.5 times in length of head; 42 rows of scales between head and tail, 10 rows between dorsal fin and medium line of abdomen, 20 scales between dorsal fin and head; dorsal rays 7; analrays 8. Color: light green on back, the scales with dark edges, a faint lateral stripe and dusky band on shoulders; a scarlet vertical bar between eye and gill opening; upper lip and ‘muzzle red; sides and belly rosy in spring males, otherwise silvery; a red spot on body near base of pectoral; dorsal fin with lower half yellow and outer half black; lower fins white; females silvery, with only traces of red. Length, 5 inches. (coccogenis, red-cheeked.) This beautiful minnow is very abundant in the mountain streams forming the headwaters of Tennessee River in North Carolina; in addition to the streams noted in thesynonymy, it isknown from Middle Creek, a tributary of the Little Tennessee River in Macon County. It inhabits also the basins of the Cumber- land and Savannah rivers. 74. NOTROPIS RUBRICROCEUS (Cope). Saffron-colored Minnow. * Hybopsis rubricroceus Cope, Journal Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1868, 231, pl. 38, fig. 4; Holston River, Va. , Notropis rubricroceus, Jordan, 1889b, 152; north and south forks of Swannanoa River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 286. Draenosis.—Form elongated, compressed, the depth contained 4.5 times in total length of body; head long and pointed, .25 total length; mouth large, oblique, posterior angle of upper jaw extending beyond anterior margin of orbit; eye contained 3.3 times in length of head, equal to length of snout; teeth with grinding surface, the edges sometimes fluted; 38 scales in length- wise series, 10 in crosswise series, 19 in front of dorsal fin; lateral line decurved; dorsal rays 8; anal rays 9. Color: males dark steel blue or green, with a black or blue lateral band and a yellowish-green lateral streak, the black band often passing through eye and around snout; silvery beneath; fins sometimes yellow but usually of various shades of red, from pink to scarlet; head and lower jaw red; males in highest coloration with entire body red; females dark green, tinged with red. Length, 4inches. (rubricroceus, reddish-saffron.) An exceedingly beautiful little fish, peculiar to the upper waters of the Savannah and Tennessee rivers, abounding in mountain streams and frequently found in pools below falls. In North Carolina it has been reported from both forks of the Swannanoa, where it is exceedingly abundant. 75. NOTROPIS CHLOROCEPHALUS (Cope). Green-headed Minnow. Hybopsis chlorocephalus Cope, 1870b, 461; Catawba River. Notropis chlorocephalus, Jordan 1889b, 137; Catawba River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 286. Diacnosis.—Form rather stout, caudal peduncle deep, body depth .2 total length; head broad, .25 total length; orbit large, more than .33 length of head; interorbital region wide, exceeding length of snout; mouth oblique, end of maxilla extending beyond margin of orbit; lateral line slightly decurved; scales in lateral series 39, in transverse series 8 or 9, before dorsal fin 16; dorsal rays 8; anal rays 8. Color: green, everywhere dusted with black, except on belly and below eyes, the spots gathered into a lateral band which terminates in a basal caudal spot; fins unspotted; in life a metallic green line on back, and one from upper angle of 96 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. operculum to caudal; below the latter line, dark crimson; dorsal and caudal fins, operculum and cheek, with end of nose, all crimson; part of operculum, preoperculum, postfrontal region, and top of head metallic green (Cope). Length, 2. 5inches. (chlorocephalus, green-headed.) Peculiar to the Santee basin. Cope, in his original description, said: ‘This surpassingly beautiful fish is abundant in the clear waters which it inhabits—viz., the tributaries of the Catawba River”. Jordan found it abundant in the clear swift waters of Bucks Creek, tributary of the Catawba, at Pleasant Garden. 76. NOTROPIS BRIMLEYI B.A. Bean. Brimley’s Minnow. Notropis brimleyi Bean, 1903, 913; Cane River, N. C. Diaenosis.—Body elongate, rounded, depth contained 5.3 times in total length; head .25 total length; mouth somewhat oblique, large, maxilla extending as far as pupil; eye contained 3.3 times in length of head, its diameter greater than length of snout, less than interorbital- space; 43 scales in lateral line, 8 in transverse line, 18 before dorsal; dorsal rays 9; anal rays 9. Color: above light green, with dark punctulations, scales with dark edges; below s'lvery white; a dark stripe along middle of back from head to tail; a plumbeous band from upper angle of gill cover to caudal, where it broadens and extends to top of caudal peduncle; a dark shoulder band; posterior parts of dorsal and caudal black; fins otherwise pale. Length, 3.75 inches. (Named for H. H. Brimley, of Raleigh.) This recently described species is as yet known only from Cane River, a tributary of the French Broad, in Yancey County. e 77. NOTROPIS CHILITICUS (Cope). Red-lipped Minnow. Hybopsis chiliticus Cope, 1870b, 462; Yadkin River. . Notropis chiliticus, Jordan, 1889b, 134; Yadkin River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 287; basin of Great Pedee in N.C. Dracnosis.—Body elongate, the depth contained 5.5 times in total length; head broad behind, its length .25 total length; eye large. .33 length of head and longer than snout; maxil- lary extending beyond anterior rim of orbit; lateral line strongly decurved; 34 to 37 scales in lateral series; dorsal fin small, rays 8; anal rays 8. Color: light green above, the scales brown- edged; a silvery lateral band; usually a black caudal spot; a vermillion band through anal fin, another through dorsal fin; lips and snout vermillion; in breeding males, whole body flushed with red. Length, 2 inches. (chiliticus, relating to lip.) Peculiar to the Yadkin and tributaries. Thetypes were from Roane County, Cope remarking that the species is as beautiful as Notropis chlorocephalus, its tints being much more transparent. The fish is not rare in the vicinity of Salis- bury. 78. NOTROPIS ALTIPINNIS (Cope). High-finned Minnow. Alburnellus altipinnis Cope, 1870b, 464; Yadkin River. Notropis altipinnis, Jordan, 1889b, 132; tributary of Cape Fear River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 287. DiaGnosis.—Body rather short and deep, depth contained 3.5 times in total length; head short, not wide, contained 4.3 times in total length; orbit very large, diameter exceeding length SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 97 of snout and entering head 2.75 times; scales, 36 in lateral series, 5 or 6 rows above and 2 rows below lateral line, which is much decurved; dorsal unusually high, the longest ray equal to half distance from fin to end of snout, rays 8; anal rays 8 or 9; ventrals extending to anal fin, beyond dorsal. Color: pale green, a broad lateral silvery band with sharp black dots from snout to base of caudal; dorsal, anal, and caudal fins faintly reddish; snout yellowish; lower jaw always blackish; a black spot at base of caudal in young. Length, 2.25 inches. (altipinnis, high- finned.) Described from Yadkin River in Roane County. Common in clear tribu- taries of Cape Fear River near Greensboro. Similar to Notropis chalybeus. 79. NOTROPIS CHALYBUS (Cope). Iron-colored Minnow. Hybopsis chalybeus Cope, Cyprinide of Pennsylvania, 383, 1866; Schuylkill River, Pa. Notropis chalybeus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 288 (coastwise streams, Delaware to Ogeechee). Diaenosis.—Body moderately elongate, back slightly elevated, depth .2 total length; head flat above, its length contained 3.8 times in total length; muzzle rather pointed, mouth very oblique, lower jaw somewhat longer; eye large, .33 length of head; caudal peduncle slender; lateral line decurved; scales, 33 rows in lengthwise series, 6 rows above and 3 rows below lateral line, 16 to 18 scales anterior to dorsal; dorsal and anal fins short and high, rays 8 ineach. Color: dark above, pale yellow below; a broad, lustrous black lateral band from snout to caudal base; a light band above dark one on snout; fins plain; a dark streak along anal base; abdomen bright orange in spring males. Length, 2 inches. (chalybeus, iron-colored.) This species inhabits the lowland streams and swamps from Pennsylvania to Georgia, and doubtless occurs in North Carolina, although not yet collected there. 80. NOTROPIS LUCIODUS (Cope), p Minnow. Photogenis luciodus Cope, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1867, 165; Holston River, Va. Cope, 1870b, 463; French Broad River. Notropis luciodus, Jordan, 18890, 152; French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 291 Diacnosis.—Body slender, depth .2 length; head contained 4.5 times in length; muzzle rounded, mouth oblique, lower jaw not projecting; lateral line straight; 39 scales in lateral series, 8 in crosswise series, 13 before dorsal fin; dorsal rays 8; anal fin short and high, rays 8. Color: dark green above, scales with dark edges; sides silvery; a purple lateral band; a black spot at base of caudal, always present; males with red snout and red dorsal base. Length, 3inches. (luciodus, having a whitish appearance.) Found only in the upper waters of the Tennessee basin. It is abundant in the tributaries of the French Broad in North Carolina, but does not ascend mountain streams. 81. NOTROPIS TELESCOPUS (Cope). Minnow. Photogenis telescopus Cope, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1867, 165; Holston River, Va. Cope, 1870, 463; French Broad River. Notropis telescopus, Jordan, 18896, 152; French Broad River and tributaries. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 292, pl. 1, fig. 126, Dracnosis.—Body long, not greatly compressed, depth contained 4.75 to 5.5 times in total length; head rather less than .25 total length; mouth oblique, snout short and sharp, 98 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. lower jaw not projecting; eye very large, longer than snout and more than .33 length of head; scales, 38 in lateral line, 8 in transverse series, 13 before dorsal; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 10. Color: pale green above, the scales dark-edged. Length, 4 inches. (telescopus, far-sighted.) IIE AR LOSER? Dee Fig. 29. Minnow. WNotropis telescopus. Confined to the upper waters of the Tennessee; very abundant in tributaries of the French Broad in North Carolina. 82. NOTROPIS ARGE (Cope). Minnow. Alburnellus arge Cope, Cyprinide of Pennsylvania, 388, 1866; Detroit (or St. Joseph) River, Michigan. Notropis arge, Bean, 1903, 914; Cane River, tributary of French Broad. Dracenosis.—Body very elongate, the depth .16 total length; head large, contained 4.25 times in length; mouth large, chin projecting; eye longer than snout, contained 2.75 to 3 times in length of head; scales, 39 in lateral line, 8 in transverse line; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 11. Color: pale green above, with a silvery band and a black line along sides; a dark streak on middle of back. Length, 4 inches. (arge, lustrous white.) Inhabits southern Michigan and Ohio valley; recently recorded from North Carolina by Mr. B. A. Bean, who received 11 specimens, 2 to 4 inches long, from Cane River, in Yancey County. 83. NOTROPIS SCEPTICUS (Jordan & Gilbert). Minnow. Minnilus scepticus Jordan & Gilbert, Synopsis of the Fishes of North America, Bulletin No. 16 U. S. National Museum, 1883, 200; Saluda River, 8. C. Photogenis leucops, Cope, 1870b, 463; Catawba and Neuse rivers (in part). Notropis scepticus, Jordan, 1889b, 132, 138; Haw River (tributary of Cape Fear), Catawba River, and Johns River (tributary of Catawba). Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 296. Dracnosis.—Body short, compressed and elevated, depth contained 4.5 times in length; head large, deep, more than .25 total length; snout blunt, less than diameter of eye; mouth terminal, oblique, lower jaw shorter, maxilla extending to front of orbit; eye large, .33 length of head; lateral line much decurved; scales, 38 in lateral series, 9 in transverse series, 13 to 16 before dorsal; dorsal fin inserted well behind ventrals, rays 8; tips of ventrals extending to last dorsal rays; anal rays 10. Color: pale green, scales with dark edges; a silvery lateral band; a dark line at base of dorsal fin. Length, 3inches. (scepticus, observant.) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 99 This species is known from the Cape Fear and Santee basins. It was found by Jordan to be very rare in Haw River, tributary of the Cape Fear, but not uncommon in Catawba River near Marion and in Johns River near Morgantown. This appears to be the fish which Cope assigns to the headwaters of the Catawba and to the Neuse near Raleigh under the name of Photogenis leucops. 84. NOTROPIS ATHERINOIDES Rafinesque. Minnow. Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque, American Monthly Magazine and Critical Review, 1818, 204; Lake Erie. Jordan, 1889b, 152; French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 293. Dracnosis.—Body long and slender, compressed, not elevated, the depth contained 5.5 to 6 times in length; head blunt, conic, relatively short, contained 4.66 times in length; mouth of moderate size, oblique, maxillary reaching to margin of orbit; eye large, contained 3 to 3.25 times in length of head, longer than snout; lateral line decurved; scales, 38 in lateral series, 8 in transverse series, 15 anterior to dorsal fin; fins low, the dorsal well behind ventrals, rays 8; anal rays 11; ventrals reaching beyond middle of dorsal. Color: above translucent green, sides bright silvery. Length, 6 inches. (atherinoides, resembling a silverside.) Inhabits Ohio and Mississippi valleys and Great Lakes region, entering North Carolina through Tennessee River, in the headwaters of which it is com- mon (French Broad at Hot Springs, Swannanoa near Asheville). 85. NOTROPIS AMGENUS (Abbott). Minnow. Alburnellus amenus Abbott, American Naturalist, 1874, 334; Raritan River, N. J. Notropis amenus, Jordan, 1889b, 129; Neuse River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 296. Dracnosis.—Body long, compressed, the depth contained 4.75 to 5.5 times in total length; head .25 length; mouth large, oblique, jaws equal, maxillary extending to margin of orbit; eye large, longer than snout, contained 3.33 times in length of head; lateral line decurved; scales, 39 in lateral series, 9 in crosswise series (6 above lateral line), 22 to 25 before dorsal; dorsal fin high, rays 8; analrays 10. Color: translucent green, sides silvery, a faint plumbeous lateral band. Length, 4 inches. (amenus, comely.) Found from the Raritan to the Neuse in clear streams on the eastern slope of Alleghenies. It is common in the Neuse at Millburnie and in Little River at Goldsboro. 86. NOTROPIS UMBRATILIS (Girard), var. MATUTINUS Cope. Minnow. Alburnellus matutinus Cope, 1870b, 465; Neuse River, Wake County, N: C. Notropis matutinus, Jordan, 1889b, 125, 129; Tar and Neuse rivers. Notropis umbratils matutinus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 301. Dracnosis.—A compact slender species, depth .16 total length; head contained 4.25 times in length; orbit large, contained 3.5 times in head and once in interorbital space; dorsal rays 8, longest equal to .33 distance from fin to end of snout; anal rays 11; scales 44 in lateral line, 10 in transverse line, 20 to 25 before dorsal fin. Color: above olivaceous, scales edged with brown; a plumbeous lateral band; sides and below silvery; a dark spot at caudal base; 100 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. snout, chin, and upper part of dorsal bright rufous; a small black spot at anterior base of dorsal. Length, 2.5 inches. (umbratilis, shaded; matutinus, relating to the morning, i.e., rosy.) This form is found in the Neuse and Pamlico basins, in which it prefers sandy brooks. It is common in Tar River at Rocky Mount and rather scarce in Neuse River near Raleigh. , : Genus PHENACOBIUS Cope. Sucker-like Minnows. Small minnows resembling suckers, inhabiting the region between Alleghany and Rocky mountains. Body long, slightly compressed; mouth inferior, lower lip enlarged into a fleshy lobe on each side; upper jaw protractile; teeth with no grinding surface; lateral line continuous; scales small; dorsal fin inserted anterior to ventrals; intestine short. One North Carolina species. (Phenacobius, decep- tive-lived.) 87. PHENACOBIUS URANOPS Cope. Minnow. Phenacobius uranops Cope, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1867, 96; Holston River, Va. Jordan, 1889b, 152; Swannanoa River near Asheville and Spring Creek at Hot Springs. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 304, pl. li., fig. 130. Fig. 30. Minnow. Phenacobius uranops. Dracnosts.—Body very slender, little compressed, back not elevated; depth .16 length; head long, slender, flat above, snout broad, blunt, projecting, length of head contained 4.75 times in total length; mouth entirely inferior, lips conspicuous; eye large, high on side of head, its diameter contained 3.5 times in length of head; lateral line straight; scales, 60 in lateral series, 13 in transverse series, 24 before dorsal; breast and median line of belly without scales; isthmus broad, half length of head; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 7; all fins small. Color: olive green with black spot at caudal base. Length, 3.5inches. (uranops, star-gazer.) This minnow inhabits the upper part of the Tennessee basin, and is not rare at the points indicated in the synonymy. It prefers the channels of the rivers, and does not ascend brooks. 4 Genus RHINICHTHYS Agassiz. Black-nosed Dace. Small fishes, living in clear cold streams. Body long; mouth small, inferior; a small barbel at endof maxillary; teeth 2,4—4, 2 (or 1), hooked, with no grinding surface; intestine short; scales small; lateral line complete; dorsal fin placed behind ventrals; pectoral fins enlarged in males. Represented in North Carolina SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 101 by two species, found only in the Tennessee basin; these may be distinguished as follows: i. Snout very long and prominent, twice length of eye, projecting much beyond mouth; no distinct black lateral band........ 0.0... cc cee eee eee eee Hewes ates 1+ cataracte. ii. Snout shorter and less prominent, not twice length of eye, projecting but little beyond mouth; a distinct lateral band ........... 0. eee ee cece ce eee e een ee nee atronasus. (Rhinichthys, snout-fish.) 88. RHINIOHTHYS CATARAOTZ (Ouvier & Valenciennes). Long-nosed Dace. Gobio cataracte Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, xvi, 315, 1842; Niagara Falls, N. Y. Rhinichthys cataracte, Bean, 1903, 914; Bollings Creek, tributary of French Broad River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 306. Dracnosis.—Body long, not elevated, rounded, depth .2 total length; head long, .25 total length; snout flat, narrow, and prominent, mouth inferior; eye .2 length of head and .5 length of snout; scales 62 to 68 in lateral series, 22 in transverse series; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 7. Color: back olive or black, usually mottled, below pale; no sharply defined lateral band; a black spot on opercle; spring males with lips, cheeks, and lower fins crimson. Length, 5 inches. (cataracte, of the cataract, i.e., Niagara Falls.) This species is found from New England to the basins of the Columbia and the Rio Grande. Its existence in North Carolina waters has recently been determined by the collection of specimens in Bollings Creek, a tributary of the French Broad, by Mr. H. H. Brimley, and in Middle Creek, a tributary of the Little Tennessee, by Mr. D. P. Cabe. 89. RHINICHTHYS ATRONASUS (Mitchill). Black-nosed Dace. Cyprinus atronasus Mitchill, Transactions Literary and Philosophical Society of New York, i, 1815, 460; Wal- kill River, N. Y. Argyreus lunatus, Cope, 1870b, 459; French Broad River. Rhinichthys obtusus, Jordan, 1889b, 152; north and south forks of Swannanoa River. Rhinichthys atronasus croceus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 308. Diaenosis.—Body little compressed, depth contained 4.5 times in total length; head broad, .25 total length; upper jaw projecting, mouth small; eye small, .2 length of head; scales, 70 in lateral series; dorsal rays 7, anal rays 6. Color: back olive with dark mottlings, under parts silvery; a black lateral band margined with creamy yellow; a dusky blotch on base of dorsal fin; males with lateral band and lower fins red. Length, 3 inches. (atronasus, black- nosed.) The black-nosed dace inhabits clear cold streams and brooks, from New England to Minnesota and thence to Alabama and Virginia. In North Carolina it has a very limited distribution, being recorded from that state only in tribu- taries of the French Broad. Cope reports it, under the name of Argyreus lunatus, as common, and Jordan found it in the north and south forksof Swannanoa River near Black Mountain. The form represented in the Tennessee basin is the variety croceus of Storer. 102 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Genus HYBOPSIS Agassiz. Horny-heads. A numerous group of small fishes of the fresh waters of the United States and Mexico; related to Notropis, but distinguished by the presence of one or two barbels on each side of the upper jaw. Shape of body various; mouth terminal or inferior; upper jaw protractile; teeth 4—4, 1,4—4,1 or 1,4—4,0, hooked, with or without narrow grinding surface; lateral line continuous; dorsal fin inserted in front of, over, or behind ventrals; head in breeding males covered wth tubercles. Six species have been recorded from North Carolina waters and another (Hybop- sis watauga) may be looked for, as it exists in the headwaters of Tennessee River in Tennessee and Virginia. (Hybopsis, swell-faced.) Key to the North Carolina species of Hybopsis. i. Size small (4 inches or less); mouth inferior, horizontal; coloration silvery. a. Teeth l-rowed (4—4). b. Teeth without grinding surface; eye moderate or small (contained 3.5 to 5.5 times in head); no series of dark blotches on sides; a large black blotch on posterior part of dorsal fin; a dark spot at base of Piidilepaceeis ceacis cna casaeccs monacus. bb. Teeth with slight grinding surface; eye large (contained 2.75 times in head); series of dark blotches on sides, these being expansions of a dark lateral band; no black spot on. dorsal or. icaudal fins: ay... git Seer ved eae wean adele Va wee esha dissimilis. aa. Teeth 2-rowed (1,4—4,1 or 1,4-4,0). c. Barbel very long; eye contained 3.3 times in head; a large dark spot on upper pos- terior part: of doraal fin: wec.e fea cos pes ed oad oea asm ness gee ek Zoe ENS ee labrosus. cc. No spot on dorsal fin. d. Kye moderate. (3.25 to 3.5 times in head); a dark lateral band ending in spot at caudal base; depth .25 total length .......-.....0 eee eee eee ee hypsinotus. dd. Eye large (2. 75 to 3 in head); no dark caudal spot; depth .2 total length. . .amblops. tt. Size large (10 inches or less); mouth large, nearly terminal; coloration not silvery; teeth 1-rowed or 2-rowed (4—4 or 1,4—4,1); top of head swollen ...........00. kentuckiensis. 90. HYBOPSIS MONAOCUS ( Cope). Minnow. Ceratichthys monacus Cope, Journal Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1867, 227; Holston River, Va. Hybopsis monacus, Jordan, 1889b, 152; tributaries of the French Broad River, N. C. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 318. Diacnosis.—Form slender, little compressed, depth contained 5.25 times in total length; head long, slender, flat above, .25 total length; snout projecting, mouth small, inferior, horizon- tal, maxillary not extending as far as orbit; eye small, less than .25 length of head; teeth 4—4; scales, 56 in lateral line, 12 in transverse line, 24 before dorsal fin; dorsal rays 8; anal rays 8. Color: light green above, silvery on sides and belly; black spot at caudal base; dorsal fin posteri- orly black at base; a metallic band on middle of back. Length, 4inches. (monacus, solitary.) An uncommon species, peculiar to the upper waters of the Tennessee basin in North Carolina, known from Swannanoa River at Asheville and Spring Creek at Hot Springs. 91. HYBOPSIS DISSIMILIS (Kirtland). Spotted Shiner. Luxilus dissimilis Kirtland, Boston Journal of Natural History, iii, 1840, 341, pl. iv, fig. 2; Mahoning River, Ohio, and Lake Erie near Cleveland, Ohio. Hybopsis dissimilis, Jordan, 1889b, 152; Swannanoa River and Spring Creek. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 318. Diaenosis.—Form long and slender, slightly compressed; depth .2 total length; head long, flat above, contained 4.5 times in total length; snout slightly projecting beyond mouth, SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 103 abruptly decurved; mouth small, horizontal, lower jaw included, upper jaw not extending to orbit; barbel shorter than pupil; eye large, .33 length of head, placed high on side of head; teeth, 4—4; lateral line straight; scales, 40 to 47 in lateral series, 11 in crosswise series, 16 to 18 before dorsal fin; dorsal large, 8 rays; anal small, 7 rays; caudal well forked. Color: back mottled green, sides silvery with bluish lateral band widened into dusky spots; dusky band through eyes and snout; fins unmarked. Length, 4 inches. (dissimilis, dissimilar.) Ranges from Lake Erie to Iowa and Arkansas, southward to the headwaters of the Tennessee in North Carolina. Not rare in Swannanoa River at Asheville and in Spring Creek at Hot Springs, where highly colored specimens, with very distinct blue-black spots on back and sides, were collected by Jordan in 1888. 92. HYBOPSIS LABROSUS (Cope). Thick-lipped Minnow. Ceratichthys labrosus Cope, 1870b, 458; Catawba River, in Macdowell and Burke counties, N. C. Hybopsis labrosus, Jordan, 1889b, 134, 138; Yadkin River and Pacollet River, 8. C., tributary of Santee. Jor- dan & Evermann, 1896, 319, Dracnosis.—Body slender, depth less than head and contained 5.5 times in total length; head contained 4 to 4.5 times in total length, top gently decurved to snout; mouth horizontal, slightly inferior, lips thick, maxillary extending as far as margin of orbit; eye contained 3.33 to 3.75 times in head and slightly less than interorbital space; teeth 1,4—4,1; barbels longer than in any other species, more than half diameter of eye; scales closely imbricated, 34 to 40 in lateral line, 8 to 10 in transverse line, 16 in front of dorsal; fins small; dorsal rays 8, length of first ray equal to half distance from fin to anterior édge of pupil, dorsal inserted over ventrals; anal rays 7 or 8; caudal deeply forked, peduncle long and slender. Color: males dark blue above, with black markings on back; a dark lateral streak, and a small round black spot on caudal base; in large examples, a dark patch on posterior rays of dorsal; females silvery, with pale blue streak- along sides of peduncle; males in spring with fins red and head and neck covered with tubercles, Length, 3 inches. (labrosus, thick-lipped.) Cope, in his original account of this species, said it was not uncommon on the bottom in clear and rapid creeks which flow into the upper waters of Catawba River, in the counties of Macdowell and Burke. Jordan found the species com- mon in Yadkin River near Salisbury. The fish resembles Phenacobius in having thick lips, and may be further recognized by the long barbels. 93. HYBOPSIS HYPSINOTUS (Cope). High-backed Minnow. Ceratichthys hypsinotus Cope, 1870b, 458; Catawba and Yadkin rivers. Hybopsis hypsinotus, Jordan, 1889b, 138; Pacollet River, S. C., tributary of the Santee. Jordan & Evermann 1896, 320. Diacnosis.—Form stout, robust, compressed, depth contained 3.75 times in total length; head short, broad, flat, its length equal to body depth; muzzle not prominent, mouth inferior, horizontal; maxillary extending to margin of orbit; lips thin; barbels small; eye contained 3.5 times in length of head and once in interorbital space; line of back rises gradually to first dorsal ray, then descends abruptly, so that base of fin is oblique, the fin margin vertical, the posterior ray less than half length of anterior; dorsal fin placed in advance of ventrals, its rays 8; anal rays 8; teeth 1,4—4,1; scales, 38 to 41 in lateral line, 4 or 5 above lateral line and 3 below. Color: silvery, with a double series of black specks along lateral line and a blackish lateral band; a dark line around snout between eyes; in breeding males, fins bright red, body with violet luster. Length, 3 inches. (hypsinotus, high-backed.) 104 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Inhabits only the headwaters of the Santee and Great Pedee basins. “Com- mon in creeks heading the Catawba River in Macdowell County, N. C., or tribu- tary to the Yadkin River in Roane County” (Cope). 94, HYBOPSIS AMBLOPS (Rafinesque). Silver Chub. Rutilus amblops Rafinesque, Ichthyologia Ohiensis, 51, 1820; Ohio River. Ceratichthys hyalinus Cope, Journal Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1868, 226; Holston River, Va. Cope, 1870b, 459; French Broad River, N. C. Hybopsis amblops, Jordan, 1889b, 152; Swannanoa River and Spring Creek Dracnosis.—Body rather slender, not. greatly compressed, stout anteriorly, depth .2 total length; head large, flat, broad, .25 total length; eye .33 length of head, longer than snout and longer than interorbital space; mouth small, somewhat inferior, horizontal, maxillary not reaching anterior margin of orbit; snout blunt; teeth 1,4—4,1; scales, 38 in lateral series, 9 in transverse series, 16 in front of dorsal; lateral line decurved. Color: green above, scales dark-edged; a silvery lateral band, this usually superimposed on a plumbeous or blackish band; a dark stripe through eye to snout. Length, 3 inches. (amblops, blunt-faced.) This species, which ranges from New York to Iowa and Alabama, is perhaps most numerous in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. It is commonin Swannanoa River near Asheville and in Spring Creek at Hot Springs. 95. HYBOPSIS KENTUOKIENSIS (Rafinesque). “Knotty-head’”’; ‘“Horny-head’”’; River Ohub. Luailus kentuckiensia Rafinesque, Ichthyologia Ohiensis, 48, 1820; Ohio River. Ceratichthys leptocephalus Girard, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1856, 213; Yadkin River, at Salem, N. C. Ceratichthys biguttatus, Cope, 1870b, 459, 494; Neuse, Yadkin, Catawba, and French Broad rivers. Hybopsis kentuckiensis, Jordan, 1889b, 126, 129, 134, 139, 152; Tar, Neuse, Yadkin, Catawba, and French Broad rivers. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Bean, 1903, 914; Cane River. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 322. Dracnosis.—Body stout, slightly compressed, little elevated, depth contained 4.25 times in length; head large, broad, .25 total length; snout conical, blunt; mouth large, nearly terminal, lower jaw slightly shorter, upper jaw not extending to margin of orbit; barbel well developed; eye placed rather high in the side of head; teeth variable, 4—4, 1,4—4,1, or 1,4—4,0; scales large, 40 in lateral series, 10 in transverse series, 18 before dorsal; lateral line decurved; dorsal fins placed slightly posterior to ventrals, rays 8; anal rays 7. Color: bluish-green above, scales dark-edged, coppery and green reflections on sides, white below; fins pale orange; spring males with a red spot on each side of head and lower parts rosy; top of head in adults swollen into a high crest, which is covered with tubercles; a dark caudal spot in young. (kentuckiensis, inhabiting Kentucky.) This is the commonest and most widely distributed of the species of Hybop- sis in North Carolina. It exists in most of the rivers which flow into the Atlantic and also in tributaries of the French Broad, preferring the larger streams and seldom entering small brooks. In 1904 specimens from a tributary of the Little Tennessee River in Macon County, North Carolina, were sent to the Bureau of Fisheries by Mr. D. P. Cabe, who reported that the fish was known in that section as “knotty-head” or “horny-head”. It reaches a length of 9 or 10 inches and is sometimes eaten. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 105 Specimens of this fish appearing as no. 12 on the fish register of the U. 8. National Museum were collected at Salem, in Forsyth County, by J. T. Lineback, in 1856, and were described by Dr. Girard as a new species under the name Ceratichthys leptocephalus. Genus CYPRINUS Linnzus. Carps. Large fresh-water fishes of Asia, with rather stout compressed body; mod- erate sized mouth, with thick, fleshy lips; broad molar pharyngeal teeth in several series; 2 barbels on each side of the maxillary; large cycloid scales; complete lateral line; large, thick-walled air-bladder; long dorsal fin, with a stout spinous anterior ray; short anal fin, the first ray spinous; and large, bilobed caudal fin. One species introduced into various parts of the world, and extensively cultivated. (Cyprinus, ancient name for the carp.) 96. CYPRINUS OARPIO Linnezus. “Carp”; ‘‘German Carp”’; Asiatic Carp. Cyprinus carpio Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 1758b, 320. Smith, 18938, pl. xlvii, 2 figs. Smith,1893a, 190, 199; Pasquotank and Roanoke rivers. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 201. Draenosis.—Depth contained about 3.5 times in length; head .25 length; snout blunt, .33 length of head; eye small, .15 length of head; mouth horizontal, the angle extending .5 distance between end of snout and anterior margin of eye; a short barbel at corner of mouth and a shorter one about middle of maxillary; lips full, sucker-like; teeth 1,1,3—3,1,1, with broad grinding surface; scales in lengthwise series 35 to 40, in transverse series 10 to 12, the nearly straight lateral line running about midway between dorsal and ventral profiles; alimentary canal long, pyloric appendages absent; air-bladder large, thick, with transverse constriction; dorsal fin beginning over ventrals, elevated anteriorly, the base .5 length of trunk, the rays 19 to 23 exclusive of rudiments, the first major ray being a stout spine with its posterior surface serrated; anal rays 6 or 7 besidesrudiments, the anterior a serrated spine; caudal fin broad, deeply notched. Color: variable but usually dull, dark green, darker above and lighter below; under parts sometimes yellow, asare also cheeks, lips, lower side of head, and iris; fins in general like adjacent parts of body. (carpio, carp.) Although the introduction of the carp into the United States from Europe was as recent as 1877, the species quickly became firmly established and is now the most generally distributed fish in this country.* The imported specimens whose progeny now exist in probably every state and territory (except Alaska) were brought over by the United States Fish Commission from Germany, where, as in other parts of Central Europe, the carp had been cultivated since the thir- teenth century. Long domestication and cultivation have resulted in the production of a number of races or varieties differing more or less strikingly from the typical form. Among those which are met with in the United States are (1) the scale carp, which differs the least from the original Asiatic type and is characterized by being uniformly covered with regularly arranged scales; (2) the mirror carp, with *An admirable review of the carp and the various questions connected with its acclimatization appears in the Report of the Bureau of Fisheries for 1904 under the title ‘The German Carp in the United States,” by Leon J. Cole. 106 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. greatly enlarged scales of irregular shape and arrangement, a pait of the body being bare; and (3) the leather carp, so-called from its thick, smooth, velvety skin, which is either entirely destitute of scales or has only a few along the back or belly. Fig. 31. ScaLe Carp; Asiatic Carp. Cyprinus carpio.~ The carp attains a relatively large size—examples weighing upwards of 60 pounds being known in Europe and of fully 40 pounds in the United States, although full sexual maturity is attained by the second or third year when the fish weigh only 3 or 4 pounds. Spawning occurs from April to June, according to latitude, the very small eggs being adhesive and becoming attached to any submerged objects, such as stones, sticks, and aquatic plants generally. Prior to and during the egg-laying each female may be attended by from 2 to6 males. The carp is extraordinarily prolific, the number of eggs laid ranging from several hundred thousand in a fish Fig. 32. Learaer Carp. Cyprinus carpio. of 4 or 5 pounds to upwards of 2 million in one weighing 15 or 20 pounds. The eggs hatch in 2 to 20 days, depending on the temperature of the water. By winter the young may exceed 7 inches in length and probably average 4 or 5 inches if food is sufficiently abundant. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 107 The introduction of the carp into North Carolina waters began in 1879 and was very successful, the fish soon becoming widely distributed and abundant. It is now well-known in all parts of the state, but is most plentiful in the warmer, more sluggish lowland waters. It can not be said’to have attained any great value as a market fish, although it is an item in the commercial fisheries of a dozen countries. In 1902, the quantity sold was 46,500 pounds, worth $2,100, the largest catch being credited to Washington, Martin, and Currituck counties. Here, as in many other states, the carp is of most importance for home consump- tion and as a food for other fishes. It is preéminently adapted for small, warm ponds, and it was brought to America primarily for stocking such waters, which often can not support any other fish life. By comparison with numerous native fishes, the carp is an inferior food; and in a state so well supplied with most desir- able food fishes as North Carolina, there is no reason to believe the carp will ever become popular. Order APODES. The Eels. The eels, or apodal fishes, constitute a large and interesting order with repre- sentatives in tropical and temperate waters of all parts of the world. Some of the species are very small, others are so large as to deserve the popular name of “sea-serpents”, The characters which distinguish them are, in addition to the elongate body, atrophied or absent premaxillary bones; absence of spines in the fins; isocercal tail; low and long dorsal and anal fins (if present); absence of ven- tral fins; comparatively small gill-openings; scales lacking or rudimentary; slightly developed scapular arch; increased number of vertebre; and various other skeletal pecularities. Of the dozen American families, 4 have local rep- resentatives and may be thus distinguished: Key to the North Carolina families of eels. i. Tongue present; pectoral fins present; gill-openings comparatively large, slit-like. a. Dorsal and anal fins confluent around the tail; pectoral fins well developed. b. Scales present, but embedded, linear in shape, and arranged in groups; species enter- e AMET RESH WA bE ax s:ci > “> ors ae NS S38 eS Fig. 120. Wuire Percu. Morone americana. This excellent little fish of the fresh, brackish, and salt waters of our east coast ranges from South Carolina to the maritime provinces of Canada. While essentially an anadromous species it is often landlocked in fresh water. 1ts most common and appropriate name is white perch, but in North Carolina it is called “silver perch”, “black perch”, or simply ‘‘perch”. In Albemarle Sound, it is more abundant and more valuable than the yellow perch, although scarcer than formerly; and in Currituck Sound it exists in greater abundance than any other commercial species, The average weight of those marketed is .5 to .75 of a pound, and the maximum weight is about 1.5 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 275 pounds. In Lake Mattamuskeet it is very numerous, attains a large size, and is the most highly prized and important fish there found. In New, Neuse, and other rivers of the southern part of the state the fish also abounds. The spawning season in Albemarle Sound begins between April 1 and 10 and continues for about 10 days. At that time there may be observed in the sound and its tributaries large numbers of white perch 2 to 3 inches long and doubtless a year old, which mix freely with the schools of minnows, silversides, and mullets. The white perch feeds on minnows, shrimps, and other animals. It is one of the best of American game fishes, and is a favorite with anglers; it takes the artificial fly readily, and also bites at minnows, worms, etc. As a pan fish it has few superiors, and is by many persons preferred to any other species. The annual catch of white perch in North Carolina in recent years has been about a million pounds. In 1902 the fishermen sold 941,000 pounds and received $62,666 therefor, most of this yield coming from the seine and pound-net fisheries, and nearly half of it being credited to Currituck Sound. Genus EPINEPHELUS Bloch. Groupers. A numerous genus of large marine food-fishes, inhabiting tropical and sub- tropical waters; some of them of considerable economic value. Form rather robust, compressed; mouth large, with a few large canine teeth in front of jaws, and with enlarged, depressible inner teeth in each jaw; maxillary large, supple- mental bone well developed and scaly; preopercle serrate; opercle with strong spines; gill-rakers short and few; scales small, ctenoid, those of lateral line tri- angular and cycloid; dorsal fins continuous, with 10 or 11 spines; anal spines 3, the second usually largest; caudal fin concave or rounded; pectorals rounded, short; ventrals close together, with a strong spine. Of the 12 or more: American species, 7 are known from the south Atlantic coast of the United States, and of these the following have been detected in North Carolina: i. Caudal fin rounded; second dorsal spine shorter than third or fourth; scales in lateral line 110 to 125; body marked by irregular dark cross-bars; vertical fins edged with yellow. striatus. it. Caudal fin concave; second dorsal spine as ee third or fourth; scales in lateral line 130 to 140; body without cross-bars; vertical fins edged with blue-black.......... morio. (Epinephelus, clouded over, in allusion to a membrane supposed to cover the eye.) 240. EPINEPHELUS STRIATUS (Bloch). Nassau Grouper; Hamlet. Anthias striatus Bloch, Ichthyologie, ix, 109, pl. 324, 1792; Martinique. Epinephelus striatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1157, pl. clxxxiii, fig. 483. Draenosis.—Form deep, slightly compressed, depth contained 2.8 times in total length; head pointed, contained about 2.5 times in length; mouth moderate, maxillary extending to posterior edge of eye; jaw teeth in bands, with 2 canines in front of each jaw; nostrils close together, of nearly same size; interorbital space contained 8.5 times in length of head; gill- rakers slender, 16 on lower arm of first arch; scales in lateral series 110 to 125, in transverse series 60 to 70; dorsal rays x1,17; anal rays 11,8; ventrals short; pectorals long. Color: above greenish gray, below paler; about 4 dark brown undulating cross-bars extending on dorsal 276 » FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. fin; a jet-black blotch on top of caudal peduncle; a dark stripe through eye and snout, another on median line of snout, which divides opposite eyes and extends backward to occiput; lower parts of head orange; a ring of small black spots around eye; edge of dorsals, anal, caudal, and ventrals yellow; pectorals light orange; ventrals blackish. (striatus, striped.) Aspecimen 4.25 inches long, taken in Beaufort harbor inthesummer of 1903, is probably referable to this species, although it may be one of several other species of which the young are not well known. This is a large West Indian species, common at Key West, and must occur only as a straggler in North Carolina, 241. EPINEPHELUS MORIO (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Red Grouper. Serranus morio Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, ii, 285, 1828; New York and San Domingo. Epinephelus morio, Yarrow, 1877, 211; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1160, pl. clxxxiv, fig. 485. , Diacnosis.—Form comparatively deep, depth contained 2.8 times in length; head large, .4 length of body; mouth large, maxillary extending beyond eye; jaw teeth in narrow bands, 2 small canines in front of each jaw, the lower pair smaller; eye rather large; nostrils small, of equal size; preopercle serrate, teeth at angle slightly enlarged; gill-rakers slender, 15 on lower arm of first arch; scales in lateral series 130 to 140, in transverse series 75 to 80; dorsal rays x1,16 or x1,17, the spines high, second twice length of first; anal rays 111,8 or 111,9, second spine stronger than third; ventrals short, not extending to vent; pectorals more than .5 length of head, reaching beyond tips of ventrals. Color: olive gray or brown, with paler clouds; head and breast salmon color; head with numerous small, round, brown dots; vertical fins of samé color as body; a broad ridge of black on soft dorsal, anal, and caudal, with narrow white edge; spinous dorsal black-edged; ventrals dusky; pectorals greenish. (morio, Moor.) Fig. 121. Rep Grouper. Epinephelus morio. This large and excellent grouper is an abundant inhabitant of the American coast from Brazil to Florida, and regularly extends its range for some distance north along the South Atlantic coast. It occurs as a straggler as far as Massa- chusetts, where the present writer has found it on several occasions in summer. Although Yarrow saw only one specimen at Beaufort, the species is probably to be found there every year. One specimen was taken in the laboratory seine in SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 277 1902, and fully 150 were collected in the summer of 1903, at Bird Shoal and Uncle Israel Shoal; only the young were noted. The red grouper is an important food fish at Key West, in the Gulf of Mexico, and southward, attaining a length of 3 feet; but in North Carolina it does not occur in sufficient abundance nor is it of large enough size to have any economic value. Genus MYCTEROPERCA Gill. Groupers. This genus contains many species of tropical marine food-fishes, mostly of large size, similar to Epinephelus but differing in cranial characters and in having a longer anal fin, longer body, larger mouth, etc. Head broad and concave between eyes, with strong lateral crests which extend forward to join the supra- ocular crest above eyes; lower jaw strongly projecting; scales chiefly cycloid; gill-rakers various; nostrils small, of equal size or with posterior pair enlarged. More than 20 American species, of which 6 are known from our south Atlantic coast. Three, as follows, occur as stragglers in North Carolina: i. Angle of preopercle salient, with enlarged teeth; developed gill-rakers on lower arm of first arch about 12; scales in lateral series about 140; caudal margin rather strongly con- CONG ores 80 aneierd yd Gpaa dua oid. tated asavenpimual dd Tcapae Mea Manon tide Pad MORNE eae heed microlepis. uw. Angle of preopercle not salient, the teeth scarcely enlarged. a. Developed gill-rakers on lower arm of first arch about 8; scales in lateral series about 125; caudal margin slightly concave ......... 0. 0c sce e eee cece e eee e en eeee venenosa. aa. Developed gill-rakers on lower arm of first arch about 10; scales in lateral series about 110; catidal margin straight « wes vai gale deseo dss a eiee. asa mee oes BOR Rass bonaci.- (Mycteroperca, nostril perch.) 242. MYOTEROPEROA MIOROLEPIS (Goode & Bean). ~ Gag. Trisotropis microlepis Goode & Bean, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1879, 141; west Florida, Mycteroperca microlepis, Jenkins, 1885, 11; Beaufort harbor. Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort harbor. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1177, pl. clxxxviii, fig. 494, Fig. 122. Gage. Mycteroperca microlepis. Diaenosis.—Body rather long, compressed, depth contained 3.5 times in total length; head long, pointed, contained 2.6 times in length; mouth large, maxillary reaching beyond eye; teeth in narrow bands, 2 canines in front of each jaw, the lower smaller; scales in lateral series 140 to 145, in transverse series 75 to 85; gill-rakers on lower arm of first arch about 12; dorsal rays x1,16 to x1,19, spines slender, third and fourth spines longest; anal rays 117,11; 278 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. caudal margin concave; pectorals .5 length of head, reaching beyond ends of ventrals. Color: variable; usually brownish gray above, paler below, with faint traces of darker spots; black mustache; dorsal dark green, edge of soft dorsal black; caudal black with bright blue shades, edge white; anal indigo blue with white edge; pectorals green; ventrals black, first ray white-tipped. (microlepis, small scaled.) The gag is found on both coasts of Florida, and ranges northward on the Atlantic coast as far as Beaufort, North Carolina. It reaches a weight of 50 pounds, and is a food-fish of considerable value in Florida, being abundant about the reefs. Dr. Yarrow’s collections at Beaufort in 1871 contained a number of specimens of this species now in the National Museum; they were not identified at the time, however, and are not included in Yarrow’s list of the fishes of Fort Macon and vicinity. The species was first recognized at Beaufort by Dr. Jenkins in 1885, when one specimen was obtained. Small examples have since been taken in Beaufort Harbor and vicinity on a number of occasions, about 20 being seined at Bird Shoal, Uncle Israel Shoal, and Newport River in July and August, 1902, these were from 2.75 to 8.5 inches long. In June, 1904, Mr. Barton A. Bean, while collecting specimens for the National Museum, obtained the young in Beaufort Harbor, but only in limited numbers. 2438. MYOTEROPEROA VENENOSA (Linnezus). Yellow-finned Grouper; Rock-fish. Perca venenosa Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 292, 1758; Bahamas. Mycteroperca venenosa, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1173, pl. clxxxvii, fig. 491. Dracnosis.—Body rather stout and not greatly compressed, depth .33 length; head large, blunt, .4 length of body; mouth large, maxillary extending beyond eye, nearly .5 length of head; jaw teeth in narrow bands, 2 well developed canines in each jaw; eye .14 length of head; interorbital space broad and flat, .2 head; scales small, mostly cycloid, about 125 in lengthwise series; vertical fins rather small; dorsal rays x1,16, second and tenth the same height, longest .33 head; anal rays 111,11; caudal margin slightly concave; pectorals rounded, extending beyond ventrals. Color: dark green above, bluish or pearly below; back and sides reticulated and blotched with light green; body and head covered with round yellowish brown spots; fins variegated. (venenosa, venemous or poisonous.) Known from North Carolina by 2 small specimensseined in Beaufort Harbor in the summer of 1902. The species reaches a length of 3 feet, and is common in southern Forida and the West Indies. 244, MYOTEROPEROA BONAOI (Poey). Black Grouper. Serranus bonaci Poey, Memorias sobre la Historia Natural de la Isla de Cuba, ii, 129, 1860; Cuba. Mycteropecra bonaci, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1174, pl. clxxxvii, fig. 492 (skull). Dracnosis.—Form rather long, depth contained 3.25 times in total length; head contained 2.75 times in length; mouth large, maxillary extending beyond eye; in each jaw 2 strong canine teeth: directed forward; scales in lateral series 120 to 125, in transverse series about 70; gill- rakers few and long, 10 to 12 on lower arm of first arch; dorsal rays x1,16 to x1,18, the spines weak and slender, third and fourth longest; anal rays m1,11 or 11,12, the fin high and rounded; caudal truncate; pectorals extending beyond tips of ventrals, which are short. Color: SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 279 orange brown, olive on back; sides and belly with gray reticulations surrounding round or oblong areas of ground color; reticulations on head bluish, the areas smaller; a line of 6 or 7 spots from eye to preopercle; dorsal and caudal mottled brown; anal with 2 or 3 rows of bluish spots, tip black; pectorals olive brown; ventrals black with blue rays. (bonaci, the Cuban name for this fish.) On the Atlantic coast north of Florida, this species is only a straggler from the West Indies, although it is abundant at Key West. The writer has reported it from Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where it was probably carried in the Gulf Stream. Three small specimens were seined in Beaufort Harbor in the summer of 1902, and several others were taken there in June, 1904. The fish attains a weight of 50 pounds, and is used for food. Genus CENTROPRISTES Cuvier & Valenciennes. Sea Basses. Bottom marine fishes, peculiar to the Atlantic coast of America, with robust, slightly compressed body, very large mouth, no supplemental bone, smooth tongue, weak canine teeth, serrate preopercle, long and slender gill-rakers, short dorsal fin, fleshy filaments on tips of dorsal spines, 3-lobed or double concave caudal, ventrals close together and in advance of pectorals. Of the 3 authentic species, 2 occur on the North Carolina coast and may be readily distinguished as follows: i. Tips of dorsal spines with short fleshy flaps; gill-rakers on lower arm 18; caudal fin rounded, with a produced ray at upper angle; color black or dark blue................ striatus. ii. Tips of dorsal spines with long hair-like processes; gill-rakers on lower arm 10; caudal fin deeply double-concave, with central and marginal rays much produced; color, greenish above, with dark cross-bars............ 0.0 cee e eee eee tenet eeee philadelphicus. (Centropristes, spine-saw.) 245. CENTROPRISTES STRIATUS (Linnezus). “Black-fish”’; “Bass’’; Sea Bass; Black Will (Va.). Labrus striatus Linnzeus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 285, 1758; ‘‘America’’. Perca atraria Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 485, 1766; Carolina. Centropristis atrarius, Yarrow, 1877, 211; off Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 380; Béaufort. Serranus atrarius, Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 89; Beaufort. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Centropristes striatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1199, pl. exe, fig. 500. Linton, 1905, 375; Beaufort. Diacnosis.—Form robust, back elevated, depth rather more than .33 total length; head large, thick, its length about equal to body depth; mouth oblique, lower jaw longer, maxillary broad, less than .5 length of head; jaw teeth in broad bands, canines small; eye .2 length of head; gill-rakers long, 18 below angle; preopercle finely serrate, angle and lower edge with larger teeth; scales in lateral series 55 to 60, in transverse series 20 to 25, 11 rows of scales on cheeks; dorsal rays x,11, the spines strong, longest .5 length of head; short dermal flaps on some of the spines; anal rays 111,7 or 111,8; pectorals very long, contained 1.25 times in length of head; ventrals a little shorter; upper caudal ray produced. Color: dark brown, black, or rich blue, more or less mottled and with pale longitudinal streaks; dorsal with lines of white spots, other fins dark. Male in breeding season develops a large nuchal or frontal hump and assumes a bright blue color; fins in male larger. (striatus, striped.) The sea bass, known in North Carolina as “black-fish” and “bass’’, is a northern species the southern limit of whose range is Florida. It is one of the 280 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. best known and more important salt-water fish between Massachusetts and South Carolina and supports a special fishery inten states. The largest fish weigh 6 pounds, but the usual weight is under 4 pounds. The species occurs abundantly off the coast of North Carolina, and is caught for market in various sections. It is common about jetties and on shelly and rocky bottoms, attaining the largest size and greatest abundance on the offshore reefs and banks. Dr. Coker contributes the following notes on the fish in the Beaufort region: The “black-fish’”’ has been an undeveloped resource at Beaufort, as the grounds along the coast were never regularly worked by the fishermen until the winter of 1903-4, when, in November, the enterprising Mr. George N. Ives, of Newbern, equipped a sharpie with a naph- tha motor and began fishing off New River In December, two Morehead fish dealers began sending naphtha launches to the “black-fish rocks” off Bear Inlet, about 30 miles below Beaufort. The boats which carry 4 men, who use hand lines, anchor in the inlet at night and run out to the “rocks,” 10 miles off shore, each suitable day, the trip lasting about a week. From Beau- fort similar fishing is done at Wrightsville and other points further southward. This fishery should increase in extent and prove very profitable, as the sea bass is an excellent fish, bearing shipment well and commanding good prices in the northern markets. Fig. 123. Sea Bass; Buacx-risu. Centropristes striatus.’ A special sea-bass ground surveyed by thesteamer Fish-Hawk in thesummer of 1902 lies 20.5 miles ssw. 4w. from the outer buoy on Beaufort Bar, and is covered with 13.5 fathoms of water. The bottom is of rough coral, with sea- fans and other growths such as are found on the coast of Florida, andisrich in animal life. On September 12 two hours were spent in handline fishing by the ship’s crew, and in that time there were caught about 700 sea bass, together with a few large grunts, 2 red snappers, and various small fish. On the ledges and banks lying off Cape Fear the “ black-fish”’ is caught from July to December, but, according to Mr. W. H. Yopp, of Wilmington, is not very abundant; the fish in that region run from .5 to 1.5 pounds, The sea bass feeds on the bottom, eating small fish, squid, crabs, and various other’ animals. lts mouth is very large, its teeth are formidable, and it is a voracious feeder. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 281 Spawning occurs in spring off the North Carolina coast, probably in May. The eggs, which float at the surface, are .04. inch in diameter, and hatch in 5 days in water of 59° or 60°F. The male during the spawning season develops a promi- nent hump on the nape and assumes a beautiful bright blue color. The young, which are common around the shores, have a broad black longitudinal stripe on the side. Fish 4 to 5 inches long are abundant in Beaufort Harbor in summer. The catch of sea bass in this state during 3 years was as follows: 1889— 28,900 pounds, $939; 1897—-189,225 pounds, $5,564; 1902—57,250 pounds, $1,929. The bulk of the product comes from Carteret and New Hanover coun- ties. 246. CENTROPRISTES PHILADELPHIOUS (Linnezus.) Rock Sea Bass. Perca philadelphica Linnzeus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 291, 1758; America. Perca trifurca Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 489, 1766; Carolina. Lutjanus tridens Lacépéde, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, iv, 246, 1802; Carolina. Serranus philadelphicus, Jenkins, 1887, 89; Beaufort. 3 Centropristes philadelphicus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1201, pl. exci, fig. 501. Fig. 124. Rock Sea Bass. Centropristes philadelphicus. Diacnosis.—Form rather elongate, depth contained 3.33 to 3.66 times in total length; head contained 2.75 times in length; maxillary extending to posterior edge of pupil; teeth in bands on jaws, some of them enlarged, a patch of teeth on vomer and on palatines; eye con- tained 4.75 times in head; preopercular margin serrate, the teeth enlarged on and below angle; subopercle and interopercle finely serrate; gill-rakers .5 length of eye, 10 below angle of first arch; scales strongly ctenoid, those in lateral series 50 to 55, in transverse series 20; scales on opercle of same size as those on body, in 8 or 9 rows; scales on cheeks smaller, in 9 to 11 rows; dorsal rays x,11, the spines with long hair-like processes, third and fourth spines longest and .5 length of head; anal rays 111,7; upper, middle and lower caudal rays elongated; pectoral long and broad, contained 1.3 times in length of head. Color: greeni:h above, white below; 6 or 7 broad brown bars on back and sides; upper part of head and snout with many brownish red spots and lines; upper lip reddish, tip of lower jaw purple; spinous dorsal translucent, with white and dusky streaks, a large black blotch on membranes between last spines, a few dark spots on spines; filaments on dorsal spines scarlet; soft dorsal with bluish white and reddish spots; caudal translucent, spotted like soft dorsal, with brownish red margin; anal white, with yellow streak and terminal black bar; ventrals whitish or blackish; pectorals plain. (Named after the city of Philadelphia, for no obvious 1eason.) 282 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. This species, which lives on rocky bottom in rather deep water off Charleston, South Carolina, is also known from the North Carolina coast at Beaufort. Dr. Jenkins obtained a few specimens in Beaufort Harbor in 1885. In the summer of 1902, 8 specimens were taken in a trawl by the steamer Fish-Hawk near the sea buoy off Beaufort Inlet; and 2 others, 4 inches long, were seined on Bird Shoal in Beaufort Harbor in 1903. The maximum size is about 1 foot. . Genus DIPLECTRUM Holbrook. Squirrel-fishes. Small American marine species, with preopercle armed with 2 clusters of strong spines; low dorsal fin, without elongated rays; deeply concave caudal fin; rounded pectorals; small scales, and top of head with a large bare area, Five known species, 1 found on the South Atlantic Coast. (Diplectrum, double spur.) 247, DIPLECTRUM FORMOSUM (Linnzus). Squirrel-fish. Perca formosa Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 488, 1766; Carolina. Diplectrum formosum, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1207, pl. exci, fig. 502. Fig. 125. Squirret-Fisu. Diplectrum formosum. Discnosis.—Body elongate, depth contained 3.4 times in total length; head contained 3.33 times in length; mouth large, maxillary extending to pupil, lower jaw the longer; eye .2 length of head, shorter than snout; preopercle with finely serrate upper margin and 2 patches of divergent spines; gill-rakers 14 or 15 below angle of first arch; scales in lateral series 80 to 90, in transverse series 30; numerous rows of scales on cheeks and opercles; dorsal rays x,12, all low, the longest .5 head; anal rays 11,7, soft rays of uniform length, the spines shorter and weak; caudal concave. Color: dull, light brownish above, white below; 7 or 8 rather broad dark cross-bands, 3 or 4 dark longitudinal stripes, 8 narrow blue longitudinal stripes; head yel- low, with 5 or 6 wavy blue stripes below eye; 5 narrow blue cross-bars between eyes; dark spot at base of caudal; dorsal yellowish green with 2 median blue cross-lines which torm ocelli pos- teriorly; caudal like dorsal; other fins white. (formosum, handsome.) This beautiful little serranid, which ranges as far south as Uruguay, has not heretofore been recorded north of Charleston, South Carolina. In the summer of 1903, 4 young specimens were caught in the laboratory seine in Beaufort Harbor. The species is usually found on sandy shores, takes the baited hook readily, reaches a length of a foot, and is a good food fish. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 283 Genus DULES Cuvier. In this genus the body is deep and compressed, the caudal fin is square; and the branchiostegals number only 6. Three species are known, 1 South American, 1 West Indian, and the following. (Dules, slave, “the fish being under the lash of the long dorsal spine”’.) 248. DULES SUBLIGARIUS (Cope). Centropristes subligarius Cope, Proceedings Academy of Sciences of-Philadelphia, 1870, 120; Pensacola. Serranus dispilurus, Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Serranus subligarius, Jenkins, 1887, 89; Beaufort, Dules subligarius, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1218; Beaufort, ete. Diacnosis.—Depth contained 2.66 times in total length; head long, low, .4 length; mouth small, maxillary extending to posterior edge of pupil; teeth small canines, not well developed; eye .25 length of head; preopercle sharply serrate; gill-rakers 6 or 8, short; scales in lateral series about 42, in transverse series 23; 10 series of scales on cheeks; no scales on jaws, preorb- ital, and front of head; dorsal rays x,13; anal rays 11,7, second spine longer and stouter than third; caudal truncate. Color: olivaceous, tinged with brown, pale below; scales on sides with black margin; 5 very distinct dark cross-bars posteriorly; a large cream-colored blotch on side anterior to vent; a black ring around peduncle; a large black blotch on soft dorsal; cheeks yellow; head brown below; a net-work of wavy blue lines on branchiostegals, lower jaw, and interopercle; dorsals mottled; ventrals faintly barred; other fins grayish with blackish bars. (subligarius, truss-wearing, in allusion to the light blotch on each side near vent.) This small fish is known from the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, and has usualy been taken indeep water. Dr. Jenkins, in 1885, took several young specimens in Beaufort Harbor in eel-grass. The Fish-Hawk dredged 3 specimens 20.5 miles from the sea buoy off Beaufort Inlet in 13.5 fathoms on September 12, 1902 (station 7344). Family LOBOTIDA. Triple-tails. This family, which contains only one species, a large, widely distributed marine fish, is related to the sea basses (Serranide), Body oblong, compressed; dorsal fin continuous, the spinous part longer than the soft; anal spines 3, the soft part opposite and similar to the soft dorsal; skull broad anteriorly, the eyes placed far forward, the snout short Genus LOBOTES Cuvier. Triple-tails or Flashers. Back elevated; caudal peduncle short and deep; upper profile of head slightly concave; mouth of moderate size, lips thick, upper jaw protractile, lower jaw projecting; bands of conical teeth in jaws, a row of larger conical teeth in front, vomer and palatines toothless; preopercle serrate; air-bladder present; pyloric cceca 3; body and head covered with ctenoid scales, which extend on the fleshy bases of the soft dorsal and anal fins; soft rays of the dorsal and anal elongated, extending backward, and producing with the rounded caudal a three-lobed effect. (Lobotes, lobed.) 284 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 249. LOBOTES SURINAMENSIS (Bloch). “Steamboat’’; Triple-tail; Flasher; Sea Perch (S. 0.); Black Perch (S. C.). Holocentrus surinamensis Bloch, Ichthyologie, pl. 243, 1790; Surinam. Lobotes surinamensis, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1235, pl. exciv, fig. 510. Disanosis.—Depth variable, averaging .5 length; head .3 length; maxillary heavy, extend- ing to pupil; eye about equal to snout and contained 6 times in head; scales in lateral series about 55, those about eye very fine, those on opercle large; dorsal rays xu,15 or x11,16, the fifth spine longest; anal rays 111,11, the third spine longest; pectorals short, rounded, .5 length of head; ventrals longer than pectorals. Color: dull black above, silvery gray on sides and below; fins dusky; sides and fins sometimes with small yellowish blotches. (surinamensis, inhabiting Surinam.) PRUNING REN rr RGR A SRSAEOG Eg Ma MAREE ENRON NASR ys ANN ne SAR SSNS DOTY \) ae a aoe Soe ao on ia Ku SS oa eo cS aa ie at 2 oe oo ae = oe oS Stee LP oo oa Ez eS ee Bz i 3 prac eo ate ex Fig. 126. Tripue-rait; Fuasuer. Lobotes surinamensis. This large, easily recognized species, which inhabits all warm seas, is found on the Atlantic coast of the United States as far north as Massachusetts, but is not common anywhere. It attains a length of 3 feet. There appear to be no published North Carolina records, and the specimens known to have been taken in the state are few. One 25 inches long, now in the State Museum at Raleigh, was collected in Carteret County in 1892 by Mr. H. H. Brimley, who reports that the species is called “steamboat” by the fishermen of Wilmington. Another specimen, 23 inches long, now in the laboratory, was taken in Beaufort Harbor in September, 1903. Mr. S. G. Worth states that he had an 11-pound fish from Beaufort several years ago which was served on his table; the meat was firm, white, and flaky like that of a sheepshead, and was well- flavored. A laboratory specimen 3.5 inches long taken in Beaufort Harbor in the summer of 1902 has a broad white margin on the caudal fin and white pectorals. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 285 Family PRIACANTHIDA, The Catalufas. A sharply defined family of tropical, carnivorous fishes, with compressed, oblong or ovate body; deep head; large, oblique mouth, having minute teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; protractile premaxillaries, broad maxillary without supplemental bone; large eye, with diameter nearly .5 length of head; post- orbital part of head much shortened, opercle with 2 or 3 pointed flaps; preopercle serrate; gills 4, gill-rakers long, gill-membranes separate, and not joined to isthmus; pseudobranchie very well developed; entire body, head, snout, and maxillary covered with small rough scales; lateral line present, continuous; air- bladder large; pyloric cceca few; dorsal fin continuous, with 10 spines and 9 to 15 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 9 to 14 soft rays; pectorals rather small; ventrals large, thoracic, inserted anterior to pectorals and joined to abdomen by amembrane. ‘Two genera, both represented in American waters but only 1 in North Carolina, although the other (Priacanthus) may be looked for, as 1 species has been taken as a straggler as far north as Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Genus PSEUDOPRIACANTHUS Bleeker. Big-eyes. Small deep-water fishes with very deep body; very rough scales; strongly arched lateral line; 2 small spines at angle of preopercle; dorsal and anal fins with strong rough spines. (Pseudopriacanthus, false Priacanthus.) 250. PSEUDOPRIACANTHUS ALTUS (Gill). Short Big-eye. Priacanthus altus Gill, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1862, 132; Narragansett Bay, R. I. Pseudopriacanthus altus, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 1239, pl. excev, fig. 512. Draenosis.—Depth about .5 length, least depth of caudal peduncle .25 depth of body; head very short, less than .3 length; mouth nearly vertical, the broad maxillary extending to middle of pupil; eye very large, .5 length of head and more than twice length of snout; scales ctenoid, number in lateral series 42; dorsal fin high, the rays x,11, the longest spine .66 length of head; anal rays 111,11, the longest spine (third) .5 head; caudal margin square; pectorals .6 head; ventrals as long as head and extending to first anal spine. Color: lustrous crimson, the back dark; fins black-edged except pectorals. (altus, high.) The short big-eye is a beautiful West Indian species which sometimes strays northward and is occasionally taken in considerable numbers as far as southern Massachusetts. The largest recorded specimen, 11 inches long, was taken at Charleston, S.C. The only North Carolina example thus far known was .5 inch long and was obtained by the steamer Fish-Hawk off Beaufort on August 14, 1902. Family LUTIANIDA. The Snappers. The snappers constitute a very numerous family of warm-water shore fishes, nearly all of them being food fishes and some of great economic importance in the United States and other countries. Form mostly oblong, compressed; head large, with conspicuous crests on skull; mouth usually large, terminal, low, well 286 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. supplied with teeth on jaws and usually on vomer and palatines; premaxillaries moderately protractile; maxillaries long, slipping under a sheath formed by the preorbital; supplemental bone absent; opercles without spines, preopercles serrate or entire; gill-arches 4; gill-rakers short, moderate, or long; gill-membranes separate and not joined to isthmus; pseudobranchie conspicuous; air-bladder present; intestines short; pyloric cceca few; lateral line present; scales ctenoid, of moderate size, adherent, and completely covering body and usually sides of head; dorsal fin single or double, with 10 or 12 rather strong spines; anal similar to posterior dorsal, with 3 spines; caudal concave or forked, pectorals long and pointed; ventrals thoracic, the rays 1,5, with modified scales at base. Of the 15 American genera only one, J.utianus (or Neomanis) is represented in the state, although several others, which occur on the coast of South Carolina and Florida, may be looked for. Genus LUTIANUS Bloch. Snappers. A numerous genus of cosmopolitan distribution, characterized by an oblong, compressed body with moderately elevated back; a long, pointed head; a large mouth, well supplied with bands of villiform teeth in jaws, 2 to 4 canine teeth in front of upper jaw, and bands or patches of teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue (in adult); preopercle finely serrate; gill-rakers few and moderately long; scales deficient on top of head except for an oblique band on nape; lateral line concur- rent with dorsal outline; dorsal fin single, the spines 10 or 11; anal-rays 7 to 9. Upwards of 20 American species, of which 4 have thus far been detected in North Carolina. Key to North Carolina snappers.* 1. No black spot on side, young with dark cross bands; anal fin rounded, its middle rays less than .5 length of head; caudal with concave margin. a. Depth contained 2.75 to 3 times in length; mouth large, maxillary .4 length of head; scales in lateral series about 50; 7 oblique series of scales between dorsal and lateral line; pectoral short, less than .66 length of head; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal blackish. iseus. aa. Depth contained 2.5 times in length; mouth smaller, maxillary .33 length Gf head: scales in lateral series about 43; 5 or 6 oblique series of scales between dorsal and lateral line; pectorals longer, more than .66 length of head; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal orange or yellow..... isis ops DeReatnbMer rv ou axnubyese GhaGhcng Wickahe: CLMNIG a ckidieh des Mate aan adie apodus. wi. A black blotch on side, either permanent or growing fainter with age, young without dark cross bands; anal fin angulated, the middle rays much more than .5 length of head; caudal fin forked. b. Lingual teeth well developed, in a broad patch; color nearly uniform rose red. blackfordi. bb. Lingual teeth few, in a narrow patch; color greenish above, with dark cross bands, numerous oblique streaks, and a persistent black spot on side................ analis. (Lutianus, a latinization of a Malayan name for one of the snappers.) 251. LUTIANUS GRISEUS (Linneus). Gray Snapper; Mangrove Snapper. Labrus griseus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed, x, 283, 1758. Neomenis griseus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1255. * The key is based on adult characters SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 287 Disenosis.—Body rather elongate, depth contained about 3 times in length; length of head somewhat greater than depth; maxillary extending as far as pupil; snout pointed, con- tained 3 times in length of head; eye small, a little more than .2 length of head; gill-rakers short and thick, about 8 on lower arm of first arch; scales large, about 50 in lateral series, 7+ 12 in transverse series, 7 rows on cheek, 7 rows on opercle, and 3 rows on temporal region; dorsal rays x,14, the fourth spine largest; anal rays 11,8; caudal slightly concave; pectorals short, contained about 1.6 times in head; ventrals shorter than pectorals. Color: dark green above, coppery red below, with dark lengthwise streaks corresponding with rows of scales; spinous dorsal blackish with red edge; soft dorsal dusky, with white edge anteriorly; anal reddish, with white margin: caudal reddish black; pectorals and ventrals pale. (griseus, gray.) The gray snapper is abundant in Florida and the West Indies, often being seen on sandy shores and on the edges of mangrove swamps; it also ascends fresh-water streams. Stragglers, usually young, have been found in Chesa- peake Bay, on the New Jersey coast, at Woods Hole, Mass., and at other points on the Atlantic seaboard. Four small examples were seined at Beaufort in the summer of 1902. The species reaches a weight of 15 to 18 pounds, but averages less than 5 pounds; and is a food fish of considerahle value in Florida. . 252. LUTIANUS APODUS (Walbaum). Schoolmaster. Perca apoda Walbaum, Artedi Genera Piscium, 351, 1792. Neomenis apodus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1258, pl. exevii, fig. 515. Diacnosis.—Body rather deep, the depth .4 length; length of head equal to depth; max- illary extending to front of orbit; 4 canine teeth in front of upper jaw; snout very long and pointed, more than .3 length of head; gill-rakers short and thick, about 9 on long arm of first arch; scales rather large, 42 to 45 in lateral series, 6+13 in transverse series, 7 rows on cheeks and 7 on opercles; dorsal rays x,14; anal rays 11,8; caudal slightly forked; pectorals .75 length of head; ventrals .5 lengths of head. Color: dark greenish above, orange on sides and below, with 8 or 9narrow pale bluish vertical bars; head greenish above, bright orange on sides; all fins orange, the dorsal with blue spots; young with a distinct blue stripe below eye, usually lacking in adult. (apodus, without feet, the species having been based on a drawing in which the pectoral fins were omitted.) This snapper, whose regular range is from Florida to Brazil, occasionally strays to the northeast coast, young examples having been taken at Woods Hole, Mass., by the writer. In the summer of 1902 one small specimen was seined in Beaufort Harbor, and on September 25, 1905, another 2 inches long was taken at the wharf on Pivers Island, Beaufort, these being the only North Carolina records. The maximum weight of this species is 7 or 8 pounds and the average 2 or 3 pounds. i 253. LUTIANUS BLACKFORDI Goode & Bean. “Red Snapper’. Lutjanus blackfordi Goode & Bean, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1876, 176; Pensacola, Fla. ? Bodianus aya Bloch, Ichthyologie, 227, 1790; Brazil. Neomenis aya, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1264, pl. exevii, fig. 516. Diaenosis.—Body rather deep, depth contained 2.6 times in length, back elevated; head large, its length equal to body depth, superior profile straight from snout to nape; mouth large, 288 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. maxillary not extending beyond front of orbit; a broad patch of teeth on tongue, in addition to the usual teeth in jaws; snout contained 2.8 times in head; eye less than .2 length of head; gill-rakers .5 diameter of eye, 8 on lower arm of first arch; scales in lateral series 60, in trans- verse series 8+-15, 6 rows on cheek, 7 on opercle; dorsal rays x,14, the fourth and fifth spines longest; anal rays 111,9, the middle rays very long; caudal slightly forked; pectorals pointed, .8 length of head, extending to or beyond front of anal fin; ventrals .5 to .6 length of head. Color: rich rose red, paler below; a black spot, disappearing with age, above lateral line under anterior rays of soft dorsal; fins mostly brick red. (Named for the late Eugene G. Blackford, of New York City.) . Fig. 127. Rep Snapper. Lutianus blackfordi. This important food fish of the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies has occasionally been found as far north as Woods Hole, in southern Massachusetts. The fish caught for market are from 1 to 3 feet long, and several million pounds are taken annually with lines in the Gulf of Mexico and sent all over the United States. The Fish-Hawk took several specimens of this species while line-fishing on the black-fish grounds off Beaufort in September, 1902, and at least 5 young examples were seined on the beach at Cape Lookout and in Beaufort Harbor in the summers of 1902 and 1903. The species, however, will probably not be found in sufficient numbers on the grounds lying off North Carolina to make it a product of any economic value, although in the extensive seine fisheries formerly conducted in the ocean at Cape Lookout examples were sometimes caught. The State Museum at Raleigh contains a specimen from Cape Lookout presented by Mr. George N. Ives. The species becomes more common toward the southern part of the coast, and is said to be taken in considerable numbers on the “snapper banks”’ lying off Cape Fear. 254. LUTIANUS ANALIS (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Mutton-fish. Mesoprion anafis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, ii, 452, 1828; San Domingo. Neomenis analis, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1265, pl. excviii, fig. 517. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 289 Diagnosis.—Depth of body .37 length, back somewhat elevated; length of head equal to depth; a small narrow patch of teeth on middle of tongue, usual teeth in jaws; maxillary not extending to front of eye; snout long and pointed, contained 2.6 in head; eye small, contained 3 times in snout and 6 times in length of head; interorbital space equal to diameter of eye; gill-rakers .5 length of eye, 8 on long arm of first arch; scales in lateral series about 67, in trans- verse series 10+17, 7 rows on cheeks and about 9 on opercles; dorsal fin low, the rays x,14, fourth spine longest, ninth and tenth soft rays longest; anal fin angulated, the rays 11,8; caudal broad, forked; pectorals extending about to anal Color: above lateral line dark green with oblique lines of blue spots; sides bluish; belly white tinged with red; back and sides with 6 to 8 dark narrow vertical stripes wider than spaces between them; head bronze green, darker above, a pearly streak under eye from snout to gill-opening; a blue streak from eye to nostrils; iris bright red; a small, persistent lateral blotch immediately above lateral line under first dorsal soft rays, anal, caudal, pectorals, and ventrals brick red, the caudal with a narrow black margin; dorsal yellowish with reddish markings. (analis, relating to anal fin, which has long rays.) Fig. 128. Murron-riso. Lutianus analis. This snapper is common from the east coast of Florida to Brazil, and is a food fish of some importance, reaching a weight of 25 pounds. Stragglers have been found at Woods Hole, Mass., and may be looked for at allintervening points. It has been taken on the North Carolina coast at Beaufort, where 10 small specimens were seined at Bird Shoal and Uncle Israel Island in the summer of 1902. Family HEMULID®. The Grunts, A numerous family of small or moderate-sized carnivorous fishes inhabiting temperate and tropical shores, important as food in Florida, West Indies, and elsewhere. They are related to the snappers on one hand and the porgies on the other. Body outline varying from oblong to ovate; head large, the skull with conspicuous crests; mouth variable, terminal, low, horizontal; premaxillaries protractile; maxillary slipping under margin of preorbital, no supplemental bone; jaw teeth pointed, none canine, no teeth on tongue, vomer, or palatines; opercle destitute of spines, preopercle entire or serrate; gill-arches 4; gill-membranes not united, free from isthmus; gill-rakers in moderate number; branchiostegals 6 or 7; body covered with adherent ctenoid or cycloid scales; sides of head scaly; 290 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. lateral line continuous, concurrent with dorsal outline; air-bladder present; pyloric ececa few; intestinal canal short; dorsal fin usually continuous, sometimes divided into 2 separate parts, the spines 10 to 12; anal similar to soft dorsal, the spines 3; caudal margin more or less concave; pectorals well developed; ventrals thoracic, the rays 1,5, a scaly appendage at base. All the species make a grunt- ing noise by means of the air-bladder, whence the names grunt, pig-fish, and hog-fish, by which these fish are commonly known. There are about 15 Amer- ican genera, of which 3 are represented on the North Carolina coast by a single representative each, Key to the North Carolina genera of grunts. t. Anal fin long, the rays 111,10 to 111,13; mouth small, its inside not scarlet; vertical soft fins either naked or scaled only at base............. eee ee cee eee eee OrTHOPRISTIS. wt. Anal fin shorter, the rays 11,7 or 111,8; mouth large, its inside scarlet; vertical soft fins densely scaled from base to margin. a. Dorsal spines 12; 10 to 14 gill-rakers on lower limb of first arch; second anal spine much longer than third sis. cctisa say oad Lei tee ieee. ee ana dames ss H@MouLon. aa. Dorsal spines 13; 12 to 18 gill-rakers on lower limb of first arch; second anal spine scarcely longer than third. ...... 2.0... e eee cece cee eee ete BATHYSTOMA. Genus ORTHOPRISTIS Girard. Pig-fishes. Rather small fishes with oblong, compressed body, elevated back, com- pressed head, small mouth, teeth in bands in jaws, rather small scales, single dorsal fin with a slight notch, 12 or 13 slender dorsal spines, 15 or 16 short soft rays, rather long anal fin with 3 small spines and 10 to 13 soft rays, and naked or partly scaled vertical fins. About half a dozen known species from Atlantic © and Pacific coasts of America. (Orthopristis, straight saw, in allusion to the evenly serrated preopercle.) 255. ORTHOPRISTIS CHRYSOPTERUS (Linnezus). “Pig-fish”’; “Hog-fish’’; Sailor’s Choice (S.0.). Perca chrysoplera Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 485, 1766; Charleston. Orthopristis fulvomaculatus, Yarrow, 1877, 211; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 379; Beaufort. Orthopristis chrysopterus, Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1338, pl. cex, fig. 541. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Linton, 1905, 376; Beaufort. Pomadasys fulvomaculatus, Goode, 1884, 398; Beaufort. LEarll, 1887, 493; banks off Wiimington. Diacnosis.—Form ovate, compressed, the back strongly arched, depth 4 length; head contained 3 times in length; mouth small, low, with a narrow band of slender teeth in each jaw; maxillary short, a little more than half length of head; vertical limb of preopercle straight and nearly entire; gill-rakers short, 7+ 12 on first arch; scales in lateral series 60, in transverse series 10+ 20, those above lateral line in oblique rows, those bélow in horizontal rows; top of head, opercles, and cheeks scaled; snout and jaws naked; a scaly sheath at base of dorsal and anal spines; dorsal fin continuous. with scarcely any notch separating the two parts, the rays x11,16 or x111,16, longest spines (third and fourth) .4 length of head, longest rays shorter than longest spines; anal rays 111,12 or 111,13, the length of rays similar to those in soft dorsal; caudal forked, upper lobe longer; pectorals pointed, .8 length of head; ventrals .66 length of head. Color: dull light blue, becoming silvery below; edges of scales orange-brown, this color forming narrow stripes which are oblique above lateral line and horizontal below; snout and part of upper lip sky-blue; various bronze spots on snout and side of head; inside of mouth pale; dorsal clear, with bronze spots; anal whitish. with bronze base and dusky edge; caudal yellow, with dusky margin; other fins yellow; peritoneum black. (hrysopterus golden-finned.) PLATE 13 N. C. GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY oo 8 HAOHY (SNYSLdOSAYHD SILSINGDOHLYO) HSIS-DOH YO HSI4-Did SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 291 From Chesapeake Bay to Mexico this species is more or less abundant on sandy shores; the young are found in numbers as far north as New York. The “pig-fish” or “hog-fish” is one of the commonest food fishes of the North Carolina coast, occurring in all the sounds and salt-water estuaries, and also on the outlying banks, At Beaufort it is abundant, and is present through- out the year. The spawning season is Mayand June. While the fish reaches a length of 15 inches, those caught in North Carolina do not average more than 8 or 10 inches. The stomachs of 42 adult hog-fish examined by Dr. Coker between June 15 and July 19, 1904, contained for the most part annelids of various kinds (Axio- thea, Diopatra, Cerebratulus, and mutilated parts resembling Rhyncobolus and Arenicola; also pectinarian sand-tubes). Solenomya shells were very commonly present, and in one case apart of the body of the mollusk. Amphipods of various species were also often found to constitute an article of diet. The forms Sate ae a oe i sane A ct i : ye m - Fig. 129. Pic-risH; Hoa-risu. Orthopristis chrysopterus. found only 2 or 3 times were (Gebia large and small), parts of young common blue crabs, and fragments of ophiurans. In single fishes there were nematode worms, small ascidians, eggs and young of the horse-shoe crab, abdomen of her- mit crab, an isopod, and fragments of grass. The stomachs of six hog-fish 2 to 4 inches long seined at Town Marsh were full of small shrimps. The “hog-fish” is one of the leading food fishes of the state, and is caught for market with hand-lines and seines, the most extensive fishing being carried on in the Beaufort region, in Pamlico Sound in Hyde County, and on the coast of New Hanover County. At Beaufort it is one of the most important fishes, find- ing a ready market in North Carolina and at Norfolk, Petersburg, and other points. The entire catch for sale is now disposed of fresh, but at one time the fish were mostly salted and sold in Baltimore. Many are still salted in fall for local consumption. The fish is considered of much finer quality in fall—in 292 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. October and later—than earlier; and a striking difference in quality is said to be noticed in fish from different localities—the Bogue Sound fish being distinctly superior to those from Harker Island in Cove Sound, and those from Neuse River still better. The hog-fish catch of North Carolina in 1902 was 191,670 pounds, for which the fishermen received $6,677, an average of 3.4 cents per pound; in 1890 it amounted to 256,520 pounds, worth $7,971, an average of 3.1 cents per pound. The largest catch is made in New Hanover County. Genus HA MULON Cuvier. Grunts. Small American shore fishes, some of them highly colored; some very important as food fishes in southern Florida. Body oblong, compressed, back more or less elevated, mouth large; maxillary long and extending to below eye; lower jaw included; preopercle finely serrate; rows of scales not parallel with lateral line; junction of spinous and soft parts of dorsal fin marked by a notch; dorsal spines 11 or 12; second anal.spine very large; caudal forked; caudal fin and soft parts of dorsal and anal fins densely scaled from base to tip; lips and inside of mouth bright red. About 12 species, of which only 1 ranges northward to the North Carolina coast. (Hemulon, bloody gum.) 256. HAAMULON PLUMIERI (Lacépéde). “Snapper”; “Grunt’’; Black Grunt (S. O.). Labrus plumieri Lacépede, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, iii, 480, pl. 2, fig. 2, 1802; Martinique, Hemulon arcuatum, Yarrow, 1877, 211; Beaufort (identification doubtful). Diabasis formosus, Earll, 1887, 493; black-fish banks off Wilmington. Hemulon plumieri, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1305, pl. cev, fig. 532; Cape Hatteras to Rio Janeiro. Fig. 130. Grunt. Hemulon plumieri. Disenosis.—Body somewhat elongate, elevated at shoulders, depth about .4 length; head large, about equal to depth, upper profile slightly concave; mouth large, maxillary extend- ing as far as pupil, .5 length of head; teeth strong, in rather broad bands; snout long, about 2.5 times diameter of eye; eye small, .16 to 20 length of head; gill-rakers short, about 12+15 on SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 293 first arch: scales in lateral series 50, in transverse series 8+17, those above lateral line larger and in irregular and oblique rows; those below in oblique rows; dorsal rays x11,16, the spinous part much higher than soft, the longest spine (third or fourth) equal to snout; anal rays 11,8, the second spine twice diameter of eye, the soft rays longer than those in soft dorsal; caudal rather deeply forked; pectorals pointed, .66 length of head; ventrals .6 head. Color: bluish gray, bases of scales with greenish bronze spots forming oblique lines; head golden with num- erous sharply defined narrow sky-blue stripes mostly horizontal, 3 or 4 of the stripes extending to anterior part of back: inside of mouth bright orange; fins all grayish, spinous part of dorsal with yellow margin; anal tinged with yellow, ventrals with blue luster. (Named for Father Plumier, who more than 200 years ago sent drawings of Martinique fishes to Europe.) This grunt is found from North Carolina to Brazil, and is abundant on the lower part of the South Atlantic coast. At Key West it is more abundant than all other grunts combined, and it is also quite common on the coast of South Carolina. The largest fish are 18 inches long, but the average is under 1 foot. This species doubtless occurs regularly on the various banks lying off the North Carolina coast, and Mr. Earll noted the species as one of those caught in the summer line-fishing off Wilmington, Yarrow said of this fish at Beaufort: “Very abundant in early spring and summer, generally found in marshy creeks inside of inlet; size 4 to 8 inches.’’ There is considerable doubt, however, as to the species Yarrow had in mind, and Jordan & Gilbert believed that his remarks referred to the pig-fish (Orthopristis). Mr. W. H. Yopp, of Wilmington, in November, 1905, forwarded to the writer 2 grunts of this species that had recently been caught on the “snapper banks’’ off Cape Fear; the specimens were 11.5 and 12.5 inches long. The fish is known as “snapper’’ in the Wilmington market and among the local fishermen, and is caught in considerable quantities from May to October. The market fish weigh from half a pound to 1.5 pounds, and bring the fishermen about 2.5 cents a pound, Genus BATHYSTOMA Scudder. Tom-tates. Similar to Hemulon and perhaps scarcely separable therefrom, but with the dorsal spines definitely 13. Body rather elongate, back very little elevated, mouth large and low, eye large, gill-rakers on first arch rather numerous (12 to 18 on lower limb), preopercle not serrate, inside of mouth red. Three known species, with center of abundance in the West Indies, one found as far north as Cape Hatteras. (Bathystoma, low mouth.) 257. BATHYSTOMA RIMATOR (Jordan & Swain). “Grunt”; Tom-tate; Red-mouthed Grunt. Hemulon rimator Jordan & Swain, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1884, 308; Charleston, Key West, and Pensacola. Jordan & Fesler, Review of the Sparoid Fishes of America and Europe, 477, 1893; refers to specimens from North Carolina. Diabasis chrysopterus, Earll, 1887, 493; black-fish banks off Wilmington. Bathystoma rimator, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1308, pl. cevi, fig. 534. Diaenosis.—Form moderately elongate, back slightly elevated, depth about one-third length; head about equal to depth; mouth large, maxillary extending to middle of eye, .5 length of head; teeth in bands, rather weak; snout somewhat more than .33 length of head; eye large, 294 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. .25 length of head; vertical limb of preopercle straight, entire; gill-rakers short, about 11+16 on first arch: scales in lateral series about 50, in transverse series 7+ 13; scales above lateral line in oblique rows, those below in horizontal series; top of head, opercles, and cheeks scaly; dorsal fin notched, the rays x111,14, the longest spine (fourth) .5 length of head; anal rays 111,8, the second spine but slightly longer than third and contained 2.6 times in head; caudal widely forked, upper lobe longer; depth of caudal peduncle less than length of snout; pectorals .66 length of head; ventrals .8 length of pectorals. Color: generally silvery, back bluish; scales with yellow edges, these spots forming longitudinal lines oblique above, horizontal below; a narrow yellow stripe from a point over eye to posterior base of dorsal fin; another broader yellow stripe from snout to base of caudal; a round black spot at base of caudal; head yellowish above; mouth red inside; fins colorless or slightly yellow; young with a number of bronze longi- tudinal stripes on sides and head, the caudal spot more distinct. (rimator, an inquirer.) Fig. 131. Grunr; Tom-rare. Bathystoma rimator. The tom-tate or red-mouth grunt, which reaches a length of 1 foot, is abundant at Charleston, South Carolina, and ranges. thence through the West Indies. It will doubtless prove to be common on the southern part of the North Carolina coast, but as yet there are few definite records of its occurrence in this state. A specimen said to have come from North Carolina was obtained by Dr. 8. E. Meek in the New York market (Jordan & Fesler, I.c.) some years ago. Mr. Earll, in his report on the North Carolina fisheries in 1880, notes that in the summer line-fishing on the “black-fish”’ banks off Wilmington, grunts of this species are caught; and the State Museum at Raleigh contains an example 1 foot long obtained at Wilmington in 1884 by Mr. H. H. Brimley. One specimen was collected for the Beaufort laboratory at Bird Shoal in the summer of 1902,. and in June, 1904, Mr. Barton A. Bean, of the National Museum, found the young very common in the harbor. On the “black-fish’’ grounds lying off Beaufort the steamer Fish-Hawk secured several specimens in September, 1902. Family SPARIDA. The Scups, Pin-fishes, and Sheepsheads. “The members of this family are mostly small or moderate sized shore fishes of temperate and tropical waters, feeding chiefly on crabs, mollusks, and small fish. The family, which is closely related to the grunts (Hemulide), has the SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 295 following characters: Body usually compressed and rather deep; head large, with prominent ridges on skull; mouth small, terminal, and low, with strong teeth in jaws, no teeth on vomer and palatines; maxillary short, overlapped by a broad preorbital, no supplemental bone; gill-membranes not united, free from isthmus; preopercle little if at all serrate; no spines on opercle; scales on body large, adherent, head more or less scaly; lateral line prominent, concurrent with back; dorsal fin long and continuous, spines strong and usually fitting in a groove when flexed; anal fin about length of soft part of dorsal, with 3 spines; caudal fin forked or deeply concave; air bladder present. Of the 7 genera represented on the eastern coast of the United States, 6, with 7 species, are known from North Carolina. Two of the local sparids are among the best known food-fishes of the Atlantic coast. The common porgy of southern Europe (Pagrus pagrus), known also from Charleston, 8. C., to Uruguay, may be looked for on the lower part of the North Carolina coast. Key to the North Carolina genera of sparids. i. Bone (interhemal) supporting second anal spine large, partly hollow, and receiving posterior end of swim-bladder; teeth in front of jaws either narrow incisors or canines. a. Front teeth very narrow incisors; first dorsal spine rudimentary and directed forward. b. Anterior dorsal spines not noticeably long, the third one-half to two-thirds length of CAS ca else lad exe! olod ea Sales SS Shaan ol dead on eo ae 4) Grea NTN bh euets Sua STENOTOMUS. bb. Anterior dorsal spines very long and filamentous, the third longer than head. OTRYNTER. aa. Front teeth canine; first dorsal spine not rudimentary and not directed forward. CaLaMvs. i. Bone supporting second anal spine normal; teeth in front of jaws broad incisors. c. Body marked by dark cross bands. d. Incisor teeth deeply notched; size small ........... 0... cece eee eee ee Lagopon. dd. Incisor teeth entire or slightly notched; size large.............-.... ARCHOSARGUS. cc. No dark cross-bands; black blotch on caudal peduncle................... DipLopvus. Genus STENOTOMUS Gill. Scuppaugs. Small fishes of our Atlantic coast, very abundant and furnishing much food in the New England and Middle States. The Indian name “scuppaug” has been corrupted into “scup” and “porgy”’, by which names these fishes are generally known. Body rather deep; back elevated; head pointed; incisor teeth long and flat; eye small and placed high; gill-rakers small, about 16 on first arch; top of head, snout, and orbital region naked, opercle and cheek scaly; dorsal spines 12, the first less than half length of second and the longest much shorter than head; antrorse dorsal spine attached to interneural bone by a long process. The 2 known species, both found in North Carolina, are very similar but may be distinguished by following characters: i. Body with about same depth from first to tenth dorsal spines; depth more than half length of body; head .28 length of body; snout less than .5 length of head.......... chrysops. tt. Depth of body decreasing rapidly backward from anterior dorsal spines; depth less than half length of body; head .33 length of body; snout .5 length of head........ aculeatus. (Stenotomus, narrow cutting, in reference to the incisor teeth.) 296 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 258. STENOTOMUS CHRYSOPS (Linnzus). “Pin-fish’”’; Scuppaug; Porgy (S. C.); Scup; Fair Maid (Va.). Sparus chrysops Linnzus, Systema Natura, ed. xii, 471, 1766; Charleston. Stenotomus argyrops, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 379; Beaufort. Stenotomus chrysops, Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1346, pl. cexi, fig. 544. D1senosis.—Back arched, depth about .5 length; profile steep, nape convex, a depression over eyes; head contained 3.5 times in total length; eye less than .25 length of héad; snout 4 length of head; incisors very narrow, lateral teeth (molars) in two rows in upper jaw; scales in lateral series 50, in transverse series 25; dorsal rays x11,12, first spine about equal to eye, third spine longest and half length of head; anal rays 11,11, third spine longest; pectoral fin 1.5 times length of head; caudal fin forked. Color: sllvery, often with irregular dark brown cross bands under certain conditions; thé young with well defined blackish cross bands. (chry- sops, golden-eyed.) — sa ee SE nN ; Ab at HAN ee as EE Fi a ao Sea = e =o eee i ee Se ee oS = = ross aS 5 PON OSs Ss wes 5 SE SM He SE Ee 3S = SS was 5 Sieg # fab re Sea Oa CLELEE EY ered SS es Css Sa SS 2 Ce ata vA Fig. 132. Scup; Pry-risa. Stenotomus chrysops. This scup is found coastwise from Massachusetts to South Carolina and is an abundant and important food fish in the northern part ofits range, but on the North Carolina coast is not particularly numerous and has no economic value, being “hardly noticed by the fishermen’’ and at Beaufort not distinguished from the southern scup, Stenotomus aculeatus. The species is known as “pin-fish’’, which seems to be the only local name. The maximum weight is about 4 pounds, but the usual weight is a pound or less. The scup feeds onshrimp, small crabs, and other crustaceans, mollusks, worms and small fish. It bites readily at the hook baited with fish or crab, and is often a nuisance when a fisherman is seeking other fish. The flesh is of excellent flavor. ; SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 297 259. STENOTOMUS ACULEATUS (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “Pin-fish”; Southern Scup or Porgy. Chrysophrys aculeatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vi, 137, 1830; Charleston, S. C. Stenotomus aculeatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1347, pl. ecxii. fig. 545; Cape Hatteras to Texas. Diaenosis.—Very similar to Stenotomus chrysops, the depth somewhat less than .5 length; profile less steep than in the other species; head contained about 3.25 times in length; eye larger, contained 3.75 to 4 times in head; snout long, .5 length of head; scales in lateral series about 55, in transverse series 23; dorsal rays x11,12, the first spine shortest, the third longest; anal rays 111,11. Color: dull silvery. (aculeatus, spiny.) This species replaces the common scup southward, and is reported to be common from Cape Hatteras to Texas. It is very similar to other species, and is not distinguished therefrom by fishermen. There appear to be no definite North Carolina records, but the species may undoubtedly be found at Cape Fear, Beaufort, and other points. p oe ae i NN aM Fig. 133. Lone-spinep Porey. Otrynter caprinus. Genus OTRYNTER Jordan & Evermann. Long-spined Porgies. Very similar to Stenotomus, but with differences in the structure of the skull and dorsal spines. The antrorse dorsal spine is attached directly to the interneural bone; the third, fourth, and fifth spines are long and filamentous, the third being longer than head. One species. (Otrynter, one who whips, in allusion to the long dorsal spines.) 298 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 260. OTRYNTER OCAPRINUS (Bean). Long-spined Porgy. Stenotomus caprinus Bean, Proceedings U.S. National Museum, 1882, 426; snapper banks off Pensacola, Fila. Otrynter caprinus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1345, pl. cexi, fig. 543. Diaenosis.—Body ovate, back elevated, depth more than .5 length; profile from mouth to dorsal fin nearly straight; head..33 length; eye large, .33 head, .66 snout; mouth rather large, maxillary longer than eye, incisor teeth in front of jaws small, in a compact group, molars in 2 rows; scales in lateral series 50, in transverse series 5+ 15; first row of scales on cheek enlarged; a well-developed scaly sheath at base of soft dorsal and anal fins; dorsal rays x1,12, the first 2 spines very short, the third long and filamentous, the fourth and fifth similar, soft dorsal low; anal rays 111,12, the spines large and strong; caudal slightly concave; pectorals long, pointed, longer than head; ventrals long, reaching to anal fin. Color: back light green, sides and belly silvery; body under certain conditions marked by irregular dark bars; young with indistinct, narrow dark bars. (caprinus, goat-like.) A rare species, hitherto known only from specimens taken from the stomachs of snappers and groupers caught on the west coast of Florida. In the summer of 1904, 9 specimens, the largest 7 inches long, were taken in Beaufort Harbor, 2 in a seine and 7 in a pound net. The larger fish are plainly colored, but a small example is marked by irregular dark cross bands. Genus CALAMUS Swainson. Porgies. A numerous genus of small, well-flavored, American shore fishes, inhabiting both coasts, only a single species as yet known from the Atlantic coast north of Florida. The genus closely resembles Stenotomus, but the front teeth are canine, the dorsal spines are lower, there is no antrorse spine on the first spine- bearing interneural bone, the caudal fin is more deeply forked, etc. Body ovate or oblong, back much elevated, head large and very deep, eye placed high on side of head, snout long, mouth small or moderate, dorsal and anal fins low, pectoral fin pointed and longer than head,-second interhemal bone as in Stenotomus. (Calamus, a reed or quill, in allusion to the quill-like interhemal bone.) 261. CALAMUS LEUCOSTEUS Jordan & Gilbert. White-bone porgy. Calamus leucosteus Jordan & Gilbert, in Jordan, Catalogue of Fishes of North America, 1885, 91; Charleston, S.C. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1353. Dracnosis.—Body short and deep, back elevated, depth a little less than .5 length; head deeper than long, its length contained slightly more than 3 times in total length; profile straight from snout to eyes, convex posteriorly; eyes large, about .28 length of head; maxillary .4 length of head; about 10 rather large canine teeth in each jaw; gill-rakers short, 12 to 14 on first arch; scales in lateral series 50, in transverse series 7+15; scales on cheek in 5 rows; dorsal rays x1,12, the highest spine less than half length of head; anal rays 111,10; caudal fin well forked; pectorals very long, reaching as far back as base of third anal spine, and nearly .4 total length; ventrals more than .5 as long as head. Color: dull silvery, with indefinite dark cross-bars; dorsal and anal fins dark blotched. (leucosteus, white-boned.) The habitat of this porgy is quite circumscribed. It has heretofore been recorded only from the Charleston (S. C.) market, where it is called ‘“ white-bone SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 299 porgy”, a name of unknown application. The species is entitled to be listed in the North Carolina fauna because of a specimen, 12 inches long, obtained by Mr. H. H. Brimley at Wilmington in 1884 and now preserved in the State Museum at Raleigh. This specimen was caught by a market fisherman off the mouth of Cape Fear River, and the species may doubtless be looked for regu- larly in that region, Like other members of the genus, it is a good food fish. Genus LAGODON Holbrook. Sailor’s Choice. This genus contains a single species, and is distinguished from related genera chiefly by the form of the cranial bones; other characters are noted in the key. (Lagodon, hare-tooth.) 262. LAGODON RHOMBOIDES (Linnezus). “Robin”; “Pin-fish”; “Thorny-back’”’; Bream; Sailor’s Choice; Salt-water Bream (S. ©.); Fair Maid (Va.). Sparus rhomboides Linnzeus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 470, 1766; Charleston. Lagodon rhomboides, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 378; Beaufort. Goode, 1884, 393; Cape Hatteras, Beaufort.” Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1358, pl. cexv, fig. 552. Linton, 1905, 380; Beaufort. Diplodus rhomboides, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. re Fig. 134. Sartor’s CHoice; Ropin. Lagodon rhomboides. Diaenosis.—Form elliptical, the depth about .4 length; head rather pointed, profile not steep, contained 3.25 times in total length; mouth small, maxillary not extending beyond anterior margin of eye; 4 deeply notched incisors and 2 rows of molars in each jaw; eye less than snout, .25 length of head, equal to interorbital space; gill-rakers 18 to 20; scales in lateral series 65 to 70, in transverse series 28; dorsal rays x11,11, the first spine short and directed forward, the longest spine about half length of head; anal rays 111,11, the second spine largest; pectorals extending about to anal origin; caudal fin moderately forked. Life colors: dark green above, silvery below; a round dark spot on shoulder about size of eye; 4 to 6 dark cross bars about width of eye; numerous golden longitudinal stripes; dorsal spines purplish or bluish silvery, the membrane pale yellow, free edge of fin bright yellow; anal fin yellow, with a broad light-blue margin; caudal and pectorals pale yellow; ventrals bluish white, with 2 middle mem- branes pale yellow. (rhomboides, rhomb-like.) 300 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. This attractive little sparid abounds in the bays and estuaries from New York to Cuba, and has on several occasions been taken in southern Massachu- setts (at Woods Hole). Owing to an evident error in identification, Yarrow listed this species as ‘not abundant”’, whereas it is an exceedingly abundant fish at Beaufort and elsewhere on the North Carolina coast, where its local name are “pin-fish”” and “robin.” The name “pin-fish”’ refers to the dorsal spines, which are exceedingly sharp and resemble ordinary pins in size and metallic color. The name “thorny-back”’, applied to this fish in Topsail and Myrtle Grove sounds, refers to the same thing. The maximum length is about 10 inches and the usual length only 6 inches. Fish of all sizes may be taken in Beaufort Harbor throughout the year, and in the laboratory fine-meshed seines many thousands are caught yearly, in company with spot, mullet, silversides, killi-fish, ete. The food is quite varied, comprising small fish, worms, crustaceans, mollusks and seaweed. Fish opened at the laboratory in June and July (1899) had no obvious reproductive organs, but ovarian eggs were noted on August 6 (1903). A large male examined by Mr. Worth on November 20 (1903) was fully ripe, and it is evident that the species breeds in winter. Until very recently the species was not marketable in North Carolina and when caught incidentally was thrown away; but it is now shipped from Beau- fort and other points, ranking among the lowest grade of fishes, although it is by many persons considered a superior pan fish. The principal catch is made in New Hanover County, and in the Wilmington market the fish is regularly sold from April to October, the fishermen receiving about 1 cent per pound. The quantity sold in the entire state probably falls below 40,000 pounds yearly. Genus ARCHOSARGUS Gill. Sheepsheads. In this genus of American shore fishes, the body is stout, deep, compressed; the rather small mouth has conspicuous, broad incisor teeth in front and strong molars laterally; the posterior nostril is a mere slit in front of the eye; the spinous dorsal is about twice length of soft part and the spines are strong, the first spine being short and procumbent; the anal fin is comparatively short; the caudal is slightly forked or deeply concave; and in the North Carolina species the body is marked by broad black transverse bands. Five species, the 1 represented in local waters being the largest and most valuable of all. (Archosargus, chief Sargus, the latter being an ancient name for fishes of this group.) 263. AROHOSARGUS PROBATOCEPHALUS (Walbaum). “Sheepshead’”’. Sparus probatocephalus Walbaum, Artedi Genera Piscium, 295, 1792; New York. Archosargus probatocephalus, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Cape Lookout and Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 379; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1361, pl. cexvi, fig. 554. Linton, 1905, 382; Beaufort. Diplodus probatocephalus, Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. N. C. GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY PLATE 14 SHEEPSHEAD (ARCHOSARGUS PROBATOCEPHALUS) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 301 Dracnosis.—Body very stout, deep, moderately compressed, the depth .4 to .5 length; head large, heavy, deep, less than .33 length; bony area between eyes honeycombed; mouth hori- zontal, maxillary .33 length of head; 3 broad incisors in upper jaw, 4 in lower jaw, these nearly entire in adult but serrate in young; molar teeth in 3 rows in upper jaw and 2 series in lower jaw; eye .20 to .25 length of head, less than interorbital space; gill-rakers 9 or 10; scales in lateral series 45 to 50, in transverse series 22 to 24; dorsal rays x11,10 to x11,12, the fifth spine longest, the first equal to eye; anal rays 111,10 or 11,11, the second spine very strong and more than twice length of first; caudal slightly forked; pectorals longer than head, extending beyond origin of anal; ventrals large. Color: grayish, with 6 to 8 broad, black, nearly vertical bands on body, these very distinct in young; dorsal fin dusky, anal and ventrals blackish, pectorals dark at base. (probatocephalus, sheep-head.) Te: PR whe K SSNs 3 Fig. 135. SuHrrepsaeap. Archosargus probatocephdlus. The sheepshead is a well-known and valuable food fish, found from Massa- chusetts to Texas. It reaches a weight of 20 pounds, and is often taken about wharves, breakwaters, and sunken wrecks where food abounds. It feeds chiefly on mollusks and crabs, which it is easily able to crush between its strong teeth. The species occurs in all the bays and estuaries of the North Carolina coast from spring to fall, but nowhere in great abundance. Writing about the sheepshead at Beaufort about 35 years ago, Yarrow said: Abundant in early spring; will not take the hook until later in season. In 1871, large numbers were taken in the bight of Cape Lookout in nets. Size, 8 to 24 inches. A small specimen was taken January 30, 1872, an early arrival. At the spawning season, which is in spring, the sheepshead swim in schools, and appear to prefer sandy shores. The eggs are about .03 inch in diameter, and more than 1,500,000 are in a fluid quart. They float at the surface, and hatch rapidly, only 40 hours being required in water of 76° or 77° F. The young are active and hardy. At Beaufort young fish from 1.5 to 7 inches long are found in the harbor in summer, and the variations in size suggest either a prolonged 302 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. spawning season or an irregular rate of growth; thus, during one year, in the ‘third week in August specimens only 1.5 inches long were seined, while in the first week of the same month the young averaged 4 inches long, and in the last week in July the average length was 5 inches. A specimens 2.75 inches over all (2.25 inches to base of caudal), taken by the writer at Beaufort October 25, 1904, had the following colors in life: Body marked by7 broad shining black cross bands, separated by silvery spaces; dorsal dusky, the membrane of spinous part with black edge; anal black; pectorals white; ventrals blue-black; tail white; a round black humeral spot, larger than pupil, partly in second cross band and partly in first interspace, on level with upper half of eye. An old wrecked bark in the Beaufort Harbor was for a long time one of the best places for hook and line fishing; this was blown up and removed by the government in November, 1903. After the first explosion of dynamite 15 small sheepshead 6 to 8 inches long were collected at the surface, and after the second discharge 2 days later a number of others were found. Six days later, a small trap at the laboratory wharf, which had been set a year and had caught no sheepshead during that time, was found to contain 20 sheepshead of the same size as those killed at the wreck; the following day, the 20 not having been removed, the trap contained about 40. The sheepshead is a much sought fish, and the comparatively small catch indicates that it is not numerous at this time in North Carolina. It is taken for market with lines, gill nets, seines, and pound nets, but the line catch is insig- nificant except in Dare County. Carteret County ranks first in the amount of the catch, followed by Dare, Beaufort, and Pamlico counties. The yield in 1890 was 146,345 pounds, valued at $5,981; in 1897 it was 271,205 pounds, valued at $9,243; and in 1902 it was 154,930 pounds, valued at $7,303. The sheepshead is deservedly regarded as one of the best of salt-water fishes. The meat is white, flaky, juicy, and well flavored, and is usually prepared for the table by boiling or baking. Genus DIPLODUS Rafinesque. Sargoes, or Spot-tailed Pin-fishes. ' This is essentially an old world genus, with a few American representatives. Similar to Archosargus, but with bony interorbital region more cavernous; body ovate, compressed, back elevated; incisor teeth broad, not notched; molar teeth in several rows; gill-rakers short; dorsal spines about 12; color silvery, with dark area on caudal peduncle. One species in local fauna. (Diplodus, double tooth.) 264. DIPLODUS HOLBROOKII (Bean). “ Spot-tailed Pin-fish”’; “Pin-fish’’; Ring-tailed Bream (S. C.); Salt-water Bream -(S. ©.); ‘Sailor’s Choice. Sargus holdrookii Bean, Forest and Stream, June 13, 1878; Charleston, S.C. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 379; Beaufort. , Diplodus holbrookii, Goode, 1884, 386; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90, Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1362, pl. cexvii, figs. 555 and 555a. Linton, 1905, 383; Beaufort. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 303 Dracnosis.—Dorsal and ventral outlines similar, depth .5 length; head short, a little less than .25 length, longer and more pointed in young; 4 incisors in each jaw, directed obliquely forward, 3 series of molars in upper jaw, 2 in lower jaw; eye .25 head, behind posterior end of maxillary; gill-rakers on first arch about 20, very short, less than .25 diameter of eye; scales in lateral series 55 to 57, in transverse series 20 to 22; dorsal rays x1,14, third to fifth spines longest, less than half length of head; anal rays 111,13, second spine largest; caudal rather deeply forked; pectorals pointed, reaching about as far as anal origin. Color: back dull blue, sides and below silvery; a conspicuous black blotch or band on each side of anterior part of caudal peduncle; opercular margin black; base of pectoral black; back and side of young with about 5 very narrow vertical dark stripes, with about same number of short intermediate stripes on back. (Named for John Edwards Holbrook, author of Ichthyology of South Carolina.) Fig. 136. Spot-raiLep Pin-Fisu. Diplodus holbrookit. This species is known from the coast between Cape Hatteras and Cedar Keys. Jordan & Gilbert, writing of it in 1879, said: Extremely abundant everywhere along the Beaufort shore. This species was first described by Dr. Bean during the past year. That so strongly marked and so abundant a species should have so long escaped notice is very remarkable. Its color is bright silvery, with a large black blotch on the upper part of the caudal peduncle, which is very conspicuous while the fish is in the water. -It reaches but a small size, and is not at Beaufort used as food. The fishermen call it pin-fish, and as such it is beneath their notice. Most of the fishermen, indeed, did not distinguish it from Lagodon rhomboides. The vernacular names for this fish in the Beaufort region and about Bogue Inlet are “pin-fish” and “spot-tailed pin-fish”. The maximum length of the. species is 10 about inches. In 1871 Dr. Coues collected at Beaufort a specimen of this species now in the U. S. National Museum, but failed to recognize it as: distinct from Stenotomus; and the species is not mentioned in Yarrow’s list.- -__ 304 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Family GERRIDA. The Mojarras. Small marine fishes, chiefly tropical, most readily distinguishable by their small, very protractile mouth, which, when protruded, is turned downward. Body more or less elongate, compressed, and covered with rather large scales; a deep groove in top of hea to receive premaxillary; no supplemental maxillary bone; villiform teeth in jaws, no teeth on vomer or palatine bones; nostrils round and double; gill-rakers short and broad; gill-membranes not united, free from isthmus; lateral line continuous, more or less parallel with outline of back; branchiostegals 6; air-bladder present; spinous and soft dorsal rays united into one fin, with scaly sheath at base; dorsal spines 9 or 10; anal fin with 2 or 3 spines and fewer soft rays than in dorsal; ventral fins thoracic, close together. These fishes are carnivorous, and the larger ones are used as food, but they have no economic value in the United States, although abundant in Florida and other southern states. Four genera are represented in American waters; of these only 1 is as yet known from North Carolina. Genus EUCINOSTOMUS Baird & Girard. Mojarras, or Irish Pompanoes. This genus embraces numerous small species, several of which are found along the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts and in the West Indies. Body elongate; dorsal fin deeply notched; anal spines 3; interhemal bone connected with second anal spine expanded into a hollow cylinder into which the posterior end of air-bladder is inserted. Two species found on North Carolina coast: i. Premaxillary groove not scaled; anal rays 11,7; second anal spine contained 4.5 times in length of head; depth of body contained 3.25 times in length .......... pseudogula. ti. Premaxillary groove scaled in front, the scales leaving a naked pit behind; anal rays 111,8; second anal spine contained 3.33 times in length of head; depth of body contained 2.4 times) in) lem ets je sidises ccsass sass Sie gid aise sielts ng ete, Sale asta aide po Sa ee hs Dalle’ gula. (Eucinostomus, freely movable mouth.) 265. EUCINOSTOMUS PSEUDOGULA Poey. Irish Pompano. Eucinostomus pseudogula Poey, Enumeratio Piscium Cubensium, 53, pl. 1, 1875; Havana. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1368. Diacnosis.—Body elliptical, not greatly compressed; head contained 3.25 to 3.50 times in length; mouth small, maxillary extending a little beyond front of eye, its length contained 8.25 times in head; snout conical, contained 3.25 times in head; diameter of eye slightly greater than length of snout; scales in lateral series 49, in transverse series 14; 3 rows of scales on cheek; gill-rakers on lower arm of first arch 7; dorsal rays 1x,10 to 1x,12, the spines weak and flexible; anal rays 11,6 or 11,7, the second spine stoutest, its length .22 head. Color: greenish above, silvery below; snout and tips of spinous dorsal black; caudal reddish; other fins pale. (pseudogula, false throat.) This species, which has heretofore been known from Cuba, West Indies, Bermuda, and Brazil, was taken at Beaufort in the summer of 1902, and several additional specimens were taken there in September, 1905, which are preserved in the laboratory collection. The maximum length of the species is about 7 inches. < SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 305 266. EUCINOSTOMUS GULA (Cuvier & Valenciennes.) Silver Jenny; Irish Pompano. Gerres gula Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vi, 464, 1830; Martinique. Eucinostomus argenteus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 378; Beaufort. Gerres gula, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887,91; Beaufort, Eucinostomus gula, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1370. Linton, 1905, 383; Beaufort. Draanosis.—Body elliptical, back moderately elevated; length of head contained 3.33 times in total length; mouth small, maxillary reaching somewhat beyond front of eye; eye .33 length of head; snout .28 length of head; gill-rakers small, 7 below angle of first arch; scales in lateral series 42, in transverse series 14; dorsal rays 1x,10, the longest spine .66 length of head; anal rays 11,8, the second spine shorter and stouter than third, and contained 3.33 times in length of head. Color: beautiful uniform silvery, the back dark greenish in certain lights; upper margin of spinous dorsal black; soft dorsal and anal plain or dusky; other fins pale. (gula, throat.) The species ranges from North Carolina to Brazil, stragglers ascending the coast in summer to New Jersey, New York, and southern Massachusetts. In Beaufort Harbor the fish was abundant in 1902, more than a thousand specimens 1.5 to 2 inches long being seined incidentally; in the following year it was scarcer, less than 100 being noticed. On October 24 and 25, 1905, the writer took numerous specimens 2 to 4.25 inches long in Beaufort Harbor in company with spots, silversides, and may-fish. The species is small (maximum length 5 inches) and no use is made of it. Examples examined at Beaufort in August had been feeding chiefly on worms, but contained also crustaceans, diatoms, and fragments of vegetable tissue. Family KYPHOSIDA. The Rudder-fishes. In this family the body is elongate or deep, compressed; mouth of moderate size, with incisor teeth in front of each jaw, the vomer and palatines with or without teeth; maxillary more or less sheathed by the preorbital; premaxillaries moderately protractile; gill-membranes not united, free from isthmus; pseudo- branchie well developed; opercular margin entire; scales of varied size and form; intestine long; air-bladder with 2 posterior horns; dorsal fin single or : divided, the spines strong, 10 to 15 in number, the soft part rather long and either scaly or naked; anal fin with 3 spines and 10 to 19 soft rays; caudal lunate or forked; ventrals with accessory scale at base. A rather numerous family of shore fishes, which feed largely on green alge, some of them important food speciesin Americaand Europe. Six American genera, only 1 represented on the east coast of the United States. Genus KYPHOSUS Lacépéie. Chubs or Chopas. Body elongate-ovate, compressed; head short; snout blunt; mouth small, horizontal, with a row of incisors in each jaw, a band of villiform teeth behind them and small teeth on tongue, vomer, and palatines; gill-rakers long; scales small, ctenoid, completely covering body, most of head, soft parts of vertical fins and base of paired fins; lateral line continuous; pyloric ceca numerous; 306 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. dorsal fin continuous, a notch between the two parts; dorsal spines 11, depressible in a sealy groove; anal similar to soft dorsal; caudal forked; pectorals small; ventrals posterior to pectorals. Fivespeciesare American. (Kyphosus, humped.) 267. KYPHOSUS SEOTATRIX (Linnzus). Rudder-fish; Chub. Perca sectatriz Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 293, 1758; Carolina. Pimelepterus bosci, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 379; Beaufort. Kyphosus sectatriz, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1387, pl. ccxix, fig. 559. Linton, 1905, 383; Beaufort. Diaenosis.—Body ovate, much compressed, depth slightly less than half length; length of head contained 3.75 times in length of body; mouth quite small, maxillary barely extending to eye; snout .25 head; eye equal to snout; interorbital area swollen; preopercle with weak serrations; gill-rakers long, about 16 on long arm of first arch; scales in lateral series 55, in transverse series 10+16; dorsal rays x1,12, the longest spine .2 depth of body; anal rays 1,11, second spine longest; soft dorsal and anal very low; lower caudal lobe longer. Color: bluish gray, edges of scales on back and sides brassy, this color forming faint longitudinal streaks; a pale stripe below eye, with a yellow one above and below; ventrals and anal fins blackish; fins otherwise grayish. (sectatriz, a follower.) The rudder-fish is abundant in the West Indies, the Bermudas, and at Key West, but is not common on our east coast and in Massachusetts occurs only as a rare straggler. It is found occasionally in Beaufort Harbor, and is doubtless uncommon outside. During 1906, 6 specimens were seined in the harbor, at Bird Shoal and Town Marsh. On October 26, 1903, a Beaufort fisherman caught one near Cape Lookout which was 14.5 inches long and weighed 1.75 pounds. The rudder-fish, named from its habit of following vessels, has very marked game qualities, and is an excellent food fish. Considerable numbers are caught at Key West, and in the Bermudas it is one of the leading economic species. The maximum length is 18 inches. Four specimens examined at Beaufort by Prof. Edwin Linton in August, 1902, contained crabs, small bivalve shells, vegetable debris, and sand. Family SCLENIDA. The Drums, Croakers, etc. The drums are a numerous and important family found in temperate and tropical waters in all parts of the world, and well represented in America by many valuable food species. The name drum is strictly applicable only to certain members which have the power of producing a loud drumming or croaking sound, and only a few of these bear popular names which relate to this function. The manner in which the drumming sound is made has been the subject of much speculation, and is still not generally appreciated. From a recent discussion* of this subject by the present writer, the following observations are extracted: It is rather remarkable that so common a function as the drumming of fishes should have remained so long misunderstood; that so much speculation should have been indulged in * The drumming of the drum-fishes (Scifnidez). Science, New York, Sept, 22, 1905, pp. 376-378. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 307 regarding a phenomenon so easily investigated in most parts of fhe world; and that a con- spicuous specialized drumming muscle should have been either overlooked or ignored by ichthyologists. For several years, a8 opportunity was afforded, I have been studying the peculiar drum- ming sounds made by those fishes in which this function is so strikingly developed that it has determined the family name, the inquiries being in continuation of some observations and experiments on the squeteague (Cynoscion regalis) carried on by Professor R. W. Tower, at Woods Hole, in 1901 and 1902, and noted by me in the Report of the U. 8. Fish Commissioner for 1902 (page 137). The drumming act has been more thoroughly studied in the squeteague than in any other sciznid species; and the facts regarding it, as determined by Professor Tower, may here be repeated substantially as stated by me in 1902 (l. c.), but in somewhat greater detail: 1. There is in the squeteague a special drumming muscle, lying between the abdominal muscles and the peritoneum and extending the entire length of the abdomen on either side of the median line, the muscles of the two sides being united dorsally by a strong aponeurosis. The muscle is of a decided red color, in sharp contrast to the pale muscles of the abdominal parietes, and the fibers are very short, running at right angles to the long axis of the muscle. 2. Themuscle, with the aponeurosis, is in close relation with the large air-bladder, and by its rapid contractions produces a drumming sound, with the aid of the tense air-bladder, which acts as a resonator. Experimentally, the removal of the air-bladder or the section of the nerves supplying the muscle abolishes the sound; if a removed air-bladder is restored to its place the drumming is resumed; and the substitution for a removed air-bladder of any hollow, thin-walled vessel of suitable size permits the resumption of drumming when the special muscle is stimulated. 3. The muscle exists only in the males, and only the males are able to make a drumming sound. It is probable the drumming mechanism and function as existing in the squeteagues are typical of a majority of the genera of Scienide; but there are some interesting variations in the limited number of genera which I have been able to examine in the field and laboratory. Thus in the croaker (Micropogon undulatus) the special drumming muscle is present in both male and female, and both sexes make the drumming sound; while in the so-called king-fishes or whitings (Menticirrhus) the drumming muscle and air-bladder are absent in both sexes and no drumming sounds are made. The seven commonest genera of drum-fishes found along the Atlantic coast may be thus classified with reference to the drumming function: i. Drumming muscle present in both male and female, and drumming sound made by both BORG csi oc Sac aie g ced r sate deere Nea thew Hecalualy hes ieleG Aes WEES ES tee Ma Micropogon. wi. Drumming muscle present only in male, and drumming sound produced only by the male. Pogonias, Scienops, Cynoscion, Leiostomus, Bairdiella. iii. Drumming muscle absent in both male and female, and no drumming sound produced by elther SeXy schentsass oa vos adom did HORNER DARE THE Mae Bees Gand wae dee de Menticirrhus. The fishes of this family in North Carolina are in the aggregate more valuable than all the other salt-water fishes combined. The annual catch exceeds 7,000,000 pounds and is worth over $225,000. The most important anatomical characters of this family are as follows: Body elongate, variously compressed, covered with scales which are usually thin ctenoid; head large, scaly, bones cavernous; mouth large or small, teeth in one or more series on jaws, no teeth on vomer, palatals, pterygoids or tongue; barbels sometimes present on chin; maxillary bone without supplemental bone, slipping under edge of usually broad preorbital; premaxillaries protractile; gill-membranes not united; and free from isthmus, branchiostegals 7; pseudo- branchie usually present and large; posterior margin of opercle with 2 flat 308 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. points; lateral line continuous, curved, and extending on caudal fin; dorsal fins continuous or separate, the soft portion longer; anal fin with 1 or 2 spines and comparatively few soft rays; caudal fin usually square or emarginate; ear bones or otoliths (“lucky stones”) large; air-bladder (absent in 1 genus) usually large. Of 28 genera and about 110 species found in American waters, 10 genera and 14 species are represented in the North Carolina fauna. Key to North Carolina genera of Scienide. t. Dorsal spines well separated; dorsal rays 17 to 32. u. No barbels on lower jaw. b. Body elongate, fusiform; back not elevated; mouth large, lower jaw projecting; 2 canine teeth at tip of upper jaw; none at tip of lower jaw............. CYNOSCION. bb. Body less elongate, compressed, back elevated; no canine teeth in jaws. ¢. Teeth well developed, permanent in both jaws. d. Gill-rakers long and slender; no black spot at base of tail. e. Head not very broad, interorbital space not spongy or cavernous; lower jaw projecting. 7. Snout very short, less than diameter of eye; mouth large, very oblique; no bony teeth on margin of preopercle...............0.00- Larimvs. /f. Snout moderate, equal to or greater than diameter of eye; mouth moderate, slightly oblique; margin of preopercle serrate ............ BAIRDIELLA. ee. Head very broad above, the interorbital space flat, cavernous, the septa very thin; lower jaw equal to or shorter than upper.......... STELLIFER. dd. Gill-rakers short and thick; one (sometimes several) black spot at base of tail. Scrnops. cc. Teeth very small, those in lower jaw wanting or deciduous; mouth small, inferior. LEIostTomus. aa. Barbels on lower jaw. g. A row of minute barbels on each side of lower jaw; air bladder with long horns. Micropoaon. gg. A-single thick barbel at tip of lower jaw; air-bladder absent...... MENTICIRRHUS. ggg. Numerous large barbels along inner edge of each side of lower jaw; air-bladder very large, thick, and with fringed appendages...............e ce ceeeeeueee Poaonias. i. Dorsal spines close together; dorsal rays 36 to 55....... sce cece cece eee cere EQuses. Genus CYNOSCION Gill. Squeteagues or ‘Sea Trouts”’. Large coastal fishes, some of them of great economic importance, found on both coasts of America and also in the old world. Body long, graceful, very slightly compressed; head pointed; mouth large, terminal, maxillary broad; teeth in narrow bands, 2 canines at tip of upper jaw (1 sometimes obsolete); gill-rakers long and rather stout; pseudobranchie present; dorsal fins very close together, the spines slender, soft dorsal long and low; anal spines 1 or 2, feeble, soft rays 7 to 13; caudal fin slightly concave or slightly rounded; air-bladder large, 2-horned. Of the 20 or more American species, the following 3 occur regularly on the east coast of the United States. i. Soft rays of dorsal and anal fins more or less closely scaled; gill-rakers long and slender, 9 to 12 on lower arm of first arch. a. Coloration nearly uniform silvery...... 0... cece cece eee e eee ee eee n nee nothus. aa. Body marked by numerous irregular dark blotches, some of which form wavy oblique lines running forward and downward ......... 0.0. cece cece cere aes regalis. it. Soft rays of dorsal and anal fins scaleless; gill-rakers comparatively short and thick, 6 to 8 on lower arm of first arch; body covered with round black spots............ nebulosus. The catch of squeteagues or “sea trouts” in this state during the past 25 years has ranged from 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 pounds annually, and in that time has aggregated over 60,000,000 pounds, valued at not less than $1,800,000. The SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 309 quantity taken and sold in each of 4 widely separated years beginning in 1880 was as follows: ; YEAR. Pounps. VALUE. 1880 2.5 ce oan ganar seer GA eae EINES epee Ce Mae Sates el 1,120,000 $25,550 1390 curdici's deafeinre Soe biede Sates ines Maat ene PSE Heres Mind Oo ly 1,885,680 48,856 BOT ccsc ge wchivaceenctnaigia eg enbe Sails aout gate chew eeeidiens ee eae 3,090,255 95,219 LQO2: icsse sibieiagelses Sipe burscaccancs eens canoe yd wate awnidign ema 3,781,455 156,247 (Cynoscion, dog drum.) 268. CYNOSCION NOTHUS (Holbrook). Silver Squeteague; Bastard Trout (S. C.). Otolithus nothus Holbrook, Ichthyology of South Carolina, 134, pl. 19, fig. 1, 1860; South Carolina. Cynoscion nothus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1406, pl. ccxx, fig. 561. Diaenosis.—Body rather deep and more compressed, than in other species; head con- tained 3.5 times in total length; mouth rather small, maxillary extending to posterior margin of pupil; snout short, contained 4.5 times in length of head; eye large, .25 length of head; gill- rakers about 13, 9 being on lower arm of arch, the longest .5 diameter of eye; scales in lateral series 58 to 62, in transverse series 13; lateral line curved anteriorly, straight posteriorly to 7th dorsal spine; dorsal rays x+1,27 (to 29), the soft dorsal scaled throughout; anal rays 11,9 or 11,10; caudal fin well rounded. Color: silvery gray above, very finely spotted on back and on sides to level of pectorals, silvery below; snout and tip of lower jaw blackish; inside of mouth white; upper fins dusky, lower fins white. (nothus, bastard.) CaS AAS WES Fig. 137. Stnver Squereacus. Cynoscion nothus, This is the least abundant and least known of the squeteagues of the east coast of the United States, It has been found in Chesapeake Bay, South Carolina, and Florida, but has not heretofore been recorded from North Carolina, On September 1, 1899, a small specimen, now in the Beaufort laboratory, was taken ina beam trawl, in 9 fathoms of water, 2 miles southeast of Beaufort Inlet. 310 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. - 269. OYNOSCION REGALIS (Bloch & Schneider). “Trout”; “Sea Trout”; “Gray Trout”; “Summer Trout”; Weak-fish; Squeteague; Yellow-finned Trout (S. 0.); Shad Trout; Sun Trout. Johnius regalis Bloch & Schneider, Systema Ichthyologix, 75, 1801; New York. Cynoscion regalis, Yarrow, 1877, 209; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 377; Beaufort. Earll, 1887, 493; coast near Wilmington. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1407, pl. ccxx, fig. 562. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Linton, 1905, 384; Beaufort. Driacnosis.—Body elongate, very slightly compressed, depth contained 4 to 4.25 times in total length; head large, contained 3.33 times in length; mouth large, maxillary extending beyond pupil and contained 2.16 times in length of head; teeth sharp, canines large; snout contained 4 to 4.33 times in head; eye .14 to..20 head, .75 snout; gill-rakers long and sharp, 16 in number, 11 on lower arm of arch; scales in lateral series about 56, in transverse series about 17; dorsal rays x+1,26 (to 29); anal rays 11,11 to 11,13; caudal very slightly concave; pectorals short, .56 head. Color: silvery purple and other reflections; head, back and sides marked by numerous small irregular blackish blotches, mostly arranged in wavy oblique lines; dorsal and caudal fins dusky; ventral, anal, and lower margin of caudal yellow. (regalis, royal.) Fig. 138. Squrreacun; Weax-FisH. Cynoscion regalis. This species is found along our coast from southern New England to the Gulf States, and is very abundant from North Carolina northward, being caught for market in large quantities and being the most valuable member of the drum family in United States waters. It goes in schools, which may contain many thousands of individuals, and the fish composing a given school are ordinarily of thesame size. The usual weight is about 2 pounds, but many fish weigh 4 to 6 pounds, and examples weighing 10 to 12 pounds are occasionally met with, the maximum known weight being 30 pounds. The common names of this species are numerous, and some of them are very improper. Weak-fish and squeteague are those most frequently employed on the northern part of the east coast; but in the Southern States “trout” and its compounds are in general use. The names applied in North Carolina are “trout”’, “sea trout’’, “summer trout”, and “gray trout’. In North Carolina this species is much less abundant than the “spotted trout”, although it is by no means uncommon. Like the other species, it is present almost throughout the year. Itis taken in “sink nets” in winter, and with drag nets, drift nets, and hook and line in spring and fall. The catch is smaller than formerly, and the market value of the fish is less than that of the “spotted trout’’. PLATE 15 N. C. GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY oD a AHOU Vv (SITVDSY NOIDSONAD) HSISHVEM | SNOVSLINOS SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 311 Mr. 8. G. Worth reports that a “trout numb” occurred at Beaufort during the last week in November, 1903; on the 27th the weather became cold very suddenly, and on the 28th many gray trout were picked up by numerous fisher- men, the fish floating or on the shores and just able to move their fins. One boat with 2 men secured 900 pounds. Menhaden and small school fishes generally are preyed on by the weak-fish, which is an extremely voracious species. Crabs, shrimps, annelids, and various other invertebrates are also eaten. The spawning season is in late spring or early summer. The eggs are buoyant, very numerous, and about .036 inch in diameter, and hatch in 2 days in water of 60° F. 270. OYNOSCION NEBULOSUS (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “Trout”; “Speckled Trout”; “Sea Trout’’; “Salmon Trout”; ‘‘Black Trout’’; “Salmon”; Spotted Weak-fish; Spotted Squeteague; Southern Squeteague. Otolithus nebulosus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, v, 79, 1830. Cynoscion carolinensis, Yarrow, 1877, 209; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 377; Beaufort. Cynoscion maculatum, Goode, 1884, 365: North Carolina. Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Earll, 1887, 486, 493; Beaufort, Morehead, and coast near Wilmington. .Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Cynoscion nebulosus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1409, pl. cexxi, fig. 563. Linton, 1905, 385; Beaufort. as es ote Fig. 1389. Sporrep SqueteacusE; SourHern SQueTEacuE. Cynoscion nebulosus. Dracnosis.—Body elongate, somewhat compressed, depth contained 4.5 times in length; head large, contained 3.5 times in length; maxillary extending to posterior border of orbit; snout long, sharp, contained 3.75 times in head; eye .14 to .16 head; gill-rakers short and thick, longest not longer than pupil, 11 in number, 7 on arm of arch; scales in lateral series 70 to 75, in transverse series 20; dorsal rays x+1,25 (to 27), longest spines less than .5 head; caudal slightly concave. Color: silvery, back darker and marked posteriorly by numerous round black spots; caudal and dorsal fins similarly spotted. (nebulosus, clouded.) While the spotted weak-fish is found from New York to Texas, it is rare north of Chesapeake Bay, from which region southward it begins to replace the other species, Cynoscion regalis. It swims in schools, and preys on all kinds of small fishes, and is itself eaten by blue-fish, drum, and northern squeteague. The average weight is 3 to 4 pounds, but larger fish are common and a weight 312 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. of 10 pounds is not infrequently attained. One of the largest examples of the spotted squeteague ever caught and possibly the largest ever recorded was taken in Neuse River in the winter of 1903-4 and exhibited in New Bern by Mr. George N. Ives, who reports that the fish weighed 16.5 pounds. The local names applied to the species are indefensible, but will probably never be supplanted by appropriate ones. Besides “trout” and “sea trout”, which are shared by its congener, the northern squeteague, it is known as the “speckled trout”, “salmon trout”, and “salmon”. Mr. W. H. Yopp reports the name “black trout” as in use among the Wilmington fishermen, by whom the other species is called “summer trout’. Spotted weak-fish and spotted squeteague are the best names, and their use should be encouraged. The fish is very abundant in North Carolina, and it is the principal member of the drum family in that state from the economic standpoint. Yarrow’s notes on the fish as observed at Beaufort in 1871-2 are interesting because of the changes that have occurred; he wrote: Very abundant from February to June, April being considered the best month; are taken at this time in nets only as they will not take the hook until September, upon their return from the northward. The roe in female specimens was found to be quite large in April. Size from 6 to 36 inches; one specimen, taken in September, 1871, with hook, measured 24 inches in length and weighed 32? pounds. In 1872 the species first appeared January 9, which was considered unusually early. The susceptibility of the squeteagues to cold, as was illustrated in the case of the preceding species, is shown also for the spotted squeteague in the following account of N. E. Armstrong, of Onslow County: When we have extremely cold and cloudy weather, and I believe also windy weather for three or four days, the trout at the mouth of New River are benumbed, and on the first sunny day, rise to the surface, and after a day or two die and sink to the bottom or are washed ashore. As soon as they rise, there are generally hundreds of men ready with nets, dip nets, gigs, and in some instances nothing but their hands and boats, to pick them up. They are sometimes washed ashore in long heaps, two and three feet deep, for « considerable distance. When these ‘“numbs” occur it is generally known throughout this and adjoining counties, and carts and wagons come for the fish by hundreds, sometimes from a distance of fifty or sixty miles. There was a “‘numb” in January, 1877, and another in the winter of 1879, about the same time, but they do not occur frequently.* It is interesting to observe that in the note on this species in Lawson’s work (1709) reference is made to the same phenomenon: Trouts of the salt water are exactly shaped like the trouts in Europe, having blackish, not red spots. They are in the Salts, and are not red within, but white, yet a very good fish. They are so tender that if they are in or near fresh water, and a sudden frost come, they are benum’d and float on the surface of the water, as if dead; and then they take up canoe-loads of them. If you put them into warm water, they perfectly recover. The egg of this species is somewhat smaller than that of the northern squeteague, and hatches in 40 hours in water of 77°F. The spawning grounds are the bays and sounds. *American Fishes. By G. Brown Goode. New York, 1888. P. 119. PLATE 16 N. C. GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY Oo UNSOR YW (SNSOINAAN NOIOSONAD) HSISWVSM G3LLOdS fandvaLands d31Lo0ds ‘ SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 313 No recent statistics have been gathered to show the relative catch of “spotted trout” and “gray trout” in this state. In 1880 the yield of the former was 950,000 pounds as against only 170,000 pounds of the latter. Dr. Coker contributes the following data pertaining to the year 1903 and the seasons imme- diately preceding in the Beaufort region: The spotted trout is taken now in spring and fall as it was formerly, but not in such quantities as in winter. The special value of this fish to the fisherman at present is that it is caught during the winter when other fish are scarce. The winter fishing is of recent develop- ment, and large schools of spotted trout are now found. It is hardly to be supposed that fishermen who sail up and down the sounds and bays, and whose daily experience trains their eyes to detect schools of fish, have for years overlooked such schools as now appear in frequented or easily accessible places. Presumably, the presence of these schools in winter presents something new and unexplained. Possibly the explanation could be found in changed condi- tions at some other originally frequented place. Sometimes a school of trout is found in some creek where it is possible to hem them in and hold them. Then by some device the law against placing an obstruction entirely across such creeks is evaded or disregarded, and the entire school of possibly ten or fifteen thousand pounds is taken out at once, or in installments. Two years ago an immense catch was made in this way; the figures cannot be given, but one dealer states that he received 60,000 pounds from this one school and estimates that it con- tained over 100,000 pounds. Spotted trout, formerly classed with the gray trout, are now in better and growing demand and are regarded as less deserving of the name weak-fish, as the flesh is firmer and keeps better. To the fishermen they are worth 2 cents a pound more than the squeteague, which means about double the price of the latter. Formerly there was a good demand for the sounds of trout, the price ranging from 75 cents to $1.25 per pound. A unique instrument was devised by means of which the sounds could be extracted through the throat and gill cleft, without other injury to the fish, which were afterwards strung or boxed and sold. The essential part of this instrument was the “hook”, a piece of stiff wire hooked at the end and filed sharp. The hook might or might not have a ‘‘gouger” of wood attached. Now only one dealer ships the sounds, receiving 25 to 30 cents per pound. In the Cape Fear region this fish is caught mostly from September to May; it weighs 2 to 10 pounds and brings twice as much per pound as the “ gray trout”’. Genus LARIMUS Cuvier & Valenciennes. Small American shore fishes, with elongate, compressed body; large, terminal mouth, which is vertical or very oblique; short snout; projecting lower jaw; very small teeth; no bony teeth on preopercle; well developed pseudo- branchie; long and slender gill-rakers. Six known species, 1 found on coast of United States. (Larimus, a name whose significance has not been stated.) 271. LARIMUS FASCIATUS Holbrook. Bullhead (S. C.); Chub (S. 0.); Banded Drum. Larimus fasciatus Holbrook, Ichthyology of South Carolina, 153, pl. 22, fig. 1, 1860; Charleston. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1424. Dracnosis.—Body much compressed, back elevated, depth .33 length; head contained 3.5 times in total length; length of snout contained 5.5 times in head; maxillary .5 length of head, extending as far as posterior third of eye; teeth small, in single series in each jaw; eye .25 head; minute cilia on preopercle; gill-rakers as long as eye, 36 in number, 24 being below 314 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. angle; scales large, ctenoid, about 50 in lateral series, 14 to 16 in transverse series; dorsal rays x+1,24 to 26, third and fourth spines contained 2} times in head; anal rays 11,5 or 11,6, second spine .33 length of head. Color: grayish olive above, silvery white below; 7 to 9 dark vertical bars extending from back to middle of sides; anal, ventrals, and lower rays of caudal yellow; cheeks, opercles, inside of mouth, and gill-cavity light yellow. (fasciatus, banded.) The regular range of this species is Chesapeake Bay to Texas, but stragglers have been found as far north as Massachusetts (Woods Hole). It is not common anywhere, and has not heretofore been recorded from North Carolina. Within the past few years several specimens have been collected at Beaufort, and 3 about 3 inches long, obtained in 1902, are now in the laboratory at that place. The species probably does not exceed 1 foot in length. Genus BAIRDIELLA Gill. Mademoiselles. Small American shore fishes, mostly of a plain silvery color, with moder- ately elongate, compressed body; elevated back; somewhat oblique mouth, with small teeth in several rows; slender gill-rakers; toothed margin of preoper- cle; and continuous dorsal fin. The species are mostly subtropical, only 1 being known from the United States. (Named for Spencer Fullerton Baird, late U.S. Commissioner of Fisheries and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.) 272. BAIRDIELLA OHRYSURA (Lacépéde). “Perch”; “White Perch’’; “Sand Perch”; ‘“ Yellow-finned Perch”’; “Silver Perch”’; Yellow-tail. Dipterodon chrysurus Lacépéde, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, iii, 64, 1802; South Carolina. Bairdiella punctata, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 377; Beaufort. Sciena chrysura, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887,90; Beaufort, Bairdiella chrysura, Goode, 1884, 375; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1433, pl. cexxii, fig. 566. Linton, 1905, 387; Beaufort. Fig. 140. Yeuuow-raiw. Bairdiella chrysura. Disenosis.—Body oblong, compressed, the depth .33 total length; head contained 3.33 to 3.50 times in length; snout short and blunt, as long as eye; maxillary extending beyond SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 315 pupil; teeth in lower jaw in a close-set series, with a few smaller teeth in front, teeth in upper jaw in a villiform band, with a series of small canines outside; preopercle serrate; gill-rakers long and slender, 24 in number, 16 on lower arm; scales in lateral series about 50, in transverse series 20; dorsal rays x1-+1,22; anal rays 11,10; caudal, double truncate; soft dorsal and anal scaled for about half their height. Color: dull greenish above, silvery below; upper parts with minute dark specks which form streaks along sides; fins mostly yellow; peritoneum white. (chrysura, golden-tailed.) a The yellow-tail, which is known as “perch”, “silver perch”’, “white perch”, “yellow finned perch’’, and “sand perch” in North Carolina, frequents the shore of the Middle Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Guif States. It abounds in the North Carolina sounds, estuaries, and salt waters generally from early spring to late fall, and may be present in winter on the southern part of the coast. Its maximum length is only about 8 inches, and it is therefore too small to be of great economic value, but it is an excellent pan fish, comparable with the spot. The male yellow-tails make a faint drumming sound, which usually lasts 5 to 10 seconds; while the sound continues the abdomen is flattened and the sides rise slightly. The air-bladder is similar to that of the squeteagues, con- _ sisting of a long cylindrical body, a head, and two short horns. The drum- ming muscles are connected by a stout tendon or aponeurosis. Spawning of the yellow-tails at Beaufort occurs during late April and early May. By June the young of the year are about an inch long, and during summer specimens of all sizes from 1 to 7 inches long are observed. Genus STELLIFER Oken. Small American fishes, allied to Bairdiella, chiefly distinguished by the spongy and cavernous structure of the skull, which is broad and flattened between the eyes. Of the numerous species, only 1 is known from the United States coasts. (Stellifer, star-bearing, in allusion to the radiating lines on the suborbital.) 273. STELLIFER LANCEOLATUS (Holbrook). Homoprion lanceolatus Holbrook, Ichthyology of South Carolina, ed. i, 168, pl. 23, 1856: Port Royal Sound, Beaufort, S. C. Stellifer lanceolatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1443. Diacnosis.—Body elongate, compressed, depth contained about 3.33 times in length; head short, deep, equal to depth; mouth moderate, maxillary extending to pupil; snout short, about .25 length of head; eye .2 length of head; 6 to 8 spines on preopercle; teeth in upper jaw in broad bands; interorbital space .33 length of head; gill-rakers .75 diameter of eye, 35 in number, 22 on lower arm of first arch; scales in lateral series 47 to 50, in transverse series 13; dorsal fins continuous; dorsal rays x1+1,20 (to 23), the spines slender, the soft rayslow and of uniform length; anal rays 11,7 or 11,8; caudal fin with its central rays longest; first ventral ray filiform. Color: bluish gray above, silvery white below; a series of small black spots at base of dorsal fin; fins more or less yellow. (Janceolatus, lanceolate, in allusion to the shape of the caudal.) This small, rare drum, heretofore known from South Carolina to Texas in rather deep water, was found at Beaufort in the summer of 1903, and 2 specimens about 3 inches long are now in the laboratory museum. The maximum length appears to be only 6 inches. 316 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Genus LEIOSTOMUS Lacépéde. Spots. This genus, which contains only 1 known species, is characterized by a comparatively short, elevated, compressed body, with short, obtuse head, small mouth, rounded snout, toothless lower jaw, entire preopercular margin, con- tinuous dorsal fins, the anterior high and with 10 spines, and short gill-rakers, (Leiostomus, smooth mouth.) 274. LEIOSTOMUS XANTHURWUS Lacépéde. “Spot”; “Jimmy”; Chub (S. C.); Roach (Va.); Goody; Lafayette. Leiostomus xanthurus Lacépéde, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, iv, 439, pl. 10, fig. 1, 1802; Carolina. Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 377; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Earll, 1887, 486, 493; Beaufort region and coast near Wilmington Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Jordan & Ever- mann, 1898, 1458, pl. cexxiii, fig. 569. Linton, 1905, 391; Beaufort. Leiostomus obliquus, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 377; Beaufort. a Fig. 141. Spor. Leiostomus xanthurus. Diagnosis.—Back elevated, much compressed in front of dorsal, depth .33 length; head | contained about 3.5 times in total length; snout blunt, contained about 3.5 times in head; mouth small, horizontal, slightly inferior, maxillary extending to pupil; eye shorter than snout, about .25 length of head; gill-rakers short and slender, about 30 in number, 22 below angle; scales strongly ctenoid, number in lateral series 60 to 70, in transverse series about 20; dorsal rays X+ 1,30 (to 32), the longest spine (third) .66 length of head; soft dorsal with a sheath of scales along its base; anal rays 11,12; pectorals as long as head; ventrals .33 shorter; caudal slightly forked. Color: bluish gray above, silvery below; back and sides with 12 to 15 narrow bronze or yellow bands extending obliquely downward and forward; a round bronze or yellow spot on shoulder; fins pale yellow, the soft dorsal with a row of pale blue spots involving only the membranes, the caudal margin black. (xanthurus, yellow-tailed.) The spot, which gets its name from the round mark on its shoulder, inhabits the east coast of the United States from Massachusetts to Texas, and is one of the most abundant and best known of our food fishes. It abounds in the sounds and other coastal waters of North Carolina, and often enters water that is perfectly fresh. In spring, during the shad fishery, it is found throughout PLATE 17 N. C, GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY (SANYNHLNYX SNWOLSOIS1) LOdS SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 317 Albemarle Sound, being frequently taken in the shad seines and pound nets of the Avoca section. In the Beaufort region the spot is exceedingly abundant, being exceeded in numbers only by mullet among the staple food fishes. The fish is known almost everywhere in the state as “spot”, but the name “jimmy” is also in quite general use. The species seldom exceeds 10 inches in length and averages only 6 or 7 inches. One of the largest specimens of which a record has been made was collected by Mr. Worth at Cape Lookout in November, 1903; it was a ripe male 13 inches long over all, 11 inches to base of tail, and 4 inches deep. The mouth of the spot is small and weak, and the foot consists chiefly of little invertebrates (mollusks, crustaceans, annelids, sea-urchins, etc.) and young or small fishes. Sea-weeds are not infrequently found in the stomach, but whether they are taken intentionally is not known. The male spots makes a drumming sound which is not nearly so loud as that produced by the croaker, the air-bladder being very thin and the special drumming muscle only slightly developed. © Spawning occurs in North Carolina in late fall or early winter in the salt- water sounds and inlets, but no special observations on the eggs have been made. The very young may be found in great abundance at Beaufort in late winter, and from that time until maturity the growth of the fish may be observed in all the local waters south of Cape Hatteras. In the early part of March the young are about 1 inch long, but some examples only .5 inch long are noted at Beaufort as late as April 1. By the middle of April they have attained a length of 1.6 to 1.75 inches, and by the middle of May they average 2 to 2.25 inches. By June 15 fish 3 to 3.5 inches long are met with, and by the end of that month specimens 4 inches long may be taken. Through the summer the growth continues rapid, and it would seem that spawning size may be reached within a year after hatching. The very young are marked with vague oblique bars, but the characteristic color pattern and the shoulder spot do not appear till the fish are about 2 inches long. The spot does not support a special fishery in this state, but is taken inci- dently in seines, gill nets, and pound nets in all the coastal counties, the bulk of the catch being credited to Dare, Carteret, Hyde, and New Hanover counties in the order given. In 1890 the quantity sold was 408,260 pounds, worth $10,862. By 1897 the product had increased to 849,980 pounds, valued at $14,197. The yield in 1902 was 872,695 pounds, for which the fishermen received $20,116; of this quantity 208,800 pounds, worth $7,384, were salted. In North Carolina, as elsewhere, the spot ranks high as a food and is by many persons regarded as the best of the salt-water pan fishes. There is a good demand for North Carolina spots in Baltimore, Washington, and-other mar- kets of the Chesapeake region, and the fish is also rated high as a salt fish for local consumption. 318 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Genus MICROPOGON Cuvier & Valenciennes. Croakers. Moderate sized American shore fishes, with somewhat elongate body; large rounded snout; strongly serrate preopercle; teeth in villiform bands; a row of short, slender barbels on each side of chin; short gill-rakers; bitruncate caudal fin; and air-bladder with long, slender lateral horns. Of the 5 or 6 known species, only 1 inhabits the waters of the United States. (Micropogon, small beard.) . 275. MICROPOGON UNDULATUS (Linnezus). “Oroaker’’; ‘‘Orocus”’; ‘‘Hard-head’’. Perca undulata Linnezus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 483, 1766; South Carolina. Micropogon undulatus, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 378; Beaufort. Goode, 1884, 378; Beaufort. Earll, 1887, 493; coast near Wilmington. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1461, pl. cexxiv, fig. 570. Linton, 1905, 394; Beaufort. Diacnosis.—Form stout, back moderately elevated and compressed, depth contained 3.3 times in total length; head large, equal to depth, snout prominent, twice length of eye; mouth small, horizontal, the maxillary barely reaching front of eye; eye .2 length of head or less; gill- rakers about 23, 16 below angle; scales in lateral series about 55, in transverse series 28; dorsal rays X+ 1,28 (or 29), the spinous part high, the longest spine a little less than .5 length of head; anal rays 11,7, the longest ray equal to longest dorsal spine; pectorals pointed, .6 head. Color: brassy or grayish silvery above, silvery white below; back profusely spotted with dark brown, the spots smaller than scales and irregularly arranged; sides marked with numerous wavy, dark brown oblique stripes, longest anteriorly and becoming very short under posterior end of soft dorsal fin where they terminate; both dorsal fins with numerous small dark spots; caudal dusky greenish; other fins pale yellow. (undulatus, wavy.) Fig. 142. Croaxer. Micropogon undulatus. This fish, known as croaker throughout its range, is one of the commonest food fishes on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. While it is occasionally taken as far north as Massachusetts, it is not ordinarily numerous north of Chesa- peake Bay.. It is one of the most abundant food fishes of the North Carolina coast, being found in the sounds, estuaries, and inlets, and on the outer shores from early spring; and in Beaufort Harbor is said to be exceeded in abundance only by the mullet and the spot among the staple market fishes. The croaker gets its name from the peculiar grunting or croaking noise it PLATE 18 N. C, GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY NOM v (SNLVINGNN NOSOdJOYSIN) YANVOND SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 319 emits, through the joint action of a tense air-bladder and a rapidly contracting pair of special muscles. This sound may be heard for a considerable distance below the surface when a fish is caught on the hook, and is also produced after the fish is landed. Both sexes croak, in which respect this species differs from all other local scienids. The croaker’s air-bladder is of a very peculiar shape. ‘The body is oblong; from each side arises a slender process or horn which extends forward beyond the anterior end of the bladder and then curves backward, the two horns approaching close together near the anterior pole; extending backward from the posterior end of the bladder is a slender tail-like appendage. On parts of Pamlico Sound this fish is known as “hard-head’’, and “‘crocus” isin quite generaluse. The latter name, which has by some persons been regarded as a modern corruption of croaker, was applied to the fish in North Carolina at least as early as 1709, when John Lawson wrote: The crocus is a fish, in shape like a pearch, and in taste like a whiting. They croke and make a noise in your hand, when taken with hook or net. They are very good. The croaker does not usually exceed 10 or 12 inches in length but may reach 18 inches. It feeds largely on crustaceans, and bites readily at crab bait, but it also eats fish. The stomach contents of 17 adults examined by Dr. Coker at Beaufort in June and July consisted chiefly of razor clams, annelids, and amphi- pods. Twelve young croakers, 2 to 3.5 inches long, contained large numbers of young and.adult copepods and amphipods, young barnacles (cypris stage), ostracods, and nematode worms. The spawning time of the croaker is late fall or early winter, and the spawn- ing grounds are the sounds, estuaries, and inside waters generally. By the first of August the young have attained an average length of 5 inches in Beaufort Harbor, and by the time the spawning period arrives the largest yearlings may be 7 or 8 inches long. Among the salt-water fishes of the state the croaker is exceeded in impor- tance by only the mullets and squeteagues. At Beaufort and other points it was for a long time regarded with little favor and often discarded, but it has now become a very salable species, being a good pan fish and keeping well when shipped to the markets. It is caught along the entire coast in seines, gill nets, and pound nets, and is taken also in considerable quantities with hand lines, especially in Craven County. From 285,775 pounds, worth $7,172, marketed in 1889 the yield arose to 1,279,000 pounds, worth $18,936, in 1897, and by 1902 the catch had increased to 1,928,635 pounds, valued at $38,320. A small pro- portion of the product is salted. Genus SCLENOPS Gill. Red Drums. This genus includes a single species, and is distinguished by a rather elongate, slightly compressed body; arched back; well developed teeth in jaws; short, thick gill-rakers; serrations on preopercle disappearing with age; absence of scales on soft dorsal fin, and other characters indicated in the foregoing key. (Scienops, having the appearance of Sciena, an ancient name of one of the Mediterranean drums.) 320 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 276. SOLANOPS OCELLATUS (Linnezus). “Drum”; “Red Drum”; “Puppy Drum” (young); “Spotted Bass”; Channel Bass; Red-fish; Branded Drum (S. 0O.). Perca ocellata Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 483, 1766; South Carolina. Scienops ocellatus, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 378; Beaufort. Jordan & Ever- mann, 1898, 1453, pl. cexxii, fig. 567. Linton, 1905, 390; Beaufort. Sciena ocellata, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887,90; Beaufort. Earll, 1887, 486; Beaufort. Disenosis.—Form rather robust, depth contained 3.5 times in length; head long, equal to depth, profile rather steep; snout blunt, .25 length of head; eye .14 length of head; mouth large, horizontal, maxillary extending nearly to posterior edge of eye; jaw teeth in villiform bands, the outer teeth in upper jaw enlarged; gill-rakers very short, less than diameter of pupil, 12 in number, of which 7 are below angle; scales in lateral series 45 to 50, in transverse series 16, those on breast deeply imbedded; dorsal fins scarcely separate, rays x +1,24; anal fin long, rays 11,8; caudal margin square or slightly concave. Color: silvery red; each scale with a dark center, these marks forming obscure lateral stripes; a jet black spot at base of caudal fin above; sometimes several such spots, and occasionally a line of them along the sides. (ocel- latus, having eye-like spots.) Fig. 143. Rep Drum; Rep-risa. Scienops ocellatus. The red drum is one of the largest and most valuable fishes of the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts; it occurs as a straggler as far north as Massachusetts, but is not regularly taken in any numbers north of Chesapeake Bay. It reaches a length of 5 feet and a weight of 75 pounds; the average weight, however, is about 10 pounds. The food consists of small fish and crustaceans. In North Carolina, where this fish is called “drum”, “red drum”, and “spotted bass”, it is abundant and is a food fish of moderate importance, being caught with nets and lines in the spring, fall and winter. The fishery is most extensive in Carteret County. In the Cape Fear region the fish is taken chiefly from September to March. Mr. George N. Ives states that it is found in Neuse River throughout the year. It is abundant about Roanoke Island in spring, especially in May, going in large schools. There is a record of a 59-pound fish caught with a line at Manteo. The value of the red drum varies much in accordance with the size. At Beaufort four grades are recognized by fishermen and dealers: ‘“ Puppy drums”, N. C. GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY PLATE 19 A MOEN ACO, RED-FISH (SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS) RED DRUM; SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 321 “yearling drums”, “two-foot drums”, and “old drums”. The most valued is the yearling, but the two-foot drum is of nearly the same value; these are shipped to the northern markets. The puppy drums are shipped only in boxes of assorted fish. The old drums, while highly prized as game fish, are of little value as food when eaten fresh, but are very acceptable when salted and dried, the viscera being removed, the back-bone taken out, and the sides cut off, salted, and laid out to dry, often on the roof of the fisherman’s house. The dried fish are rather coarse, but with proper cooking are reported to be very good. The catch of this species in North Carolina in 1902 was about 200,000 pounds, valued at about $3,000. The characteristic caudal spot normally lies between the lateral line and the upper edge of the tail, and is about the size of the eye. Supernumerary spots are often met with, these being in advance of the other spot above, on, or below the lateral line or occasionally immediately below the regular mark; the extra spots are nearly always smaller, and usually abseut from one side. Genus MENTICIRRHUS Gill. Whitings. Small American shore fishes, most frequently found on sandy bottom; char- acterized by elongate, little compressed body; long conical head with overhang- ing snout; small, horizontal mouth, with teeth in bands in both jaws; a single barbel on chin; short gill-rakers; 10 or 11 rather high, slender dorsal spines; anal fin with a single sharp spine; asymmetrical caudal fin, the upper lobe sharp, the lower rounded; and absent air-bladder. Three of the 9 or 10 known species are found on the North Carolina coast, and are not often distinguished, all being known there as ‘“‘sea mullet’’. Key to the North Carolina species of Menticirrhus. z. Gill-rakers on first arch mere tubercular projections, covered with teeth; scales on breast large; some of outer teeth in upper jaw enlarged; body with more or less distinct dark markings. a. Soft rays of dorsal fin 25 or 26; spinous dorsal little elevated, the longest spine not reach- ing soft dorsal when flexed; color silvery gray with obscure dusky bars on back and sides: pectorals: yellowish. ess sinesees sinus aoe ea ered BA DEA REE Ss a americanus. aa. Soft rays of dorsal fin 26 or 27; spinous dorsal elevated, the longest spine reaching beyond front of soft dorsal when flexed; color dusky gray, with well defined black irregular bars on back and sides; color sometimes almost entirely black; pectorals dark...... sazatilis. a. Gill-rakers on first arch short and slender; scales on breast small; outer teeth in upper jaw scarcely enlarged; body silvery, without any dark markings whatever......... littoralis. (Menticirrhus, chin barbel.) 277. MENTICIRRHUS AMERICANUS (Linneus). “Sea Mullet”; ‘‘Whiting”’; ‘‘Round-head”’; ‘‘Sea-mink’”’; ““King-fish”; ‘‘Virginia Mullet’’; Carolina Whiting. Cyprinus americanus Linnezus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 321, 1758; Carolina. Menticirrus alburnus, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Goode, 1884, 376; Cape lear River, N. C., to Rio Grande, Texas, Earll, 1887, 486; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887,90; Beaufort. Kendall & Smith, 1894, 24; Hat- teras Inlet. Menticirrhus americanus, Jordan & Evermann. 1898, 1474, pl. cexxv, fig. 572. Linton, 1905, 398; Beaufort. -Dracnosis.—Depth .20 to .25 length; head .28 length; maxillary reaching as far as pupil; outer teeth in upper jaw much enlarged; eye small, .14 length of head,..5 length of snout; scales 322 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. in lateral series 55; dorsal rays x1+ 1,24 (or 25): anal rays 1,7; lower caudal lobe longer than upper. Color: silvery gray, with obscure dusky bars on back and sides; a dark bar at nape; pectoral fins yellow, with dusky tip. This is a common species from Chesapeake Bay to Texas on sandy shores, and is the principal member of the genus at Beaufort and other points on the North Carolina coast. The prevailing local name is ‘‘sea mink,” but “whiting” is also in use, and of late the name “‘king-fish”’ has come into vogue through trans- fer from the New York market. Another name that is quite local is “Virginia mullet’’, which is heard from Beaufort to Wilmington. About Roanoke Island, where this fish is known as “king-fish’, ‘‘sea mullet”, and “‘round-head”, it is abundant and bites freely at the hook from May to Sep- tember; the average weight of line-caught fish in that section is reported to be 1.5 pounds, but some fish are said to weigh 3 pounds. In Pamlico Sound, during the winter of 1901-2, 2 kingfishes each 7 inches long, and laterally connected so as to constitute twins, were caught with hook and line by Joseph H. Kemp, of Baltimore, Maryland. Fig. 144. Kine-risu; Carotina Wurtine. Menticirrhus americanus. In the Cape Lookout fisheries, the ‘‘sea mullet” is common; it there usually runs .5 pound, but examples weighing 1 pound or more areoften taken. Accord- ing to Mr. W. H. Yopp, this fish is supplied to the Wilmington market from July to December, being known there as ‘‘Virginia mullet”’; it weiglis from .5 pound to 1.5 pounds, and brings the fishermen 3.5 cents a pound on an average. In the Beaufort region the laboratory seines take this species everywhere, but not in great numbers at any one time, and no large specimens have been obtained in this way. The species is most abundant in spring, but is also present in numbers in fall, when it is found in schools on the outer beaches. During summer the fish is almost entirely absent from the Beaufort waters. The species is a bottom feeder, and subsists chiefly on small mollusks and crustaceans, although it will. sometimes bite readily at a hook baited with fish. The spawning season is early June, and ripe fish of both sexes have been noted at Beaufort during the first week of that month.. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 323 The whiting is of exceptionally good quality. In New York there is steady but limited demand for it, and only there does it command a fancy price; but while it has been known to bring 75 cents a pound, the market is easily over- stocked, and frequently only 3 cents a pound is obtained. It is not uncommon for the price to drop from 30 cents a pound one day to 5 cents a pound the next. Dr. Coker gives this account of the whiting fishery at Beaufort: King-fish are caught in small numbers when fishing with hook and line for gray trout, and are taken more abundantly in the drag nets; but the most remunerative method is with the sink net, employed near Cape Lookout. A gill net of 1.37-inch bar and 75 to 100 yards in length, or shorter, is weighted and lowered to the bottom with its ends buoyed. The next morning the net is taken up, sometimes with a king-fish seemingly in every mesh. It is remarkable that thousands of king-fish may be caught, and not a single other fish; but some- times, instead, gray trout are taken or immense hauls of croakers. Occasionally the weight of the fish taken is so great that it is necessary to cut the net in pieces to get it in. It is stated that in the last few years this fishery has not been so successful. 278. MENTICIRRHUS SAXATILIS (Bloch & Schneider). “Sea Mullet’; Sea-mink’’; ‘‘King-fish’’; ‘‘Whiting’”; Barb; Hake Johnius sazatilis Bloch & Schneider, Systema Ichthyologie, 75, 1801; New York. Menticirrus nebulosus, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Goode, 1884, 375; North Carolina, Menticirrhus saxatilis, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1475. Dracnosis.—Depth contained about 4.5 times in length; head contained 3.75 to 4 times in length; mouth large, maxillary extending to pupil; snout long, more than .25 length of head; eye small, .14 length of head and .4 length of snout; scales in lateral series 53; dorsal rays x+ 1,26 (or 27); anal rays1,8. Color: dusky above, with distinct, irregular, oblique, blackish bands extending downward and forward on back and sides; pale below, bounded by a dark lateral streak extending to lower caudal lobe; pectorals dark; entire body except abdomen sometimes black. (saxatilis, pertaining to rocks.) Although this fish ranges from Massachusetts as far south as western Florida, it is most common north of Chesapeake Bay. This is the species to which the name ‘‘king-fish” properly belongs. In North Carolina it is not usually dis- tinguished from Menticirrhus americanus and bears the same names; and, accord- ing to Goode, it is also called “sea mink” there. A weight of 2 pounds is attained. Spawning takes place in June in southern Massachusetts; by October, when they have withdrawn from those waters, the young have attained a length of 4 or 5 inches; many of the young and half-grown fish are almost jet black, while others exhibit the normal markings of the adult. The king-fish is one of the choicest food fishes of our east coast, and is espe- cially esteemed in New York and New Jersey. In North Carolina it is sent to market with the preceding species, and the two, as has heen stated, bring a good price. «¢ 279. MENTICIRRHUS LITTORALIS (Holbrook). “Sea Mullet”; ‘‘Whiting’’; Surf Whiting; Silver Whiting. Umbrina littoralis Holbrook, Ichthyology of South Carolina, 1st ed., 142, pl. 20, fig. 1, 1856; South Carolina. Menticirrus littoralis, Yarrow, 1877, 210; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 378; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1477; North Carolina tu Texas. 3824 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Diacnosis.—Depth contained about 45 times in length; head contained 3.5 times in length; snout. overhanging, .28 length of head; maxillary extending about to pupil; eye con- tained 6.5 times in head; scales in lateral series 53; dorsal rays. x+ 1,23 (to 25); anal rays 1,7; caudal fin with concave margin, upper lobe not longer than lower. Color: above s'lvery gray without markings, below white; dorsal fins l'ght brown, spinous part with black tip; caudal pale, with black tip. (littoralis, pertaining to the shores.) : ie Fig. 145. Surr Wuitine. Menticirrhus littoralis. The surf whiting or silver whiting abounds on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, rarely if ever straying north of North Carolina. In size and habits it is like the other species, from which it is not always distinguished by fishermen. Jordan & Gilbert reported the fish as rather common at Beaufort in summer, and found the young abundant in the surf on the outer beach, in company with pom- pano. At Cape Lookout spawning fish were found by the writer in June, and at Beaufort ripe eggs have been taken on several occasions between June 1 and 10. Genus POGONIAS Lacépéde. Black Drums. Large marine drums, with rather short, deep, elevated body; moderate sized mouth with teeth in bands in both jaws; numerous barbels on lower jaw; entire preopercular margin; short and blunt gill-rakers; large pesudobranchia; large, thick, complicated air-bladder; continuous dorsal fins, the anterior high and with slender spines; caudal fin square; and greatly enlarged second anal spine. One species South American, 1 North American. (Pogonias, bearded.) 280. POGONIAS OROMIS (Linnzus). “Black Drum”’; “Sea Drum’’. Labrus cromis Linnzus. Systema Nature, ed. xii, 479, 1766; Carolina. Pogonias cromis, Yarrow, 1877, 209; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 377; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 90; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1482, pl. ecxxv, fig. 573. Draenosis.—Form robust, back much elevated, ventral outline straight, depth .37 to .40 total length; head contained 3.3 times in length; lower jaw shorter than upper, with numer- ous short barbels mostly on chin; maxillary not extending as far as pupil; snout blunt, longer than eye; eye .20 to .25 head; gill-rakers 16, 12 below angle of first arch; scales large, 47 in lateral series, 16 in transverse series; dorsal rays x+ 1,20; anal rays 11,5 or 1,6, the second spine very broad and .4 to .6 length of head; caudal fin long and truncate; pectorals long, reaching fourth ray of soft dorsal. Color: silvery gray; young with 4 or 5 broad vertical dark bands, SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 325 3 of which extend on dorsal fins, these bands disappearing in adult; fins dark, (cromis, an ancient name for some similar fish, meaning a croaker or grunter.) The black drum is found on the coasts of the Middle Atlantic, South Atlan- tic, and Gulf States, and is a common species, well known on account of its large size, which probably exceeds that of any other drum. The largest specimen known, taken in Florida, weighed 146 pounds. Examples weighing 40 to 60 pounds are common. The drum is a bottom feeder, and is aided in its feeding by the sensitive fila- ments which depend from the chin. It consumes all kinds of crustaceans and mollusks; and its teeth are so strong and its jaws so powerful that oysters and other thick-shelled mollusks are easily crushed. Schools of drum sometimes do great damage to oyster beds, and have been known to destroy in a single night practically every oyster on a planted ground. Fig. 146. Buackx Drum. Pogonias cromis. Adult. At Beaufort the black drum is found along with the red drum, but is less abundant. Writing of the species at Beaufort in 1871, Yarrow said: _ Exceedingly abundant, resident, and is taken both within and outside of the inlet. This species runs in schools in early spring, but in the fall is generally found alone, and will take the hook. Size 10 inches to 5 feet. The black drum is now less abundant at Beaufort than the red drum (which Yarrow reported as not abundant), and is much less valuable, the flesh being coarse and stringy; and, according to the fishermen, it is a very wormy fish, being infested with parasites. It is never shipped, but is eaten locally by some people. Genus EQUES Bloch. Ribbon-fishes. Small fishes of striking form and coloration, with elongate body tapering rapidly backward from the anterior dorsal fin; rather small mouth; included lower jaw; teeth in broad bands; fringed preopercular margin without bony teeth; short, slender gill-rakers; anterior dorsal fin placed far forward, very high, 326 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. composed of weak, close-set spines; posterior dorsal low, with numerous soft rays. About 5 American species, 3 of which are found on our southern coast. (Eques, a horseman.) 281. EQUES ACUMINATUS (Bloch & Schneider). Ribbon-fish. Grammistes acuminatus Bloch & Schneider, Systema Ichthyologize, 184, 1801; no locality given. Eques acuminatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1487. Diacnosis.—Form elongate, compressed, with steep profile, the greatest depth contained 2.6 times in length; maxillary extending beyond center of pupil and contained 3 times in length of head; eye less than snout, .25 head; interorbital space less than eye; gill-rakers short and slender, 6+ 9 on first arch; scales rather large, about 50 in lateral series; dorsal rays x+ 1,38 (to 40), the spines not much elevated, the longest .22 length of body and .62 head; anal rays 11,7, the second spine .42 head; caudal margin straight; pectorals .63 head. Color: adults dark brown, with about 7 lengthwise whitish stripes on body and head; fins dusky. (acwminatus, ending in a sharp point.) The recorded range of this species is from Charleston, through the West Indies, to Brazil. It has not heretofore been noted from North Carolina, and may occur there only as a straggler, although more likely it occurs regularly south of Cape Hatteras in suitable haunts. One specimen was taken in Beau- fort Harbor in September, 1903; another was caught in a trap at the laboratory wharf in October of the same year; a third specimen was brought to notice by the explosion of a charge of dynamite in a wrecked bark in Beaufort Harbor on Nov. 23, 1903; and another was obtained sometime during the summer of that year. In the summer of 1904 still another specimen was collected at Beaufort by Dr. E. W. Gudger. These specimens were from 3 to 5 inches long, and all were of a light color, with about 7 dark brown lengthwise stripes. Apparently, as the fish grows the width of the dark stripes increases and encroaches on the original light ground-color, so that finally the general color becomes dark brown, with pale longitudinal stripes (so-called variety umbrosus). Family LABRID. The Labrids, or Lipped Fishes. A very numerous and important family, found mostly in tropical waters but also represented in temperate regions. The family takes its name from the presence of conspicuous thick, longitudinally-folded lips in each jaw, which char- acter, together with protractile premaxillaries, maxillaries without supplemental bone, and strong, prominent jaw teeth, gives to the mouth a peculiar appearance. Body moderately elongate, in some species greatly compressed, and covered with persistent cycloid scales; mouth terminal and usually of small or moderate size, with no vomerine or palatine teeth; jaw teeth separate or else fused at their base; lower pharyngeal bones firmly united and surmounted with conical or tubercular teeth; nostrils round, without flaps, and double on each side; branchi- ostegals 5 or 6, pseudobranchize well developed, and gill-arches 3.5; pyloric coeca absent; air-bladder present; dorsal fin continuous and usually long, the SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 327 spines varying from 3 to 20; anal fin with 2 to6 spines and similar to soft dorsal; ventrals thoracic, with 1 weak spine and 5 soft rays. About 20 American gen- era, of which the following 5 are now known from the coast of North Carolina: Key to the North Carolina genera of labrids. i. Dorsal spines 16; caudal fin truncate; lateral line complete; jaw teeth in two series in each jaw, the 4 anterior canines; vertebra 36 .........--.-2.2 eee nese mee tains TAUTOGA. ti. Dorsal spines 9 to 14; caudal fin either forked or rounded; lateral line interrupted or com- plete; jaw teeth in a single series in each jaw; vertebre 22 to 29. : a. Dorsal spines 14; the anterior spines greatly elongated; scales in lateral series 40; caudal fin deeply forked. ........ 6.0. e eee cee ett tee e tenes LACHNOLAIMUS. aa. Dorsal spines 9, none greatly elongated; scales in lateral series 30 or less; caudal fin rounded. b. Lateral line complete, uninterrupted; cheeks and opercles naked; anterior canines 2 in upper jaw, 4in lower ........-- 20sec e eect ete ee _. IRIDIO. bb. Lateral line interrupted posteriorly; cheeks and opercles scaly; anterior canines 2 in each jaw. c. Posterior canines present; 3 anterior dorsal spines with a filamentous appendage; cheeks and opercles scaly.... 0.0... 2. ee eeeec erect e eee eeeee DoRATONOTUS. ce, Posterior canines absent; no dorsal spines filamentous; head naked except a few scales below Cye... 6. cece cece eee ennees XYRICHTHYS. Genus TAUTOGA Mitchill. Tautogs. This genus, which contains a single species, has the following characters: Body oblong, robust, not greatly compressed; head large, superior profile rather strongly but evenly convex; caudal peduncle deep; mouth small, but jaws power- ful and teeth strong; teeth conical, in two series in each jaw, the anterior teeth larger and canine; gill-membranes free from isthmus; gill-rakers short and weak; body fully covered with small scales; head unscaled, except a small space pos- terior to and below eye, and another on upper part of opercle; vertical fins scaly; lateral line complete; dorsal fin very long but not high, the spinous part much longer than the soft, the 16 spines nearly equal and each with a soft appendage at tip; anal similar to but larger than soft dorsal; caudal short, square, with rounded tips; pectorals broad and short; ventrals placed well behind pectorals. The generic name has been formed from the most appropriate of the common names of the fish, which, in turn, was the name applied to the species by the Mohegan or Narragansett Indians. 282. TAUTOGA ONITIS (Linneus). “‘Oyster-fish’”’; Tautog. Labrus onitis Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. «, 286, 1758. Labrus hiatula Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 475, 1766; Carolina. Tautoga onitis, Yarrow, 1877, 207; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 374; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1578, pl. cexxxvii, fig. 596. Hiatula onitis, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Dracwnosis.—Depth contained 2.6 to 3 times in length; caudal peduncle .5 depth of body; head contained 3.25 to 3.5 times in length; mouth small, the maxillary extending not nearly to anterior margin of eye; jaws equal; snout blunt, .33 length of head; eye small, about .5 length of snout; gill-rakers on first arch 3+ 6, all short and blunt; scales in lateral series about 60, in transverse series about 14+ 25; 5 or 6 rows of minute scales on cheeks; lateral line arched ante- riorly, straight on caudal peduncle; dorsal rays xv1,10, the soft rays somewhat higher than the spinous; the longest spine .33 length of head; anal rays 111,8, the third spine longest; caudal very 328 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. short and broad; pectorals .75 length of head; ventrals .5 length of head. Color: dull blackish, blackish green, or blackish blue, often with irregular darker blotches or bands; lips, chin, throat, and belly lighter, sometimes white; eye green; young green or brown, more or less mottled with darker, or with dark, connected cross bands. (onitis, a kind of plant; application of name not known.) The tautog or “‘oyster-fish” reaches the southern limit of its range about Charleston, S. C., whence it is found as far north as New Brunswick; in the southern New England and Middle States it is abundant, and is a food fish of considerable importance, being caught mostly with hand lines. It is strictly a bottom species, preferring rocky or broken shores, where, sheltered in a crevice or by an overhanging rock, it often lies on its side or with its head or tail turned upward. The eyes are very movable, and the fish keeps a sharp lookout for food or enemies, rotating its eyes in a peculiar manner. Its strong teeth enable it to crush crustaceans and mollusks, which constitute its chief food; in New Eng- land it is especially fond of lobsters and crabs, which it attacks and dispatches very skilfully. Fig. 147. Tautoa. Tautoga onitis. The flesh is white, flaky, and well flavored. The maximum length is 3 feet, but the average is 12 to 15 inches and fish 2 feet long are not common. Spawning occurs in early summer. The eggs are numerous; a fish weighing less than 10 pounds has been known to yield more than 1,000,000 eggs. The eggs are buoyant, 1mm. in diameter, float at the surface, and hatch in 2 or 3 days when the water temperature is 70° F. In North Carolina, where the species is called ‘oyster-fish’’, it is not abun- dant and supports no special fishery. The fish referred to by Lawson (1709) as the ‘‘sea tench’? isidentified by Dr. Gill (1903) as the tautog. At Beaufort it is not uncommon, andthe young have at times been reported as ‘‘abundant about the wharves”. On March 27, 1906, a specimen was caught with hook and line from the pier on Pivers Island in Beaufort Harbor. In 1897 a catch of 14,125 pounds of tautog was reported, but in 1902 the quantity taken was only 2,650 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 329 pounds, all in Carteret County. The average price received by the fishermen is 2 cents a pound. Genus LACHNOLAIMUS Cuvier & Valenciennes. Hog-fishes. Body much compressed; back elevated and compressed to a sharp edge; snout sharp; profile steep; mouth terminal, horizontal, and low; premaxillary mostly concealed by broad preorbital; jaw teeth prominent, canine, in a single row; scales of moderate size; cheeks and opercles partly scaled; lateral line com- plete; dorsal fins continuous but distinct, the first with 14 spines of which the 3 anterior are very long and curved backward over the other spines; soft dorsal elongate; anal larger than soft dorsal, with 3 spines; caudal deeply concave, the lobes filamentous; pectorals and ventrals short. The genus contains a single species. (Lachnolaimus, velvet throat.) 285. LACHNOLAIMUS MAXIMUS (Walbaum). Hog-fish; Capitaine. Labrus maximus Walbaum, Artedi Genera Piscium, 261, 1792; Bahamas (after Catesby). Lachnolaimus maximus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1579, pl. cexxxvii, fig. 597. Diaenosis.—Back elevated, greatest body depth about .4 total length; head .33 length; mouth large, the gape wider in male, maxillary extending to a point under middle of eye; 4 prom- inent canine teeth in front of upper jaw, 2 in lower jaw with 2 small conical teeth between and a row of blunt teeth on sides of each jaw; snout .4. head; eye .20 head; scales in lateral series 36 to 39, in transverse series 21 to 25, 6 rows of scales on cheeks, 5 rows on opercles; dorsal rays, xiv,11 or 12, the longest spines much longer than head, the longest soft rays about equal to head; anal rays 111,11, the third spine longest. Color: varying from dull red to orange red, lighter below; cheeks greenish; a wavy blue line below eye; a black bar from snout to back of head; a large black spot at base of soft dorsal; dorsal greenish at base, with reddish edge; anal and caudal with rows of green spots; pectorals orange; ventrals reddish; in adult males the vertical fins usually black at base. (mazimus, largest.) This hog-fish should not be confounded with the hog-fish or pig-fish, Ortho- pristis, which is abundant on this coast, whereas Lachnolaimus is an exceedingly rare straggler. It is a well known and abundant species in the West Indies, southern Florida, and Bermuda, but does not appear to have been previously noted at any point on our Atlantic coast north of Florida, and the present record is based on a single young specimen 3.75 inches long seined at Beaufort in the summer of 1902. The fish reaches a weight of 20 pounds and is highly esteemed as food. Genus IRIDIO Jordan & Evermann. Slippery Dicks; Doncellas. A rather numerous genus of highly colored American fishes, usually found among the kelp in tropical waters. Form elongate, compressed; head conic; mouth small, terminal, with 2 enlarged canine teeth in front of upper jaw and 4 in front of lower jaw, together with a large canine tooth on each side of upper jaw near angle of mouth and small intervening teeth; gill-membranes attached to isthmus; gill-rakers short; preopercular margin entire; scales rather large on body, none on head; lateral line abruptly decurved posteriorly; dorsal fins low, 330 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. continuous, spines 9; anal similar to soft dorsal, with 3 spines; caudal slightly rounded; pectorals and ventrals small, the latter attached under base of former. One species certainly and another possibly are known from the North Carolina coast; these may be thus distinguished: i. Depth of body .25 length; a black spot on opercle; a dark band extending from snout through eye to base of caudal, with a narrower band below; spinous dorsal plain or with small black spot between fifth and seventh spines.........-....eeeseeeeeee bivittatus. ii. Depth of body rather more than .25 length; no black spot on opercle; a dark band episuding from snout through eye to body, and thence nearly to tip of caudal, without another ban below; a prominent black spot on spinous dorsal between fifth and seventh spines. _ maculipinna. (Iridio, from iris, the rainbow.) 284. IRIDIO BIVITTATUS (Bloch). Slippery Dick. Labrus bivittatus Bloch, Ichthyologie, pl. 284, fig. 1, 1792; Martinique. Cherojulis grandisquamis Gill, Proceedings Academy Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1863, 206; Beaufort. Gill, Catalogue of Fishes of East Coast of North America, 1873, 23; North Carolina, Yarrow, 1877, 207; Beaufort. Pusa grandisyuamis, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 374; Beaufort. Platyglossus bivittatus, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. 5 Tridio bivittatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1595, pl. cexxxix, figs. 600, 601; north to Charleston and Beaufort, Fig. 148. Stippery Dick. [ridio bivittatus. Diacnosis.—Form slender, the depth .25 total length; head small, its length slightly greater than body depth; maxillary extending half-way from end of snout to pupil; snout .3 length of head; eye small, .16 to .20 length of head; scales in lateral series 27 or 28, in transverse series 2+8 or 9; dorsal rays 1x,11; anal rays 111,11 or 12; caudal fin very slightly convex poste- riorly; pectorals and ventrals short. Color: pale greenish above, purplish on sides; a dark brown lateral stripe from snout, through eye, to base of caudal fin and a similar fainter band from pec- toral base backward, these two becoming fainter with age and sometimes fading completely; many of the body scales with a dark blue spot; head variously marked with bands or stripes of red, green, blue, and violet; a dark spot on opercle; dorsal and anal fins marked, from base outward, with blue, red, yellow, red, and pale; caudal red, with oblique yellow and blue lines; pectorals plain; ventrals red; in young a small jet-black spot on back at base of last dorsal ray. (bivittatus, two-banded.) The range of this abundant species extends from Brazil to North Carolina. Its length is only 6 inches, but it is well known on the shores of Florida and the West Indies, and is caught often by youthful anglers. A specimen 6 inches long SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 331 collected at Beaufort July 11, 1860, and sent to the National Museum (no. 4318)_ by Sergeant Wm. Alexander, U. 8. Army, was described by Dr. Theodore Gill in 1863 as a new species under the name of Cherojulis grandisquamis. Another specimen was obtained there by Dr. Yarrow in 1870; but later collectors did not find the fish, and it was not until 1902 that the species was again recorded. In that year, on September 12, the steamer Fish-Hawk dredged 8 or 10 specimens 1 to 3.5 inches long off Beaufort (at station 7344), at adepth of 13 fathoms. All of these show a distinct dark lateral stripe from snout to base of caudal and a paler stripe below, a black spot at base of last dorsal ray, and a round dark spot at base of caudal rays; the two largest specimens have a black spot on opercle,. and the larger of them has a black triangular spot on the tip of each caudal lobe; while in the smallest specimens (1 to 2.67 inches long) there is a very distinct black spot on dorsal fin between fifth and seventh spines, and the terminal caudal spots are faint or absent. 285. IRIDIO MACULIPINNA (Miiller & Troschel). Spotted-finned Doncella. Julis maculipinna Miiller & Troschel, in Schomburgk, History of Barbados, 674, 1848; Barbados. Pusa (?) radiata, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 374; Beaufort. 4 Platyglossus maculipinna, Jordan, 1886, 38; Beaufort. Yarrow, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Tridio maculipinna, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1594, north to Beaufort, N. C. Diacnosis.—Very similar to Iridio bivittatus, but the depth a little greater, eye larger (contained 4.5 times in head), and snout shorter (3.5 times in head). Color: a dark lateral band extending from snout nearly to tip of tail; no second band below this; no dark spot on opercle; a small black spot in axil of pectorals; a large black spot on dorsal fin, usually between fifth and seventh spines but often extending further forward. (maculipinna, spotted-finned.) The claims of this West Indian species to a place in the North Carolina fauna rest on a specimen 1.5 inches long taken at Beaufort in 1878 by Jordan & Gilbert. The specimen was lost before a final identification was made, and it is possible that the little fish was Iridio bivittatus. The principal mark of dis- tinction is the black spot on the spinous dorsal fin, but, as has been shown, this is sometimes present on small, deep-water examples of bivitiatus. Genus DORATONOTUS Giinther. Small fishes of beautiful coloration peculiar to the West Indies and the South Atlantic coast. Form compressed, head not sharp anteriorly, the pro- file straight or concave; mouth wide; jaw teeth in a single series, with 2 enlarged canines in front of each jaw and a posterior canine present on each side of upper jaw; lateral line interrupted posteriorly; scales large; opercles and cheeks scaly; gill-membranes connected, not attached to isthmus; dorsal spines strong, 9 in number, anterior ones elevated; soft part of dorsal similar to anal. Two known species, 1 recently described from Porto Rico, and the following. (Doratonotus, spear back.) 332 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 286. DORATONOTUS MEGALEPIS Giinther. Doratonotus megalepis Ginther, Catalogue of Fishes in British Museum, iv, 1862; St. Kitts. Jordan & Ever- mann, 1898, 1611. Dracnosis.—Body much compressed, rather deep, depth .37 length; caudal peduncle short and deep; length of head a little less than depth; top of head depressed; mouth wide, maxillary .25 length of head; snout long, slender, compressed, .3 length of head; eye .2 length of head; gill-membranes broadly united; lateral line following line of back to beyond dorsal fin, there broken and continues horizontally on peduncle; scales in lateral series 20; a single row of 4 large scales on cheeks, 5 or 6 similar scales on opercles; dorsal rays 1x,10, the first 3 spines with filamentous appendages; anal rays 111, 9; caudal rounded; pectorals extending beyond ventrals; ventrals short, .5 head. Color: uniformly bright grass-green, head a little lighter; the green of the dorsal, anal, caudal, and ventral fins mottled with orange; pectorals light yel- low. (megalepis, large-scaled.) : An example of this rare and beautiful species, of which 6 specimens are known, from the West Indies and Florida, was taken by the steamer Fish-Hawk (station 7344) off Cape Lookout, at a depth of 13 fathoms, September 12, 1902. The fish was 1.75 inches long. The maximum size attained by the species is 2.75 ar 3 inches. Fig. 149. Razor-Fisa. Xyrichthys psitiacus. Genus XYRICHTHYS Cuvier. Razor-fishes. The razor-fishes are brilliantly colored tropical species, so named because of their extremely compressed oblong bodies, the upper and anterior edges being sharp. Body deepest immediately behind head, whence it tapers gradually to the rather broad caudal peduncle; head very short, deeper than long; profile from eye to mouth nearly vertical; eyes small, near top of head; mouth small, low, terminal, with 2 anterior canines in each jaw; scales rather large, head practically naked; lateral line high, interrupted posteriorly and beginning again on a lower row of scales; dorsal fin beginning close behind eye, long, low, and continuous, with 9 spines. Several] American species. (Xyrichthys, razor-fish.) 287. XYRICHTHYS PSITTACUS (Linnezus). Razor-fish. Coryphena psittacus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 448, 1766; Charleston, S. C Xyrichthys psitiacus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1618, pl. cexlii, fig. 607. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 333 Diacnosis.—Body strongly compressed, the depth a little less than .33 length; head .25 length; eye placed high, near superior profile, .16 length of head and about .5 length of maxillary; scales in lateral series 26 or 27, in transverse series 2+ 8; lateral line on second row of scales, dropping to fourth row on peduncle; dorsal rays 1x,12, the longest spine 2 times diameter of eye, the posterior rays slightly produced; anal rays 11,11, the soft rays longer than in dorsal; caudal rounded, shorter than head; pectorals shorter and ventrals slightly longer than caudal, the first ventral ray produced. Color: reddish, each scale with a vertical blue streak; similar streaks on head; a silvery area behind and below pectorals; a dark red shade across pectorals in male; dorsal plain; anal streaked obliquely with green; caudal with 6 to 8 dark vertical lines. (psittacus, a parrot.) The range heretofore ascribed to the razor-fish has been from the West Indies to Pensacola and Charleston. It is now recorded for the first time from the North Carolina coast. Three specimens 4.25 inches long were collected by the steamer Fish-Hawk off Beaufort in August, 1902, and another specimen is reported to have been taken at the Mullet Pond on Shackleford Bank during the same summer. Anexample7 inches long now in the State Museum was obtained in the Wilmington market in the summer of 1884. The species reaches a length of 15 inches. Family SCARID, The Parrot-fishes. Several hundred parrot-fishes are known from the warmer waters of the world; they are for the most part gaily-colored, large scaled, herbivorous fishes, particularly numerous among coral reefs, and having but little food value, the flesh being soft. The shape of the head, the size and position of the eye, the character of the teeth, and the coloration strongly suggest the parrots. Body more or less elongate, rather stout; mouth terminal, of rather small size, the jaw teeth fused so as to form a strong beak, the lower pharyngeal teeth arranged in a mosaic; scales cycloid, completely covering body and part of head; lateral line present; dorsal fins continuous, with about 9 spines and 10 soft rays; anal fin similar to soft dorsal, preceded by 2 spines. Only 1 species has as yet been recorded from the waters of the state, but representatives of several other genera occur as stragglers on the Middle Atlantic and Southern New England coast, and 1 appears to‘range regularly as far north as Charleston, so others may in time be met with in North Carolina. Genus SPARISOMA Swainson. Oldwives. A numerous genus of small fishes, practically confined to American waters, distinguished by having the gill-membranes broadly united to isthmus; the jaw teeth for the most coalesced in adult, with a median suture, sometimes a supple- mentary row of canine teeth in upper jaw; lower pharyngeal bones broader than long; few scales on head, a single row on cheeks; a continuous lateral line, with tubes much branched; sharp dorsal spines; and color plain or showy. (Spari- soma, having the body of Sparus, which is an ancient name for some sparoid fish.) 334 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 288. SPARISOMA NIPHOBLES Jordan & Bollman. White-spotted Parrot-fish. Sparisoma niphobles Jordan & Bollman, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1888, 551; Bahama Islands. Jordan and Evermann, 1898, 1633. Diaenosis.—Body oblong, depth .33 length; length of head somewhat greater than depth of body; eye contained 4.5 times in head; snout obtuse, contained 2.8 times in head; upper lip large, covering most of jaw; 2 canine teeth in front of upper jaw, and 1 on each near angle of mouth; scales in lateral series 24, in crosswise series 2+ 6; a row of 5 large scales on cheek; 4 median scales anterior to dorsal fin; tubes of lateral line with 3 to 5 branches; dorsal rays 1x,10; anal rays 11,11; caudal fin truncate. Color: brownish green, thickly covered with white specks and mottlings; head speckled with blue and black; chin with silvery spots; 5 bluish white lengthwise stripes along row of scales; a black spot on shoulder; spinous dorsal with dark mottlings; soft dorsal with rows of brown spots; anal similar to soft dorsal; caudal marked by 4 or 5 wavy, white vertical bars; pectorals yellowish; ventrals with indistinct white spots. (niphobles, snowed upon.) : Two specimens about 3.5 inches long taken at Beaufort in the summer of 1902 are referable to this species, which has heretofore been known from Florida, ‘Porto Rico, and the Bahamas. The maximum length is about 6 inches. Family EPHIPPIDA. The Spade-fishes, Body much compressed, very deep, back strongly arched, ventral outline less so; mouth small, terminal; bands of slender, sharp, movable teeth in jaws; maxillary short, with no supplemental bone; premaxillary slightly protractile; nostril double; gill-rakers short; gill-membranes broadly united to isthmus; branchiostegals 6 or 7; pseudobranchie present; preopercle either finely serrated or entire; scales ctenoid, of small or moderate size; lateral line present, strongly arched; pyloric cceca few; air-bladder present; dorsal fins 2, anterior with 8 to 11 spines depressible in a groove, posterior much larger, with anterior rays elongated; anal spines 3 or 4, the soft rays similar to posterior dorsal, both with fleshy scaled base; caudal broad, with posterior margin square or concave; pectorals short, the rays branched; ventrals thoracic. A rather small family, with a single representative on the east coast of the United States. Genus CHAXTODIPTERUS Lacépéde. Spade-fishes. In this genus the much compressed body is nearly as deep. as long; vomer ‘and palatines toothless; preopercle finely serrate; branchiostegals 6; scales small, 60 to 70 in lateral series; lateral line concurrent with back; pyloric ceca 4 to 6; dorsal fins disconnected, the first with 8 spines, the third longest; anal spines 3, the second longest; a large accessory scale at base of ventrals. Two American species, 1 on the Pacific coast, and the following. (Chcetodipterus, two-finned cheetodon, in allusion to the divided dorsal.) 289. CHA TODIPTERUS FABER (Broussonet). ‘‘Porgee”’; ‘‘Pogy’’; Angel-fish (S. O.); Spade-fish ; Moon-fish. Chetodon faber Broussonet, Ichthyologia, 1782; Jamaica and Carolina. Parephippus faber, Yarrow, 1877, 211; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 380; Beaufort. Chetodipterus faber, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Goode, 1884, 445; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1668, pl. cexlvii, fig. 619. Linton, 1905, 400; Beaufort. 335 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. D1acnosis.—Body short and deep, the depth contained 1 to 1.5 times in length, depend- Ne ing on age; head contained 3 to 3.5 times in length, the anterior profile very steep; mouth small, maxillary extending barely as far as anterior margin of eye; snout .4 length of head; eye .3 (faber, a blacksmith.) length of head; scales in lateral series about 60; cheeks and opercles densely scaled; lateral line arched like back, straight on the short caudal peduncle; vertical fins high and falcate; longer than pectorals, with first soft ray produced as a filament; young with vertical fins lower. Color: gray, with 5 dark vertical bands of different widths on head and body, becoming obscure dorsal rays vi11+ 1,20, the third spine more than .5 length of head; anal rays 111,18, the second spine longest; caudal deeply concave; pectorals less than twice diameter of eye; ventrals much in old specimens; ventrals black. terus faber. Up Poreer. Chetod SPADE-FISH; Fig. 150 the North Carolina fishermen recog- which is known in South Carolina as angel-fish, and pogy” “ ” or porgee “ Under the name of nize this well-marked fish ? Its range extends from Massachusetts and it is particularly abundant on the southeastern coast of 2 elsewhere as moon-fish and spade-fish. to South America the United States. The fish sometimes reaches a length of 3 feet a foot. , but does not average to exceed It frequents rocky patches, wrecks, and piling in search of food, which It is found on the North Carolina consists of small crustaceans, worms, etc. At Beau- The eggs are In the latter part of August the young of the year, may be seined in Beaufort Harbor. coast only in summer, leaving as soon as the weather becomes cool. fort, ripe male and female fish have been found early in June. quite small, being less than 1 mm. in diameter. fish about 3 inches long, 336 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. The spade-fish is of excellent quality as food, and in the New York and Washington markets is highly regarded. In Pamlico Sound it issometimes taken _ abundantly in pound nets, and on other parts of the coast it is caught incident- ally in seines and other appliances. Of late it has not been numerous in the Beaufort region. The quantity taken and sold in 1897 was 39,910 pounds, valued at $472, andin 1902 was 16,800 pounds, valued at $269. The bulk of the catch comes from Craven, Dare, and Pamlico counties. Family CHAXTODONTIDA. The Butterfly-fishes. A rather numerous family of mostly small, active, highly colored fishes of tropical waters in all parts of the world. Form short, deep, and greatly com- pressed; mouth small, terminal, and projecting; teeth long, fine, in dense narrow bands in jaws, no teeth on vomer or palatines; eye lateral, of moderate size; gill- membranes connected with isthmus; gill-rakers minute; branchiostegals 6 or 7; pseudobranchie large; preopercle either unarmed or with a strong spine; scales ciliated or smooth, moderate or rather small, covering body, more or less of head, and soft parts of vertical fins; lateral line present; air-bladder present; dorsal fin single with rather numerous spines and soft rays; anal fin similar to soft dorsal, with 3 or 4 spines; caudal rounded or truncate; ventrals thoracic, with rays 1,5. There are about 6 American genera, but only 1 is represented on the North Caro- lina coast. , Genus CHEHTODON Linnezus. Butterfly-fishes. This, the most numerous genus of the family, contains many strikingly beautiful little fishes, with short, deep body much compressed, especially above; short, pointed, scaly head; small mouth, with numerous long, flexible teeth in bands; preopercle without spine; narrow gill-openings; ctenoid, moderate-sized scales; lateral line strongly arched; about 13 spines in dorsal fin, the spinous part longer than the soft; 3 stout anal spines; caudal margin straight or rounded; ven- tral spine strong. Of the 8 or 10 American species, 6nly 1 has yet been noted in North Carolina. (Chetodon, bristle tooth.) 290. CHASTODON OOELLATUS Bloch. Butterfly-fish. Chetodon ocellatus Bloch, Ichthyologie, pl. 211, fig. 2,1787. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1674, pl. ccxlix, fig. 621. Diacnosis.—Depth equals length of body posterior to head or about .7 total length; head .4 length of body; snout produced, about length of eye, and somewhat less than .33 head; scales in lateral series about 34, in transverse series 21; lateral line terminating near end of dorsal fin; dorsal rays x11,20, the longest spines (third and fourth) twice length of eye; anal rays 111,16; ventrals more than .8 length of head. Color: yellowish gray; a black band extends from front of dorsal fin through eye and thence downward to throat; a black spot on opercle; a large black spot on soft dorsal; a black vertical band from this spot to base of anal. (ocel- latus, having eye-like spot.) A common West Indian species, occurring as a straggler along the Atlantic coast as far as New, England; sometimes, however, taken in large numbers as far. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 337 north as Massachusetts.* This species was not heretofore recorded from North Carolina, but has recently been taken on several occasions at Beaufort, as follows: In the summer of 1902 one 1.5 inches long at Bird Shoal; in 1903 one 1.75 inches long near the laboratory; and on July 21, 1904, two 2.25 inches long in the harbor. The species rarely exceeds 3 inches in length. Family HEPATID. The Surgeon-fishes or Tangs. The fishes of this family may easily be recognized by the presence of 1 or 2 spinous processes on each side of the narrow caudal peduncle, together with an oblong, much compressed body, with elevated back; short head; small, low, terminal mouth, armed with a single row of narrow teeth in jaws; short maxillary closely united with premaxillary; small, high eye; double nostrils; 4 gill-arches, with rudimentary rakers; gill-membranes attached to isthmus; large pseudo- branchie; small scales completely covering body and head; complete lateral line; long, narrow, connected pelvic bones; few pyloric cceca; large air-bladder; a single greatly elongated dorsal fin, with spinous part shorter than soft part; anal fin similar to but shorter than dorsal; broad caudal fin with concave margin; and thoracic ventrals with about 5 soft rays preceded by a spine. The family has about 100 members in the warmer regions of the world, most of them belong- ing in the only genus found on the eastern coast of North America. Genus HEPATUS Gronow. Surgeon-fishes; Tangs. In this genus the armature of the caudal peduncle consists of a single sharp, movable spife on each side which fits in a groove and is capable of being extended like the blade of a lancet, whence the various common names of these fishes; as the species are herbivorous, it is evident the spines, which can inflict a painful wound, are employed only for protection. Lateral line arched; scales very fine and numerous; dorsal spines 9, anal spines 3; teeth strong and immovable. About 6 species known from American waters. Of the 3 species found regularly in Florida and as stragglers as far north as Massachusetts, 2 were recently detected in North Carolina waters which may thus be distinguished: i. Caudal fin slightly concave behind; caudal lobes about equal; about 12 dark vertical bars ON: SIdES ss iad or Goh oninyuiold ses GHG ss Shea w Wall hess aeedes Sabres eae Oee. S .- -hepatus. ii. Caudal fin deeply concave behind; upper caudal lobe terminating in a produced filament; no vertical bars;on ‘sides: saos04 90.4 ¢44 CeS.54 20S E8 toa eRe G Ree aed eo AGE ES bahianus. (Hepatus, an old name for some European fish.) 291. HEPATUS HEPATUS (Linnzus). Surgeon-fish; Tang; Lancet-fish; Doctor-Fish. Teuthis hepatus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 507, 1766; Carolina. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1691. Draenosis.—Body ovate, the depth .4 to .5 length; head contained 3.5 times in total length; superior profile very steep, making an angle of 45° with long axis of body; snout about 6 head; eye .5 snout; dorsal fin of nearly uniform height throughout, the rays 1x,25 or 26; anal rays III, 22 to 24; caudal somewhat shorter than head, the lobes of nearly equal length. Color: i tao In a small bay on Marthas Vineyard more than 100 were collected by the writer in the summer and fall oO! . 338 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. dark greenish brown, paler on sides; about 12 narrow, vertical blackish bars on sides; fins gen- erally dark; dorsal with brown stripe at base, spinous part with blue and green stripes, goft rays bluish anteriorly. Up to this time only 2 specimens of this fish have been recorded from North Carolina waters. The first, 6 inches long, was captured in a mullet net near Beaufort Inlet in the fall of 1904 and presented to the Bureau of Fisheries by Mr. Joseph Lewis, of the Mullet Pond Fishery, who states that during his 30 years’ fishing experience near Beaufort he has seen only 1 other fish of this kind. The second specimen was obtained near Pivers Island, Beaufort Harbor, July 15, 1905, by Prof. Howard E. Enders, and is now in the laboratory collection. The species is abundant in Florida and the West Indies, and is eaten in considerable quantities. The maximum length is about 1 foot. 292. HEPATUS BAHIANUS (Castelnau). Surgeon-fish; Tang; Lancet-fish; Doctor-fish; Barber. - Acanthurus bahianus Castelnau, Animaux Nouvelles ou Rares de l’Amerique du Sud, p. 24, pl. 11, fig. 1, 1855; Bahia. Teuthis bahianus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1693, pls. cclvi and celvii, figs. 629, 630. Dracnosis.—Form as in Hepatus hepatus; dorsal rays 1x,24, longest less than .5 length of head; anal rays 111,22; caudal deeply incised, the upper lobe longer and often filamentous. Color: dark brown, with paler blotches below; sides with brown wavy lengthwise streaks; dorsal fin with 8 dark longitudinal lines and a black edge; caudal with light blue or whitish margin. (bahianus, relating to Bahia.) Fig. 151. Surazon-riso; Tana. Hepatus bahianus. This surgeon-fish is common at Key West and thence throughout the West Indies. It is now recorded for the first time from Noth Carolina. On October 11, 1905, Mr. 8. G. Worth obtained from a local fisherman at Beaufort a speci- men 5.5 inches long which is now in the laboratory at that place. This species reaches somewhat over a foot in length, and in Florida, Porto Rico, and the Danish West Indies is of considerable importance as food. | SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. | - 339 Family BALISTIDA. The Trigger-fishes. Rather large-sized shore fishes of tropical waters, feeding on small animals or on alge; protected by their tough, rough skin; rarely eaten by man, the flesh of some reputed to be exceedingly poisonous. Body ovate or elongate, consider- ably compressed; mouth very small, terminal; jaws short but strong, a single row of incisor teeth in each; premaxillaries fused with maxillaries; eye small, high; preorbital region very wide; gill-openings short slits at base of pectorals; oper- cular bones not evident externally; head and body covered with rough scales or plates; lateral line absent or rudimentary; air-bladder present; vertebrae few in number (17); 2 dorsal fins, the anterior with 2 or 3 spines, the first spine largest, the second firmly locking it when extended, whence the name trigger- fishes, applied to the family; posterior dorsal with numerous soft rays; anal similar to second dorsal; caudal rounded, forked, or concave; pectorals short and broad; ventrals represented by a stout spine at the end of a long pelvic bone. About 6 American genera, only 1 regularly represented on our Atlantic coast. Genus BALISTES Linneus. Trigger-fishes. This genus contains the typical trigger-fishes, with 3 dorsal spines, of which the first is much the largest, the second in close relation thereto, the third remote; by depressing the second spine the firmly locked first spine may be bent back- ward. Body compressed, rather deep; irregular teeth in each jaw; scales rather small, rough, implanted in a tough, leathery skin; lateral line very small and exceedingly irregular, extending on cheeks, sometimes incomplete; a groove in front of eye below nostrils; enlarged bony plates behind gill-openings; pelvic flap large, movable, with numerous sharp spines; anal and second dorsal fins long, faleate or filamentous in adult; caudal lobes produced in old specimens; colors often brilliant and in remarkable patterns. Two species occur on our east coast, straggling as far north as Massachusetts; only 1 of these thus far recorded from North Carolina, but the other likely to be found any season. These 2 may be thus distinguished: i. Lateral line complete, extending from cheek upward to near dorsal, thence abruptly down- ward to near anal, again upward, and then straight along caudal peduncle; color olive gray, with a dark cross-bar under anterior part of soft dorsal and violet or blue spots on back, head, and fim siya. cachet scataja eee .a Meare sath teak Renee Hee ORG. 4 Maen Seen carolinensis. ii. Lateral line incomplete, only on cheeks, nape, and peduncle; color brownish yellow, with bright blue streaks on head, fins, and peduncle......... Psu, dae onto nena ceseas) excnenensns vetula. (Balistes, cross-bow.) 298. BALISTES CAROLINENSIS Gmelin. Leather-jacket; Trigger-fish. Balistes carolinensis Gmelin, Systema Nature, i, 1468, 1788; Carolina. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1701, pl. eclviii, fig, 632. Dracnosis.—Depth .5 total length to end of tail; peduncle narrow, about .16 depth of body; head .25 total length to end of tail; snout very long, .8 length of head; eye very small, less than .25 snout; scales in lateral series 55 to 65; lateral line undulating, very irregular (as 340 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. described in key), the lines of two sides united by a branch over nape; dorsal rays 111+ 27, the anterior soft rays elongated but not so long as head; anal rays 25; caudal lobes produced in adult. Color: in general grayish olive; 2 dark cross-bars under soft dorsal fin; small purplish spots on back and purplish marks on snout; eye surrounded by a ring of blue spots and green streaks; first dorsal with blue spots; second dorsal and anal yellow, with rows of light blue spots and a green network; pectorals green, with blue base and green spots. (carolinensis, inhabiting Carolina.) Fig. 152. Triaeer-risu. Balistes carolinensis. A widely distributed species, very common in the West Indies and the Medi- terranean Sea, sometimes carried northward in the Gulf Stream to New York and Massachusetts. It attains a length of more than a foot, and at Key West, where it is called turbot, it is extensively eaten. There are no published records of the fish’s occurrence in North Carolina, but it must have been observed on many occasions and at various points. The only specimens known from state waters have been taken at Beaufort—1 in the summer of 1903; another caught on a hook in August, 1905; and a third obtained at Pivers Island on October 9, 1905. Family MONACANTHIDA. The File-fishes. Shore fishes of warmer regions, feeding chiefly on alg; species mostly small, of no food value, the fresh bitter; similar to the trigger-fishes but having only a single dorsal spine. Body much compressed, rather deep; mouth small, termi- nal; incisor teeth in upper jaw in a double series; in lower jaw in a single series; gill-openings mere slits; lateral line absent; scales small, spine-bearing; dorsal spine barbed or smooth, sometimes a rudimentary spine behind; second dorsal long, widely separated from the spine; anal similar; caudal peduncle long or short, the fin broad or elongate; pectorals very short; ventrals either absent or represented by a long spine surmounting the pelvic bone. Four American gen- era, 2 represented in the local fauna. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 341 i. Dorsal spine comparatively stout, its posterior surface with retrorse barbs; pelvic bone sur- mounted with a spine projecting through skin of abdomen; gill-openings short, and more or less vertical; caudal fin broad......... 06... c cece eee e eee eee e eee MoNnACANTHUS. i. Dorsal spine rather slender, without barbs; no spine on pelvic bone; gill-opénings long and very oblique; caudal fin elongate........ 0... cece eee cette teenies CERATACANTHUS. Genus MONACANTHUS Cuvier. File-fishes. A very numerous genus of small fishes with short, deep, much compressed body; very small mouth; about 6 teeth in outer row and 4 in inner row in upper jaw, and about 6 in lower jaw; gill-slit shorter than eye, slightly oblique, and under posterior part of eye; minute scales, individually rough, but giving to the skin a velvety feel; ventral flap and sometimes caudal peduncle spinous; large dorsal spine, with 2 series of retrorse spines; second dorsal and anal fins with 25 or more rays; broad, rounded caudal; blunt, movable ventral spine; pelvic bone united with abdomen by a broad flap of skin. Several American species, 1 common along our Atlantic coast. (Monacanthus, one spine.) 294. MONACANTHUS HISPIDUS (Linneus). “Fool-fish”; File-fish. Balistes hispidus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 405, 1766; Carolina. Stephanolepis setifer, Yarrow, 1877, 204; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 367; Beaufort. Monacanthus hispidus, Jordan, 1886, 30; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 93; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1715, pl. cclix, fig. 635. Linton, 1905, 401; Beaufort. Fig. 153. Fite-rise. Monacanthus hispidus. Diacnosis.—Depth contained 1.75 times in length in adults; head about 5 depth; pro- file from dorsal spine to end of snout nearly straight; snout very long, about 3 times diameter of eye; gill-slits length of eye; margin of abdominal flap not extending beyond ventral spine; body completely scaly, each scale with 3 prickles; dorsal spine straight, above posterior part of eye, shorter than snout, posterior surface with 2 rows of barbs; dorsal soft rhys about 32, the first ray often filamentous, the others becoming gradually shorter from before backward; anal 342 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. rays about 32; caudal fan-shaped, the margin rounded; pectorals less than twice diameter of eye. Color: nearly uniform green, the shade varying from grass green to olive; irregular faint whitish spots on back and sides; fins transparent greenish. (hispidus, bristly.) This species is found from southern Massachusetts to Brazil, and is com- mon throughout its range. It is extremely abundant on the North Carolina coast, where it is known as “fool-fish”. In July, 1903, during a period of 5 days, over 600 were seined in Beaufort Harbor, mostly on Bird Shoal; these were 1 to 3 inches long. A series of young collected in sargassum-weed in the Gulf Stream off Beaufort July 27, 1901, had individuals .38 to 1.75 inches long. The maximum length of the species is 10 inches. Numerous specimens examined at Beaufort by Professor Linton were found to have eaten bryozoans, small crustaceans and mollusks, gastropod eggs, annelids, small sea-urchins, and alge. Genus CERATACANTHUS Gill. File-fishes; Fool-fishes. Moderate-sized shore fishes, with somewhat elongate, strongly compressed body; projecting lower jaw; very oblique gill-openings much longer than eye and extending in advance of eye; a long, curved pelvic bone without a spinous extrem- ity; single small, slender, barbless dorsal spine inserted over middle of eye; soft dorsal widely separated from the spine, its rays numerous (35 to 50); anal fin similar to soft dorsal; caudal fin more or less elongate; pectoral fins very small. Numerous species, in all warmer parts of the world; 4 American species, 2 of which are here noted.* t. Color variable—dusky olive, orange yellow, or whitish—without definite spots; anterior pro- file convex; depth of body in adult .5 length.......... 0... cece cece cece ee eees schepfit. i. Color light brown, with numerous dark brown round spots half diameter of pupil; anterior profile concave; depth of body in adult .4 length.................cceeeeeee punctatus. (Ceratacanthus, horn spine.) 295. CERATACANTHUS SOHCEPFII (Walbaum). File-fish; Fool-fish; Devil-fish. Balistes schepfii Walbaum, Artedi Genera Piscium, 461, 1792; Long Island, N. Y. Alutera cuspicauda, Yarrow, 1877, 204; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 367; Beaufort, Ceratacanthus aurantiacus, Yarrow, 1877, 204; Beaufort. Alutera aurantiaca, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 367; Beaufort. Alutera schepfit, Jordan, 1886, 30; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1718, pl. xxix, fig. 636. Linton, 1905, 401; Beaufort. Ceratacanthus schepfii, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2860. Diacnosis.—Depth about .5 length in adult, less in young; caudal peduncle slender, 2 times diameter of eye; head .33 length; profile from mouth to dorsal spine slightly convex; lower jaw somewhat the longer, chin projecting; snout nearly as long as head and 4 times diam- eter of eye; eye under dorsal spine and over posterior part of gill opening; gill-opening twice diameter of eye; scales minute, rough, completely covering body and head; dorsal spine slender, its length varying with age, about 2 times length of eye in adults; soft dorsal rays about 36, anal rays 38, the fins low; caudal long, slender, becoming shorter in old specimens; pectorals short, about twice diameter of eye. Color: adults dirty gray, orange, or whitish; young dirty white, mottled or blotched with reddish brown or sometimes showing dark and light longitu- * A third species, Ceratacanthus scriptus, has occasionally been taken as far north as South Carolina. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 343 dinal bands; caudal usually yellowish. (Named for Dr. Schépf, a surgeon with the Hessian troops on Long Island during American Revolution.) Along the coast of the United States from Massachusetts to Texas, the fool- fish or file-fish is well known, being caught in the nets of the commercial fisher- men. It is called fool-fish because of its peculiar appearance and the general stupidity shown in captivity; it will often remain in a pound net or other trap when every other fish will have escaped through a rent in the netting. Its rough, sandpaper-like skin has given rise to its other common name. The fish attains a length of 2 feet, and older examples exhibit 3 distinct color phases: a dull, dirty, greenish-gray, a rich orange-yellow, and a milky white, the yellow and white often being partly replaced by irregular areas of blackish- gray. These colors appear to be independent of sex or environment, and fishes representing each, as well as intermediate phases, may be taken together. Fig. 154. Fiie-riso; Foot-risu. ° Ceratacanthus schepfii. When the fish is swimming the head is lower than the tail, and the move- ments and appearance are singularly awkward. In captivity the fish eat suc- culent alge, the branches of which are bitten off and swallowed rapidly. The species is common on the shores of North Carolina. Specimens have been taken for the Beaufort laboratory. Small examples examined by Professor Linton at Beaufort in July and August contained bryozoans, shrimp, amphipods, and sea lettuce. 296. CERATACANTHUS PUNCTATUS (Agassiz). Spotted File-fish; Long Mingo. Alutera punctata Agassiz, Pisces Brasilienses, 137, pl. 76, 1829; Brazil. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1719. Ceratacanthus punctatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2860. Draenosis (based on North Carolina specimens).—Depth slightly less than .5 length; width of peduncle 1.5 times diameter of eye; head contained 3.12 times in length; profile con- cave; lower jaw projecting; teeth in a single series in each jaw; eye .25 length of snout and some- what less than supraorbital space; gill-slit .33 length of head, its posterior end under pupil and over base of pectoral; dorsal spine over posterior third of eye, short, slender, its length 2.5 344 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. e times diameter of eye; rays in soft dorsal 36, origin of the fin same distance from pupil as pupil is from tip of lower jaw; anal rays 38; caudal long, posterior margin rounded; pectorals short, 1.5 times diameter of eye. Color: grayish brown, with numerous small, round dark brown spots; back and snout dark; caudal black. (punctatus, spotted.) The spotted file-fish, which ranges from the West Indies to Brazil, is now recorded for the first time from the east coast of the United States on the strength of 2 specimens taken at Bird Shoal, Beaufort Harbor, in the summer of 1902. The fish, 6.75 inches long over all, were profusely marked with discreet, round, brown spots somewhat smaller than the pupil; the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins were plain; and the caudal was black. Family OSTRACIID. The Trunk-fishes. The trunk-fishes are among the most curious fishes in our waters, and are at once recognizable by the hard 3-, 4-, or 5-angled shell or box in which the body is encased. Body rather short and deep; caudal peduncle rather long and nar- row; shell formed of numerous large, more or less regular, polygonal bony plates which are deficient only about jaws, at bases of fins, and on caudal peduncle; mouth small, terminal, with a single row of slender teeth in each jaw; maxillary and premaxillary closely united; eye large, high, protruding; gill-opening a short narrow, nearly vertical slit below and posterior to eye; vertebre 14; dorsal fin inserted far backward, single, short, composed wholly of soft rays; anal fin sim- ilar to and opposite dorsal; caudal fin of 10 rays, the posterior margin square or rounded; pectoral fins short, inserted close to lower end of gill-openings; ventral fins absent. There are 25 or 30 known species, representing several genera, inhabiting tropical waters; all the American species fall into 1 genus. Genus LACTOPHRYS Swainson. Three-angled Trunk-fishes, In this genus the shell or box present 3 well-marked angles, the ventral surface being broad and either flat or convex, and the sides inclining inward to make a more or less acute angle at the back; the shell is continuous across the median line behind the anal fin; the characters by which the species are sepa- rated are the presence or absence of horns on the frontal and ventral regions, the existence of a complete or imperfect shell posterior to dorsal fin, and the coloration. Four American species, 2 known from North Carolina.* The trunk- fishes are sometimes baked in the shell and regarded with favor in Florida and the West Indies. Owing to the ease with which they may be preserved, all the American species became known in Europe upwards of 200 years ago; and asa matter of local interest it may be mentioned that Peter Artedi, the “father of ichthyology’’, in his notes on this group of fishes published in 1738, mentions his having seen several of our species at ‘The Nagg’s Head” tavern in London. * Another species of trunk-fish, Lactophrystricornis, common onthe South Atlantic coast and throughout the West Indies, is known from Charleston, S. C., and Chesapeake Bay, and will no doubt in time be detected on the North Carolina coast. It reachesa length of 18 inches, and may easily be distinguished by a projecting horizontal horn in front of each eye. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 345 i. Shell or carapace with a large spine at end of each ventral ridge; carapace deficient behind dorsal fin; color olive gray, nearly every plate with a small pale blue spot at its center. trigonus. ii. Shell or carapace without spines; carapace continuous behind dorsal fin; color dark brown, with numerous small, circular, yellow-white spots.......-..-..eeeeeeeeees triqueter. (Lactophrys, milk-cow eyebrow, in allusion to the horns in one species.) 297. LACTOPHRYS TRIGONUS (Linnzus). Camel-fish; Box-fish; Trunk-fish; Shell-fish. Ostracium trigonus Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 330, 1758; ‘‘India”’. Ostracion trigonum, Jordan, 1886, 30; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 93; Beaufort. Lactophrys trigonus, Yarrow, 1877, 204; Fort Macon. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 367; Beaufort. Jordan & Ever- mann, 1898, 1723, pl. cclxiii, fig. 641. Diacnosis.—Body sharply 3-angled, the back elevated into a well marked, strongly com; pressed hump; depth .5 length; head .25 length, the profile straight; peduncle long and slender, its depth less than diameter of eye; each ventral ridge terminating in a long spine which extends beyond origin of anal fin; shell open behind dorsal fin; a conspicuous ridge over each eye; dor- sal rays 10; anal rays 10; caudal with rounded corners. Color: olive gray above, light green on ventral surface; most of the side plates with a light blue spot in the center; outlines of upper plates black, of lower ones blue; several dusky areas on side; fins pale green; vent, iris, nostrils, and base of pectorals yellow. (trigonus, three-angled.) Meek Fig. 155. Camez-riso; TRuNK-FisH. Lactophrys trigonus. A common West Indian species, well known in Florida and sometimes found as far north as Massachusetts.* It has occasionally been reported from Beaufort, N.C. Yarrow recorded 2 specimens from the beach at Fort Macon; a specimen in the State Museum at Raleigh came from Beaufort; and Jenkins states, on the authority of Prof. W. K. Brooks, that small examples are often taken in tow nets outside Beaufort Inlet. There appear to have been no recent captures at Beaufort. Maximum length about 1 foot. * At Woods Hole the writer has found the very young not uncommon in summer; and on quiet days they have been seen, singly or in small bunches, in eel grass about the wharves. Several dozen have been taken at one haul of a small seine. 346 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 298. LACTOPHRYS TRIQUETER (Linnezus). Trunk-fish. Ostracion triqueter Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 330, 1758; India. Lactophrys triqueter, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1722, pl. cclxi, fig. 638. Diaenosis.—Form ovate, back evenly arched, depth .5 length; sides making an angle of about 30 degrees at back; ventral surface convex; depth of caudal peduncle greater than diam- eter of eye; head .25 length; profile concave; eye about .33 length of head and .8 length of gill- slit; shell without spines, continuous behind dorsal fin; 9 plates along median line posterior to eye; dorsal rays 10; anal rays 10; caudal fin rounded. Color: dark brown above, lighter on belly; each scale except on ventral surface with 1 or more round whitish spots somewhat smaller than pupil; lips, bases of fins, and tip of caudal dark brown or blackish; caudal peduncle marked like sides; caudal margin black, other fins plain; young light green, with numerous round dark greenish blue spots on sides and below. (triqueter, three-angled.) The occurrence of this trunk-fish on the United States coast north of Florida does not appear to have been previously noted. There are 3 North Carolina records. In July, 1900, several young examples were taken in Beaufort Harbor, and in July, 1904, a number of others were obtained in the same locality. The only adult specimen was collected at Perry Island, Beaufort Harbor, in the summer of 1902. Family TETRAODONTIDA. The Swell-fishes. The fishes of this family have the faculty of inflating themselves with air or water, which is pumped into a special sac, lying external to the peritoneal cavity, its duct opening into the mouth or esophagus. The amount of the inflation is extreme in some genera, the fishes being converted into veritable balloons. Body oblong or elongate, little if at all compressed; mouth small, terminal, the teeth in each jaw fused into a kind of beak with a median suture; lips conspic- uous; gill-slits small, situated immediately in front of pectorals; scales absent, the skin usually covered with small, weak, movable prickles or spines; lateral line conspicuous or not; air-bladder present; vertebrae few (16 to 21); spinous dorsal and ventral fins absent; dorsal fin placed near the caudal, composed of a few soft rays; anal fin similar to and opposite dorsal; caudal fin well developed, of various shapes; pectoral fins short and broad, the upper rays longest. These fishes are for the most part found in warmer coastal waters, and have only feeble swimming powers. While some of them attain a considerable size, none are food fishes, the flesh being rank and sometimes poisonous. About 10 genera and 60 species; 4 genera American, 2 represented in North Carolina fauna. i. Body oblong; skin prickly or with soft appendages above and below, sometimes smooth; dorsal and anal fins short, with 6 to 8 rays; caudal more or less rounded; lower surface of body without a prominent longitudinal fold or keel; size moderate or small... .SPHEROIDES. ti. Body elongate; skin of abdomen very prickly, back and sides smooth; dorsal and anal fins falcate, with 12 to 15 rays; caudal fin strongly concave behind; a prominent longitudinal fold or keel on each side of belly and pedunele; size large............... LAGOcEPHALUS. Genus SPHEROIDES Duméril. Puffers; Swell-fishes. Typical puffers, with oblong, plump body; short nasal canal on each side, with 2 openings near its tip; skin either smooth, prickly, or with cirri (prickly SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 347 in local species); mucous canals inconspicuous; dorsal and anal fins small, of 6 to 8 rays; caudal fin rather short, broad, its posterior margin rounded or nearly square; abdomen exceedingly dilatable with either air or water. Numerous species, most of them American, 4 known from east coast of United States, but only 2 as yet recorded from North Carolina. i. Head and body prickly, the prickles small, stiff, 3-rooted; no cirri present; about 12 irregular black blotches on back and sides......... 06. c cece eect ee eee etna maculatus. ii. Sides of head and of body smooth, except an area behind pectorals, the prickles on back and belly larger and wider apart than in maculatus and sometimes lacking; small cirri or flaps on sides; numerous small black spots above, and a single series of 12 to 16 small, round black spots along junction of sides and abdomen, these most distinct in young.. .spenglert. 299. SPHEROIDES MAOULATUS (Bloch & Schneider). “Swell-toad”’; Puffer; Swell-fish; Balloon-fish. Tetrodon hispidus, var. maculatus Bloch & Schneider, Systema Ichthyologie, 504, 1801; Long Island, N. Y. Chilichthys turgidus, Yarrow, 1877, 204; Beaufort. Cirrisomus turgidus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 366; Beaufort. Tetrodon turgidus, Jordan, 1886, 30; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887,93; Beaufort. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Spheroides maculatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1733, pl. cclxiv, fig. 645. Linton, 1905, 402; Beaufort. Diaanosis.—Depth (uninflated) about equal to width, .33 total length; length of head greater than depth of body; snout more than .5 head; eye small, .25 snout; interorbital space concave, 2.6 times diameter of eye; skin prickles small, 3-rooted, stiff, and of uniform size; prickles absent posterior to dorsal fin and vent; fins small; dorsal rays 7, the longest one-third head; anal rays 6, of same size as dorsal; caudal margin slightly convex, the central rays .4 length of head; pectorals rather broad. Color: upper parts rich dark green with black mot- tlings; below white or pale yellow; sides marked with about 12 short black bars, of unequal size and mostly oblique, the 2 or 3 immediately behind pectorals most distinct; fins plain, caudal dark-edged. (maculatus, spotted.) Fig. 156. Purrer; Sweii-riso. Spheroides maculatus. “Swell-toad ” is the name applied to this and the related species by the North Carolina fishermen. The fish is common as far north as Cape Ann, and is abundant during the warmer months on the coast and in the bays and sounds of this state. Its maximum length is about 10 inches. Specimens examined at Beaufort in July and August by Professor Linton were found to contain a very great variety of animal food, including fragments of oysters, scallops, mussels, razor-clams, gastropods, barnacles, crabs, shrimp, sea-urchins, worms, ascidians, 348 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. bryozoans, together with seaweeds and watermelon seed. The fish is often caught in nets, and will also take the hook, but has no food value and is regarded as useless. 800. SPHEROIDES SPENGLERI (Bloch). ‘‘Swell-toad’’; Puffer; Balloon-fish; Swell-fish. Tetrodon spengleri Bloch, Ichthyologie, i, 135, pl. 144, 1782; West Indies. Spheroides spengleri, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1732, pl. celxiv, fig. 644. Draenosis.—Shape as in Spheroides maculatus; head contained 2.4 times in length; eye rather large, .5 snout and nearly .25 head; interorbital space narrow, slightly concave or flat; skin of body prickly, sometimes smooth; usually a patch of small prickles on middle of back; belly spinous from anterior to vent to chin; head, sides, and tail mostly smooth; small dermal flaps or cirri on sides; young more prickly and with more conspicuous flaps than adult; dorsal rays 7, short, less than twice diameter of eye; anal rays 6, similar to dorsal; caudal less than .5 length of head, the margin rounded. Color: above greenish brown, thickly marked with small light green spots; small black spots on back, and a row of 12 to 16 along middle of side from chin to caudal, these becoming less distinct in adult; belly flesh color; caudal with two dark bars; pectorals yellow. (Named for a Mr. Spengler, who sent the type specimen to Bloch.) A verv widely distributed species, known from the West Indies, Brazil, Canary and Madeira Islands, the Gulf coast of the United States, and recently recorded by the writer from Massachusetts, where it occurs as a.straggler in summer. The fish is now reported from North Carolina for the first time, a small specimen having been taken at Beaufort in the summer of 1900. A length of 1 foot is attained by the species. Genus LAGOCEPHALUS Swainson. Rabbit-fishes, or Puffers. Similar to Spheroides, but the dorsal and anal fins longer and falcate, each with 12 to 15 rays; the caudal concave behind; the skin prickles in American species confined to the inflatable abdomen, the skin otherwise smooth and tense; the under side of caudal peduncle with afold. Size rather large. Two American species. The rabbit-fishes are so called from the resemblance of the snout, mouth, and teeth to those of arabbit. (Lagocephalus, hare head.) 301. LAGOCEPHALUS LAVIGATUS (Linnzus). Puffer; Rabbit-fish. Tetrodon levigatus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 411, 1766; Charleston, S.C. Yarrow, 1877, 204; Beau- fort. Lagocephalus levigatus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 366; Beaufort (after Yarrow). Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1728, pl. celxiii, fig. 642; ‘‘rare north of Cape Hatteras”. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Draenosis.—Body elongate, greatest depth .25 length; caudal peduncle slender, its least depth equal to diameter of eye; head contained 3.7 times in length; eye rather large, contained 5.5 times in head, 3 times in snout, and 2.5 times in interorbital space; mouth very small; gill- openings somewhat wider than base of pectorals; skin of belly beset with large, sharp, 3-rooted spines, skin elsewhere very smooth; dorsal rays 13, the anterior much longer than posterior, so that fin is pointed or falcate, its height contained 1.5 times in head, origin of fin midway pos- terior between edge of eye and base of central caudal rays; anal fin opposite and similar to dor- sal, its rays 12, the longest contained 1.75 times in head; caudal fin with deeply concave margin, the longest rays nearly .7 length of head; pectorals broad, .5 length of head. Color: above blackish green, sides and belly silvery white. (levigatus, smoothed.) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 349 This, the largest of the American puffers or swell-fishes, occurs coastwise from Massachusetts to Brazil, but is not common north of Cape Hatteras. The type came from Charleston. There are but few records of the fish in North Carolina waters, owing chiefly to the fact that it has no economic value. Yarrow’s note on the species in the Beaufort region in 1871 was as follows: Found in small streams running through salt marshes; but few seen. Found in nets, and is taken with the hook. Never eaten, being considered poisonous. Size, from 3 to 6 inches. Fig. 157. Purrer; Rassit-rish. Lagocephalus levigatus. Subsequent collectors recorded the species from that locality only on the authority of Yarrow until 1899, when a specimen 16 inches long was taken in June on Bird Shoal. Another specimen, representing the maximum length attained by the species, was caught on Bird Shoal October 31, 1904, and is now in the Beaufort laboratory; its length is 25.75 inches over all, 21.25 inches long to base of caudal, head 5.75 inches, depth 5.37 inches. The foregoing diagnosis is based on this example. Recently a specimen only 2.25 inches long has been added to the laboratory collection. Family DIODONTID. The Porcupine-fishes and Bur-fishes. Similar to the puffers (Tetraodontide), but with the scaleless body thickly beset with conspicuous spines and with the teeth represented by a single bony, beak-like plate in each jaw. Body short, rounded; abdomen inflatable with air or water, but to a less degree than in the puffers; mouth small, terminal, the jaws strong; nostrils tubular, each with 2 openings; gill-opening restricted; spinous processes with 2 or 3 roots, inserted on all parts of the body except about mouth and caudal peduncle; fins small, the pectorals largest; a single dorsal fin, placed posteriorly, opposite anal; caudal rounded; ventrals absent. A rather small family, with weak swimming powers, living mostly on the bottom in warmer seas; of no food value, but often sold as curiosities, the dried distended skins being met with in all parts of the world. Three American genera, 2 with members in North Carolina. i. Skin prickles long, slender, erectile, and mostly 2-rooted.............. 00 cee ee eee Diopon. ai. Skin prickles short, blunt, immovable, and mostly 3-rooted ............ CHILOMYCTERUS. 350 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Genus DIODON Linnzus. Porcupine-fishes. These are the porcupine-fishes proper, the dermal spines being long, slender, and capable of being erected like those of a porcupine. Form stout; caudal peduncle rather long and slender; nasal tube simple, with 2 lateral openings; pectorals short, very broad, upper lobe longer. Probably only 1 American species, occurring on both coasts. (Diodon, double tooth.) 302. DIODON HYSTRIX Linnaeus. Porcupine-fish. Diodon hystrix Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x,335, 1758. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1745, pl. cclxvi, fig. 648. Draenosis.—Depth about .4 length; head contained 3 times in length; eye rather small, about .16 length of head; lips thick; skin thickly beset with strong, sharp spines, longest on top of head, back, and sides; the spines posterior to pectorals longest; spines on back anteriorly and on peduncle 3-rooted and immovable, other spines 2-rooted and capable of being depressed and elevated; dorsal rays 13 to 15, height of fin .5 length of head; anal rays 13 to 15; caudal short, rounded; pectorals very broad, rather less than .5 length of head. Color: dusky above, white below, entire body and fins marked by small round black spots. (hystrix, the porcupine.) Fig. 158. Porcupine-risH. Diodon hystrix. Although the porcupine-fish has been taken at various points on the east coast of the United States as far north as Massachusetts, it occurs only as a straggler north of Florida. The fish has doubtless been found from time to time by the coast fishermen of North Carolina, but the only specimen known from that state is one 2.5 inches long obtained at Beaufort in the summer of 1902 and now in the fishery laboratory at that place. The species attains a length of 3 feet. Genus CHILOMYCTERUS Bibron. Bur-fishes. Small marine fishes, with broad, slightly depressed body, covered with short, firmly fixed, 3-rooted spines; short caudal peduncle; 2 nasal tentacles each with 2 lateral openings; small fins, as in Diodon; a few cirri variously placed on head and body. About 6 American species, 2 represented in the local fauna: i. Back marked with parallel longitudinal black stripes; under parts pale (sometimes black in . _YOUNZ)..........0.e. aU sais ifn oe TNs tag ip gia casera Bits Pe idce gran bes uaa, seoa eases spinosus. ti. Entire body marked with black stripes which form hexagonal reticulations, the stripes broader on the under parts........ cece cee c cece eee eet een eeeneeeuas antillarum. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 351 308. OHILOMYOTERUS SPINOSUS (Linnzus). ‘‘Swell-toad’’; ‘‘Lemon-toad”’; ‘‘Spiny Toad-fish’’; Bur-fish. Diodon spinosus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 335, 1758; India.* Diodon schepfi Walbaum, Artedi Genera Piscium, 601, 1792; Long Island, N. Y. Chilomycterus geometricus, Yarrow, 1877, 203; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 366; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1877, 93; Beaufort. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Chilomycterus schepfi Jordan, 1886,30; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1748, pl. cclxvi, fig. 649. Linton, 1905, 403; Beaufort. Diacnosts.—Body short and broad, the depth somewhat less than breadth and .33 total length; depth of caudal peduncle at junction with fin equal to diameter of eye; head less than depth; nasal tentacle as long as pupil; eye large, lateral, about equal to snout; interorbital space concave; gill-slit equal to diameter of eye, opposite upper half of pectoral base; dermal spines broad-based, far apart, and short, their height averaging diameter of pupil; a series of about 9 spines between eye and caudal; 2 supraorbital spines, 1 spine on middle of forehead; spines on abdomen smallest and partly imbedded; a short cirrus above each eye; a fleshy tip on some of the posterior spines; cirri on chin; dorsal rays 12, their tips reaching caudal; anal rays 10; cau- dal small, lanceolate; pectorals much broader than long, the upper rays longer. Color: green- ish above, whitish or pale yellow below (sometimes black in young); back and sides with 10 to 16 black longitudinal stripes about width of interspaces, those on sides becoming oblique; simi- lar narrower stripes on head extending crosswise; a black ocellated spot about size of eye above each pectoral, a larger black spot behind each pectoral, another black spot on each side of back at base of dorsal, and a smaller black spot below it; a narrow dark bar across dorsal fin near its base; fins otherwise plain; iris blue. (spinosus, full of spines.) Fig. 159. Bur-risa; Spiny Toap-risu. Chilomycterus spinosus. The fishermen of North Carolina know this species under the names “swell- toad”, “lemon-toad”’, “spiny toad-fish’’, etc. The fish occurs in the West Indies and along the entire Atlantic coast as far north as Massachusetts, reaching its greatest abundance from Chesapeake Bay to Florida. It is more or less abundant on the shores of North Carolina in summer, and at Beaufort examples are then taken varying in size from 1.5 to 6 inches. The fish reaches Beaufort early in April and remains at least as late as the latter part of October, and probably does not withdraw from the shoal coast waters until the advent of cold weather. A length of 10 inches is sometimes attained. The strong, bony beak enables the fish to crush and eat mollusks and crustaceans, which are its principal food. * It is more than probable that the bur-fish thus designated by Linnzus is identical with the one called schepfi by Walbaum 34 years later, as suggested by Jordan & Evermann (1898). Linneus’ species is said to differ from Walbaum’s only in the absence of lines on the back—a character of too uncertain valueina preserved specimen, 352 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 304. CHILOMYOTERUS ANTILLARUM Jordan & Rutter. Chilomycterus antillarum Jordan & Rutter, Proceedings Academy Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1897, 131; Jamaica. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1749. Dracnosis.—Form similar to spinosus; a transverse row of short cirri on chin; cirri on nearly all the spines along margin of belly, no cirri above eyes; a spine below and in front of each eye. Color: brown above, yellow below, entire body marked with small hexagonal areas formed by black lines, the lines on abdomen wider; black spots as in spinosus, together with black blotches on chin in front of and at each end of the row of cirri. (antillarum, of the Antilles.) A straggler from the West Indies to the east coast of the United States, where it has been observed only at Woods Hole, Mass., and Beaufort, N. C. From the former place the writer recorded 1 specimen in 1898; at Beaufort 1 was taken in a trawl net in the harbor in the summer of 1902, according to Dr. R. E. Coker, and another was caught in the summer of 1904, according to Dr. E. W. Gudger. Family MOLIDA. The Head-fishes. Large fishes of remarkable appearance, with feeble swimming powers, inhabiting the open sea but frequently seen along the coasts or stranded on the shores. The compressed ovate body is covered with a very thick leathery skin; the posterior part of the body is truncate; the small terminal mouth is armed with a single bony plate in each jaw; the single high dorsal fin is placed far back, and the anal fin is similar to it in shape and position, the caudal fin extending between their posterior margins; the pectoral fins are small and are placed immediately posterior to the very short branchial opening; ventral fins are lacking; and the air-bladder is absent. The young differ much from the adults in form, and have frequently been described under other names. There are several genera and half a dozen known species, but only 1 is recorded from the coasts of the United States. Genus MOLA Cuvier. Ocean Sun-fishes. Very large fishes with ovate body and compressed sides; tough, leathery skin without scales; a projecting nose; dorsal and anal fins high, with short base; pectorals short. (Mola, a millstone.) 305. MOLA MOLA (Linneus). Sun-fish; Head-fish; Moon-fish; Mola. , Tetrodon mola Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 334, 1758; Mediterranean. Mola mola, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1753, pl. cclxviii, fig. 651. Diacnosis.—Head in adult about .25 total length , depth more than .5 length, the body becoming longer in older examples; eye small, about .16 head; gill-opening about diameter of eye; dorsal and anal fins more than .5 length of body, the rays 16 or 17 in each; caudal fin short and wavy. Color: dark gray or slaty, sides and belly lighter; a more or less distinct dark band extending along bases of posterior fins. The ocean sunfish is a lazy, clumsy species, with limited swimming powers, and seems content to be borne about listlessly by currents and tides. It occurs SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 353 regularly as far north as Massachusetts and on the Pacific coast to San Francisco. It also inhabits the Mediterranean, and along the shores of western Europe is not uncommon, the writer having seen stranded specimens in Norway beyond the Arctic Circle. The species is usually seen floating or swimming at the surface with the dorsal fin out of the water; and it may be easily approached and harpooned. The fish is probably more common off the east coast of Florida than elsewhere, but is not rare in southern Massachusetts; in Vineyard Sound 8 or 10 large ones have sometimes been observed in a single summer. Fig. 160. Sun-riso. Mola mola. The North Carolina records are few, as follows: A specimen now in the National Museum (no. 41002) was taken at Cape Lookout in 1889 by William H. Gaskill, of the life-saving station at that place. Another specimen, 24 inches long and 15 inches wide, was found dead on the beach at Cape Lookout about March 15, 1904, by James Willis and was presented by him to the laboratory at Beaufort. The third example likewise was taken at Cape Lookout, and was one of the largest recorded; it was harpooned by fishermen in May, 1904, and taken ashore in the “bight” of the cape; it was 8 feet long, and was estimated by the fishermen to weigh 1,000 pounds. 354 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. The sun-fish attains a weight of 1,500 pounds, and one is recorded from the California coast which is reported to have weighed 1,800 pounds. The powerful turtle-like jaws suggest that the species feeds on hard-shelled creatures, but as a matter of fact jellyfish have proved to be the only food found in a number of specimens examined at Woods Hole, Mass. The fish has no economic value at the present time, although it has been suggested that glue may be made from the ‘abundant subdermal elastic tissue. Family SCORPHNID. The Scorpion-fishes and Rock-fishes. A numerous and important marine family represented in all parts of the world, but most abundant in the temperate portions of the Pacific Ocean; most of the American species occur on the Pacific coast, where they enter largely into the fisheries. These fishes are of small to moderate size, inhabit rocky bottom, and many produce their young alive. The leading family characters are an oblong, compressed body; a large head with more or less prominent bony ridges terminating in spines; a large terminal mouth with small teeth on jaws and vomer; protractile premaxillary; broad maxillary; wide gill-slits; gill-membranes not united and free from the isthmus; large pseudobranchiz; opercle and pre- opercle usually spinous; small, usually ctenoid scales completely covering body; a simple lateral line; rather few pyloric cceca; air-bladder present or absent; 2 con- tinuous dorsal fins, the anterior with 8 to 16 spines and longer than soft portion; short anal with 3 spines; caudal well developed, of various shapes; broad pec- torals; thoracic ventrals with the rays1,5. There are about 8 American genera, 5 represented on the Atlantic coast but only 2 in shoal water. Only 1 genus as yet detected in North Carolina waters, but fishes belonging in several other genera occur off that coast.* Genus SCORPAENA Linnzus. Scorpion-fishes. A numerous genus of warm-water fishes with rather elongate, somewhat compressed body; large, rough head; large mouth, with bands of villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; 2 pairs of spines on occiput, 2 spines on opercle, and 4 or 5 on preopercle; gill-rakers few in number; ctenoid scales, the top of head more or less naked; body and head more or less thickly beset with short dermal flaps or filaments; air-bladder absent; 12 dorsal spines; rounded caudal; large, broad pectorals, usually with procurrent base; and ventrals arising pos- terior to pectorals. Rather small fishes of peculiar form and variegated colora- tion, having little food value; about a dozen American species, some of which stray northward along the Atlantic coast of the United States. The strong dor- sal spines can inflict a painful wound, which fact, together with the repulsive appearance, makes these fishes unpopular or even dreaded among fishermen. Besides the 2 following species, several others may be looked for as stragglers: * Pontinus rathbuni is known only from off Cape Hatteras in 80 fathoms; Setarches parmatus has been taken in the Gulf Stream off North Carolina and other states; and Helicolenus maderensis occurs offshore from Cape Hatteras to New York. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 355 i. Lower jaw included; cranial spines and ridgesmore prominent; a deep pit undcr anterior margin of orbit; axil jet black, with large white spots; general body color pale, often scarlet, the fins with much red.............- eee e eee eee eee rete a plumiert. ii. Jaws equal; cranial spines and ridges less prominent; no pit under anterior edge of orbit; axil pale, with a few black spots; general color greenish or brownish, the body and fins MUG OL TCG assesses we esse Ways cen een ai ta SR ed TE aig Dasha ae cao Te GSTS brasiliensis. (Scorpena, a scorpion, in allusion to the sting-like wound inflicted by the spines.) 3806. SCORPAHNA PLUMIERI Bloch. Scorpion-fish. Scorpena plumieri Bloch, Kongliga svenska vetenskaps akademien, nya handlingar, Stockholm, x, 234, 1789; Martinique. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1848. D1acnosis.—Body short, the depth contained 3 times in total length; head .4 total length, the surface very irregular, with strong spines and many grooves and pits; a conspicuous pit below eye; lower jaw included; maxillary extending beyond eye, .5 length of head; eye .2 head; gill-rakers very short and broad; scales in lateral line about 40, a few scales on opercle and preopercle but none on other parts of head; numerous fleshy flaps on body and head, a large one over eye and on other parts of head; dorsal rays x11,10, the longest spine but little more than .33 head; anal rays 111,5, the second spine very robust and longer than third; pec- torals broad, procurrent, reaching as far as anal origin, the lower 10 or 11 rays simple and exserted. Color: variable; usually sand color or bright red above, purplish below; the body and head marked by several broad black bands; back covered with light specks and white filaments; axil jet black, with large round, white spots; lower part of head finely spotted with blue; angles of mcuth yellow; radiating dark spots about eye; fins variegated like body; the dorsal with white spots, the anal and ventrals white with red and black shades, the caudal with 3 black and 8 light vertical bars, the pectorals with tip scarlet and inner surface yellow, black, and red. (Named for Plumier, a priest who collected fishes in Martinique.) A common species from Florida to Brazil, straggling as far north as Massa- chusetts, where it has been found by the writer. Six specimens, all about 2 inches long, in the collection of the Beaufort laboratory, were obtained in July and August, 1903, on Bird Shoal and Uncle Israel Shoal. 3807. SCORPHNA BRASILIENSIS Cuvier & Valenciennes. Scorpion-fish. Scorpena brasiliensis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, ivy, 305, 1829: Brazil. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1842, pl. celxxvii, fig. 670. 2 Diacenosis.—Body short, the depth .4 length; head compressed, its length equal to greatest depth of body; jaws equal; maxillary extending opposite posterior edge of eye, rather less than .5 head; eye large, equal to snout and more than .25 in head; interorbital space deep, .5 diameter of eye; 2 sharp spines on preorbital, 2 or 3 on suborbital stay, upper preopercular spine long, opercular spines small; scales in lateral line about 55, a few scales on opercles, preopercles, and cheeks; small dermal flaps present on many scales of body, on cheeks, before eyes, at bases of cranial spines, on membrane of spinous dorsal, etc.; a long and slender flap above eye; dorsal rays x11,10, a deep notch between the two parts; anal rays 11,6; caudal rounded; pectorals long, about length of head, extending beyond first anal spine; ventrals .5 length of head, reaching to vent, the last ray attached to abdomen by a membrane. Color: grayish brown, with regular and obscure blackish blotches, one across base of peduncle; white below, axil of pectorals pale, with a few round black spots, similar spots also on sides 356 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. of body; a fringed white flap on anterior nostril; dorsal and anal fins irregularly marbled; caudal white, with a broad median and a narrow terminal vertical black bar; pectorals obscurely barred; ventrals blackish blue. (brasiliensis, inhabiting Brazil.) Fig. 161. Scorpion-risH. Scorpena brasiliensis. The foregoing description is based on several specimens, under 2 inches long, taken on Uncle Israel Shoal, Beaufort Harbor, July 20, 1904. The species ranges from Brazil northward, probably occurring regularly as far as Cape Hat- teras, although not previously recorded north of South Carolina. Family COTTIDA. The Sculpins. The sculpins constitute an exceedingly numerous and varied family, found chiefly along the shores of northern regions; some, however, occur at great depths and some are confined to streams and lakes. The principal characters of the family are a usually broad and depressed head, from which the elongate fusiform or compressed trunk tapers backward to a rather slender peduncle; head either smooth or spiniferous; large mouth, with teeth in bands on jaws; protractile pre- maxillaries; large eyes, placed high on the head and usually separated by a narrow space; spinous processes usually present on preopercle; suborbital con- nected with preopercle by a bony stay; united gill-membranes, which are joined to or free from isthmus; 3.5 or 4 gill-arches with short or rudimentary gill-rakers; body naked, partly scaled, or partly covered with prickles or plates; lateral line present; air-bladder usually lacking; pyloric cceca few; dorsal fins either separate or connected, with 6 to 18 usually weak spines and rather numerous soft rays; anal fin without spines; caudal fin truncate or rounded; large pectoral fins with broad base; thoracic ventral fins (rarely absent), with 1 spine and 8 to 5 soft rays. The sculpins have little value as food, but are sometimes eaten and also used as bait; they must, however, be of considerable importance, owing to their wide distribution, and some of them are known to be very destructive to fish eggs. Of the 50 or more American genera only 1 is represented in the state. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 357 Genus COTTUS Linnaeus. Fresh-water Sculpins; Miller’s Thumbs; Blobs. Small, numerous, and variable sculpins of the colder fresh waters of North America, Asia, and Europe; often abundant in trout streams and feeding largely on trout eggs in season. Form elongate, little if at all compressed, head with few spines; teeth on jaws, vomer, and (sometimes) palatines; isthmus very wide, the gill-membranes not passing across it; a simple spine at angle of preopercle, usually several spines below and a single concave spine onsubopercle; skin smooth, sometimes with feeble prickles; lateral line sometimes deficient; pyloric cceca about 4; dorsal fins separated or joined, the spines slender, 6 to 9 in number; ventrals with 4 soft rays and a concealed spine. Of the numerous American species, only 1 is recognized as inhabiting any of the waters of North Carolina. (Cottus, an old name for the miller’s thumb of Europe.) 3808. COTTUS ICTALOPS (Rafinesque). Blob; Miller’s Thumb; Mull-head (Va.). Pegedictis ictalops Rafinesque, Ichthyologia Ohiensis, 85, 1820; Kentucky. Potamocottus caroline Gill, Proceedings Boston Society of Natural History, 1861, 40; Carolina. Cottus ictalops, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 1950. Bean, 1903, 914; Bollings Creek, N. C. Cottus bairdi, Jordan, 1889b, 154; South Fork of Swannanoa River and Spring Creek at Hot Springs, N. C. Uranidea caroline, Cope, 1870b, 455; French Broad River, Madison County, N. C. Diaenosis.—Form robust; depth about .25 length; head .33 length; palatine teeth well developed; isthmus very broad; skin smooth, no axillary prickles; lateral line continuous or interrupted; dorsal rays v1,16 to vi1,17, the spinous rays low and weak; anal rays 12; pectorals large, nearly as long as head, and reaching to or beyond origin of soft dorsal. Color: oliva- ceous, with dark bars and spots; fins dark barred or mottled. (ictalops, having an eye like a cat-fish.) A species of wide distribution and great variability; ranging from New York to the Dakotas and along the Alleghanies to Alabama. Known only from tribu- taries of the French Broad River in North Carolina, but doubtless occurring also in the headwaters of the Holston and other streams on the western slope of the mountains. Reaches a length of 6 inches, and is a very undesirable inhabitant of the trout streams. Family TRIGLID. The Sea-robins or Gurnards. The sea-robins are found in the tropical and temperate regions of both hemispheres, and some forms occur in great abundance in America, Europe, and Asia. The most striking family features are the head completely enclosed in strong bony plates, the wing-like pectoral fins, and the conversion of the 3 lower- most pectoral rays into long, slender, detached feelers. Body elongate, fusiform, deepest at junction with head; head large and more or less spiny; mouth large, mostly terminal, with bands of small teeth on jaws and sometimes on vomer and palatines; premaxillaries protractile; maxillary slipping under preorbital; nosupplementary maxillary; gill-arches 4, gill-rakers various, gill-membranes not attached to isthmus; lateral line present; body covered with scales or bony plates; air-bladder and usually pyloric cceca present; 2 dorsal fins, the spinous 358 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. short and beginning far forward; anal fin without spines, similar to second dorsal; caudal rather long; ventral fins thoracic, wide apart, their rays1,5. The genera are few, and only 1 genus is represented on the shores of the United States. Genus PRIONOTUS Lacépéde. Sea-robins; American Gurnards. The sea-robins are among the most numerous and best known of the shore fishes of the east coast. Their principal anatomical characters are: Body more or less round in section, tapering regularly backward from shoulder to slender caudal peduncle; head entirely covered with bony plates, which have granula- tions, ridges, and spines; snout broad, depressed, and much longer than eye; mouth broad, terminal, with bands of small teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; the spines on head definitely placed, 1 on opercie,1 or 2 at angle of preopercle, 2 on nape, and 1 on shoulder girdle; gill-membranes free from isthmus; gill-rakers rather long and numerous; lateral line continuous; small, regularly arranged rough scales completely covering body, only a few on head; pyloric cceva present in moderate number; air-bladder rather large, with a specialized muscle attached to its external surface; vertebre about 25; dorsal fins separate, the first with 8 to 10 strong spines, the second longer and similar to anal; caudal rather long; pectorals broad, wing-like, the 3 anterior rays separated from others, long, thickened, free from each other, and developed as flexible tactile organs. ° The species are of small size, rarely exceeding a foot in length. They live mostly on the bottom, using their finger-like pectoral rays very dexterously in finding food. They are able to make a grunting sound by the action of the air- bladder, and are hence called pig-fish-in some localities. The flesh is white and of good flavor, but these fishes are rarely eaten, although the closely related gurnards of Europe (Trigla) are food fishes of some importance. Immense quantities of sea-robins are caught in pound nets, seines, and other nets along the entire Atlantic coast from Massachusetts southward, but no use is made of them except as compost. More than 20 species are known from our coasts; 9 from the eastern seaboard of the United States; and 4 from North Carolina, all the local species being known as “ flying-fish’”’ or “ flying- toad” among the fishermen. . Key to the North Carolina species of sea-robins. i. Head large, more than .3 total length; mouth relatively large, the maxillary at least .4length head; pectoral at least .5 length of body; free rays of pectoral tapering, not expanded at tip. u. No distinct spine on cheek bone at center of radiation nor on edge of preorbital; head of moderate width; the spines except those on nape not prominent; gill-rakers long and slender, 18 to 20 developed on lower arm of first arch; depth of body more than .2 total length; pectorals dark green...... 0.0... cece cece eee teenies evolans. aa. A distinct spine on cheek bone at center of radiation, and a preorbital spine with a smaller one at base; head very broad, with high, knife-like spines; gill-rakers shorter and thicker, about 10 developed on lower arm of first arch; depth of body .2 total length; pectorale light: Sre6tia. < oc cawe ed adage Dace the oe baa ae Oe eRe Hw tribulus. wi. Head smaller, its length less than .3 total length; mouth relatively small, the maxillary less than .4 length of head; pectoral less than .5 total length of body; free rays of pec- toral expanded. b. Body very slender, the depth about .16 total length; dorsal spines high, the third’ con- tained 1.6 times in head; caudal fin square behind; general color olive, with numerous round bronze or reddish spots on back and sides, a black spot on spinous dorsal, soft dorsal and caudal sometimes black or dark brown...............000e0ee scitulus. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 359 bb. Body less slender, the depth about .22 total length; dorsal spines low, the third less than .5 length of head; caudal fin moderately forked; general color dark olive, without well defined spots, some dark mottling on back and 4 obscure dark blotches, the fins plain except for a black spot on first dorsal, pectorals reddish....... oe carolinus. (Prionotus, saw back.) 309. PRIONOTUS EVOLANS (Linnzus). “Flying-fish’’; ‘‘Flying-toad”; ‘‘Striped Flying-toad”’; Sea-robin. Trigla evolans Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 498, 1766; Carolina. Prionotus evolans, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 373; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2168, pl. cecxx, fig. 772; North and South Carolina. Draenosis.—Depth of body contained about 4.5 to 4.75 times in total length; narrowest part of caudal peduncle less than diameter of eye; head contained 2.6 times in total length; maxillary .4 length of head; eye large, ‘rather less than .5 snout; interorbital space less than diameter of eye; pores in lateral line about 53; scales in transverse series from last dorsal spine to vent about 30; dorsal rays x+12, the first spine only weakly serrate, the longest spines and soft rays about equal and same length as maxillary; anal rays 11; caudal .5 length of head; the posterior margin nearly straight;. pectorals more than .5 total length of body (occasionally in North Carolina specimens nearly .66 total length). Color: back greenish brown, sides light green, usually with small irregular whitish spots; back with 3 brownish crossbars, the third extending to base of posterior soft rays; sides and head marked by narrow lengthwise brown stripes along lateral line, from shoulder spine to opposite end of anal fin, with a fainter one above, and from angle of mouth to preopercular spine; belly white; branchioste- gal membrane yellow; opercle brown; anterior dorsal dusky, with a black spot between fourth and sixth spines; anal reddish; caudal mostly orange, with transverse lines of white and brown ‘toward base; pectorals lustrous green on inner surface with upper rays white and lower red, olive on outer surface with a narrow blue edge; ventrals pale red. (evolans, flying out.) AN Fig. 162. Srripep Sza-rosin. Prionotus evolans. Known only from the coast of North and South Carolina, where it is abun- dant in places. For the Beaufort region it was not listed by Yarrow, was recorded as abundant by Jordan and Gilbert and common by Jenkins, but has not recently been reported and no specimens appear to have reached the Beau- fort laboratory. 360 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 310. PRIONOTUS TRIBULUS (Cuvier). “Flying-fish’”; ‘‘Flying-toad”; Big-headed Gurnard; Sea-robin. Trigla tribulus Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. 2, vol, 2, 161, 1829; America. Prionotus tribulus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 373; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Kendall & Smith, 1894, 21; Hatteras Inlet. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2171; Beaufort, etc. Linton, 1905, 404; Beaufort. : Diaenosis.—Depth .2 total length of body; head broad, .4 total length; spines and striations on head very strong; maxillary rather less than .5 length of head; pores on lateral line about 50; dorsal rays 1x or x+ 12 or 13; anal rays 11; pectorals .5 length of body, shorter in young. Color: back light green with dark green reticulations; sides with a bright orange lateral band; under parts white; 2 dark bands below spinous dorsal; anterior dorsal with obscure dark bars and a large black spot between fifth and sixth spines; posterior dorsal dull reddish, with dark spots; anal similar to soft dorsal; caudal reddish brown, with 3 dark cross- bars; inner surface of pectorals grayish, outer surface light green, with 4 or 5 dark crossbands; free pectorals rays red, barred with dark; ventrals light red. (tribulus, scraping.) The big-headed gurnard ranges from New York to Texas, and is common at Beaufort and on other parts of the North Carolina coast. It is distinguishable from the other local species by the very broad and spinous head, the spines being longer and sharper in the young. The diet is varied, and embraces all kinds of living animals of suitable size; examples examined by Professor Linton at Beau- fort in July and August had eaten fish, worms, crabs, fiddler crabs, shrimp, am- phip ods, copepods, horse-shoe crabs, bivalve mollusks, and sea urchins. 311, PRIONOTUS SCITULUS Jordan & Gilbert. “Flying-fish”; ‘‘Flying-toad”’; ‘‘Slim Flying-toad”; Sea-robin, Prionotus scitulus Jordan & Gilbert, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1882, 288; Beaufort, N.C. Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2157, pl. ccexix, fig. 769; Beaufort to St. Augustine, Linton, 1905, 404; Beaufort. Prionotus punctatus, Yarrow, 1877, 207; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 373; Beaufort. Fig. 163. SLENDER SEA-ROBIN. Prionotus scitulus. Diacnosis.—Form very slender, the depth much less than .2 total length; caudal peduncle much wider than eye; head small, contained 2.75 to 3.6 in total length; mouth small, maxillary short, less than .3 length of head; snout long, .5 head; eye small, .3 snout; interorbital area concave, narrower than eye; spines on top of head short, sharp; gill-rakers long, slender; pores in lateral line 52; dorsal rays x+13, the spines high, the longest (third) equal to distance from pupil to end of snout, the soft rays low and of uniform length; anal rays 12; caudal square SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 361 behind; pectorals in. male .4 to .5 length of body, in female .33, Color: Male—above light greenish brown, with 4 dark blotches on back; sides spotted with reddish brown; opercle reddish brown, branchiostegal membrane black; dorsal fins greenish brown, a black spot on membrane between fourth and fifth spines, both fins with translucent streaks; anal dark, the base and edge white; caudal reddish, with narrow white longitudinal streaks; pectorals dark brown, with irregular light brown and green markings; free rays of pectorals and ventrals orange-tinged. Female—above dark green, back and sides thickly spotted with bronze; branchiostegal membranes pink; spinous dorsal dusky with light streaks, a black ocellated spot between fourth and fifth spines, a similar spot on upper part of first spine and membrane; second dorsal and caudal spotted with black; anal black; ventrals pale. (scttulus, slender.) This small species, although reported as tolerably abundant at Beaufort by Yarrow, was represented by only 2 specimens in the collections of Jordan and Jenkins. Recently it has been found in great abundance in the Beaufort region in summer. Upwards of a dozen fish examined by Professor Linton in August (1901 and 1902) contained fish, crustaceans, and bivalve and univalve mollusks. The species attains a length of only 6 inches, and is the smallest of the local sea- robins. Jordan & Gilbert record the local vernacular name of “slim flying-toad”’ in allusion to its very slender form. ¢ 312. PRIONOTUS CAROLINUS (Linnzus). “Flying-fish”; ‘‘Flying-toad”; Sea-robin. : Trigla carolina Linnzus, Mantissa Plantarum, ii, 528, 1771; Carolina. Prionotus carolinus, Yarrow, 1877, 207; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2155, pl. ecexviii, fig. 768; Maine to South Carolina. Fig. 164. Caronina Sza-rosin. Prionotus carolinus. Diaenosis.—Form slender, but much less so than in Prionotus scitulus, the depth less than -2 total length; depth of caudal peduncle equal to eye; bones of head comparatively smooth, the spines low; head contained 3 times in total length; mouth small, maxillary less than .33 length of head; snout .5 head; eye rather large, .4 snout; gill-rakers of moderate length, about 10 on lower arm of first arch; pores in lateral line about 58; dorsal rays x+13, the spines low, the longest (third) not .5 length of head; anal rays 12; caudal slightly forked; pectorals short, rounded, not as much as .5 length of body. Color: brownish above, with dark mottlings and about 4 obscure dark crossbars; white below; throat and branchiostegal membranes blackish; a black ocellus between fourth and fifth dorsal spines, and several pale streaks below the spot; whitish oblique streaks on second dorsal; pectorals reddish brown. 362 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Jordan & Gilbert (1879) regarded the species called Prionotus carolinus by Yarrow as probably not that species but Prionotus tribulus; they, as well as Jen- kins, failed to find the fish at Beaufort. In the summer of 1903 about 25 speci-- mens were taken on Bird Shoal and elsewhere in Beaufort Harbor, and in Bogue Sound; and in 1904 the fish was frequently taken in June, July, and August in the vicinity of the laboratory. One foot is about the maximum length of the species; but the Beaufort specimens have not averaged nearly so large. The spawning season is spring, and the eggs are bright orange in color. The young are abun- dant in summer. Family CEPHALACANTHIDH. The Flying Gurnards. This family is related to the Triglide, differing in the shape of the pectoral fin, the absence of “feelers’’, the broad union of the gill-membranes with the isthmus, the closeness together of the ventral fins, the ventral rays being 1,4, as well as in numerous bony characters. Body elongate, rather broad, sides flat- tened; head blunt, quadrangular, nearly the entire surface bony; mouth small, lower jaw included, granular teeth in jaws, no teeth on roof of mouth; bones about eye united into a shield; a long bony process ending in a sharp spine extending backward from the napé on each side beyond origin of dorsal fin; pre- orbital projecting beyond the jaws; preopercle extending backward as:a long, round spine beyond ventrals; opercle small; gill-slits narrow, gill-rakers small, pseudobranchiz large; body covered with small, keeled, bony scales, which occur also on opercles and cheeks; 2 serrated spines at base of tail; pyloric cceca numerous; air-bladder divided into 2 lateral halves; dorsal fins separated, the anterior with 7 flexible spines, the posterior and anal with a few slender rays; caudal rather broad; pectorals large, divided into 2 lengthwise sections, the posterior part much the longer; ventrals long and pointed. The family contains 1 genus, with a single representative in American waters. Genus CEPHALACANTHUS Lacépéde. Flying Gurnards. The generic characters are indicated in the family diagnosis. In the adults the pectoral fins are much longer than in the young, and reach nearly to base of caudal; the anterior part of the fin contains a few closely connected rays as long as head; the posterior part is made up of numerous slender, unbranched rays. The flying gurnards possess the power of flight like the true flying-fishes, but to a much less degree. (Cephalacanthus, head spine.) 313. CEPHALACANTHUS VOLITANS (Linnezus). “Flying-fish”; Flying-robin. Trigla volitans Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed, x. 1, 302, 1758; Mediterranean Sea and ocean within the tropics. Dactylopterus volitans, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 372; Beaufort Harbor. Cephalacanthus volitans, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2183, pl. ccexxiii, fig. 778. Dracnosis.—Depth somewhat less than .2 total length; caudal peduncle slender, its depth less than diameter of eye; head short, contained about 4.5 in total length, the profile SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 363 steep and straight; maxillary extending as far as anterior margin of orbit; eye large, about 75 snout; preopercular spine nearly as long as head, not reaching beyond nuchal spine; dorsal rays vit+8, the 2 anterior spines separated from the others and connected at their bases by membrane, the last spine very short; both dorsal fins rather high, the posterior higher, its longest rays about equal to depth of body; anal rays 6, the fin similar to soft dorsal; caudal concave behind; pectoral rays about 34, the upper section with 6 rays; ventrals about length of head. Color: variable; above irregularly marked with different shades of green and brown; pale below, with blotches of red and yellow; spinous dorsal with several dark bars; caudal with 3 vertical reddish bars; pectorals marked with blue streaks, bars, and spots, their under surface glistening blue. (volitans, flying.) Fig. 165. Fivine GuRNARD. Cephalacanthus volitans. Although Jordan & Gilbert found this species rather common at Beaufort in 1878 and Jenkins reported it as common in 1885, it had not recently been met with in that region until the summer of 1904, when 1 was collected by Dr. E. W. Gudger. Another was seined on Bird Shoal August 5, 1905, by Mr. C. B. Wilson. It occurs regularly, but in limited numbers, as far north as Massachusetts, and ranges thence southward along the entire coast, being most numerous on the shores of the South Atlantic and Gulf States. The North Carolina fishermen call this species ‘‘flying-fish”. It reaches a length of a foot, and is very singularin appearance and interesting in habits. Family GOBIIDA. The Gobies. The gobies form an exceedingly large and diversified family of carnivorous fishes, found in the warmer waters of all parts of the world. They are for the most part small and live upon the bottom, in both fresh and salt water. Some species are blind. A few are of economic importance. The American genera number more than 30 and the species nearly 100. The family characters are: Rather elongate body; mouth small, moderate or large with protractile pre- maxillaries and teeth of various kinds; gi'ls 4, gill-membranes united to the isth- mus; opercle without spines, preopercle with a short spine or none; pseudo- branchiz present; pyloric ececa absent; air-bladder usually lacking; skin either naked or scaly, the scales cycloid or ctenoid; lateral line absent; fins of a great 364 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. variety of shapes; 2 dorsal fins, which are either separate or connected, the spinous part less developed than the other, the spines 2 to 8 (rarely absent); anal similar to soft dorsal, usually with a weak spine; caudal rounded or pointed, not concave or forked; pectorals large or small; ventrals thoracic, the rays 1,5, the fins either close together or united, if the latter a fold of skin across base forms a kind of sucking cup. The species now known in the state fall in 4 genera, as follows: Key to the North Carolina genera of gobies. i. Ventral fins not united; body covered with large scales.................. DorMirator. i. Ventral fins united; scales if present small or moderate. d: Dorsal spines:6 ice oa ciex deans ans seed 64 dee vea Sori wea e eee Se ete te CTENOGOBIUS. aa. Dorsal spines 7 or 8. b. Body more or less scaly, head naked; soft dorsal and anal rays 15 to 17; size minute. Microgosius. bb. Body and head without scales; soft dorsal and anal rays 10 to 14; size small. GoBIOSOMA. Genus DORMITATOR Gill. Pufiecas. Form rather stout; head broad and flat; mouth small, oblique; no vomerine teeth; preopercle without spine; scales on body and opercles large, ctenoid, those on cheeks small; all fins large, the second dorsal high. Apparently only a single, variable species. (Dormitator, a sleeper.) 314. DORMITATOR MACULATUS (Bloch). Guavina; Spotted Goby. Sciena maculata, Bloch Ichthyologie, pl. 299, fig. 2, 1790; West Indies. Dormitator maculatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, p. 2196, pl. ccexxiv, fig. 782. é s) Aare REE Ce Cea er ORK: DOES SEEN SS Ee Fig. 166. Srorrep Gosy. Dormitator maculatus. Diaenosis.—Body stout, the depth about .33 length; head short and broad, a little more than .25 total length; lower jaw very slightly longer than upper; maxillary extending about to anterior edge of eye; snout blunt, rounded, longer than diameter of the small eye; scales in lateral series about 33, in transverse series 12; dorsal rays v11+1,8 or 9, the posterior soft rays longer than head; anal rays 1,9 or 10, the fin somewhat smaller than soft dorsal; caudal broad and rounded; pectorals broad, their length less than head; ventrals reaching to vent. Color: dark gray or brown, with lighter spots; a large black spot above base of pectoral; a dark SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 365 streak along side; dark streaks on head; branchiostegal membrane black; dorsal fins with severzl series of dark spots; anal with bluish bars and a white margin. (maculatus, spotted.) Mr. William P. Seal collected a number of small specimens of this species in fresh water near Wilmington in the winter of 1905-6, and .thus extended its known range, South Carolina heretofore being the most northern state from which it was recorded. The fish is found in fresh and brackish waters as far south as Brazil, and is also known from the west coast of Mexico and Central America. It reaches a length of several feet, and is eaten in some countries. Genus CTENOGOBIUS Gill. Gobies. A very numerous genus of small fishes found in both salt and fresh waters in all parts of the world. The body is elongate and compressed; the head is rather long and more or less depressed; the mouth is of moderate size, with several series of conical teeth in jaws; the eye is anterior to middle of head; thescales are of moderate or rather small size, ctenoid, not deciduous, sometimes absent from nape, breast, and cheeks; dorsal fins separate, the anterior with 6 weak spines; soft dorsal and anal long; caudal pointed; pectorals well developed; ventrals united, not adnate to abdomen. Besides the following species known from the shore waters of North Carolina, several others range as far northward as Charles- ton, 8. C., and may in time be detected in this state. (Ctenogobius, comb goby; in allusion to the ctenoid scales.) 315. CTENOGOBIUS STIGMATIOUS (Poey). “Scallop-fish’’; Goby. Smaragdus stigmaticus Poey, Memorias, ii, 281, 1861; Cuba. Gobius stigmaticus, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2224, pl. cecxxvi, fig. 787; North Carolina to Brazil. Gobius enceomus Jordan & Gilbert, Proceedings U. 8. National Museum, 1882, 611; Charleston, S.C. Jenkins, 1885; Beaufort. Jordan & Eigenmann, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1886, 496; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2223. Gobionellus enceomus, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Fig. 167. Gosy. Ctenogobius stigmaticus. Diacnosis.—Form very elongate, the depth .16 length; head slightly. compressed, .25 length; mouth low, horizontal, comparatively large, the maxillary .4 length of head and extend- ing toapoint under pupil; height of cheeks less than eye; eye high, less than .3 length of head; interorbital space less than .3 diameter of eye; snout short, obtuse, its length less than eye; scales large, strongly ctenoid, 27 to 33 in lengthwise series; nape, head, and breast naked; dorsal fins contiguous, the rays vi+11 or 12, the spines high (longest .6 head); soft dorsal 366 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. and anal long and high, reaching the base of caudal when depressed; anal rays 12 or 13; caudal lanceolate, the middle rays longer than head; pectorals about as long as head; ventrals somewhat shorter. Color: Male—light green, with dark mottlings above; sides with 4 to 6 dark blotches; a large, distinct bluish-black spot on each side of nape; several rows of brown spots on each dorsal; -4 to 6 irregular brown vertical bars on caudal; lower fins dusky. Female —duller; sides with a row of elongated dark spots, the light bars absent or faint. (stigmaticus, spotty.) This little species inhabits sandy bays from North Carolina to Florida, and is apparently common about Beaufort. Jenkins reports that he “obtained about 30 specimens with considerable difficulty”, and notes the local name of “‘scallop- fish’’. Numerous specimens about 1.25 inches long were seined on Uncle Israel Shoal in January, 1905. The maximum length is 2 inches. The species is ‘subject to considerable variation in form and color, depending on size, sex, and locality. The form called enceomus does not appear to be distinct from stig- maticus. Genus MICROGOBIUS Poey. Gobies. Very small shore fishes, with elongate, more or less compressed body; large and very oblique mouth, the lower jaw prominent; strong teeth; small cycloid or weakly ctenoid scales; 7 or 8 dorsal spines; and 15 to 18 soft dorsal and anal rays. Four species are now known from the coast between Virginia and Texas, and several others occur in the West Indies; therefore, in addition to the 2 following, several other species may be looked for in North Carolina: i. Body strongly compressed; depth contained 5 times in length; caudal fin much longer than head; color green; anal fin with a row of distinct black spots on margin; no distinct black BPOON Spinous COSA oss os wep ccesasnatinn ek tee AAG hal emcee Sa aa in wae Ams raL ae holmest. ti. Body slightly compressed; depth contained 5.5 times in length; caudal fin equal to head; color yellow or light brown; no black spots on anal fin; a distinct black spot on spinous Corsali: icc etedivca seuGe Salialan 6 suelns eo.cpncret bales eiigerd me bwlde 4 oath see SaaS eulepis. (Microgobius, small goby.) 317. MICROGOBIUS HOLMESI Smith, new species. Holmes’ Goby. Diaenosis.—Form elongate, the body greatly compressed, the depth greatest over-base of pectorals where it is .2 length; caudal peduncle very short, broad, its greatest depth equal to its length and more than .5 body depth; head comparatively large, contained 3.6 times in length of body, slightly compressed, its width somewhat less than its depth, which is .66 its length; eye placed high and directed upward and outward, contained 3.4 times in head; eyes separated by a deep narrow groove; interorbital space very narrow, .3 width of pupil; snout about .7 eye and less than .25 head; mouth large, strong, very oblique; lower jaw projecting, its tip nearly on level with lower edge of pupil; maxillary extending to point under anterior margin of pupil, its length nearly .5 head; teeth in a narrow band in each jaw; cheek large, its height greater than diameter of eye and about .3 length of head; scales cycloid, non- deciduous, rather small, largest on posterior part of body and gradually becoming smaller anteriorly; head, nape, and breast naked; scales, in lateral line about 48, in transverse line between the origin of second dorsal and anal 11 or 12; dorsal fins distinct, the rays vir+ 16, the first and last soft rays unbranched; spinous dorsal begins behind posterior margin of opercle a distance equal to diameter of pupil, all the rays slender and high, the longest more than. .8 head; origin of soft dorsal directly over vent, the rays of nearly uniform height, .5 head, the SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 367 base of the fin more than .5 trunk, the last rays reaching beyond base of outer caudal rays; anal fin directly under soft dorsal and of same length, but the rays 18 in number and somewhat shorter; caudal large, broad, and pointed, its length greater than head; pectorals very broad, their insertion slightly in advance of dorsal, their broad base equal to .5 length of head, their length about equal to head and extending beyond origin of anal; ventrals large, nearly as long as head, reaching to anus, the basal membrane very well developed and nearly .33 length of fin. Color: body and head uniformly pale clear green, each scale with a fine dark edge; anterior half of body marked by 5 or 6 pale, narrow, vertical crossbars, widest anteriorly, placed at irregular intervals; a similar bar at base of caudal; spinous dorsal with 4 oblique rows of dark spots on membranes; soft dorsal with 5 or 6 similar rows of spots; anal dusky, the distal margin of each membrane except the first, sixteenth, and seventeenth having a vertically elongated distinct black spot in a clear area, these spots forming a regular row; caudal, pectorals, and ventrals dusky. Fig. 168. Hoximes’ Gopy. Microgobius holmesi. a. Ventrals fins viewed from below. Type, a specimen 1.75 inches long taken on Uncle Israel Shoal, Beaufort Harbor, July 20, 1904, by Dr. E. W. Gudger. Named for Prof. J. A. Holmes, former state geologist of North Carolina, now associated with the U. 8. Geological Survey. This species resembles Microgobius thalassinus Jordan & Gilbert, from Charleston, 8. C., but differs in having a much deeper caudal peduncle, a pro- jecting lower jaw, shorter maxillary, smaller eye, no filamentous dorsal spines, shorter caudal fin, more numerous anal rays, shorter ventrals, persistent scales, and in color of dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, body, and head. From Microgobius eulepis Eigenmann & Eigenmann, from Fortress Monroe, Va., this species may be distinguished by its rather larger head, deeper and much more compressed body, longer snout, longer caudal fin, absence of a sharply defined black spot on spinous dorsal fin, and various other characters of form and color. Only a single specimen is as yet known, but other examples. will no doubt be collected at Beaufort and other points. 368 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 817. MICROGOBIUS EULEPIS Eigenmann & Higenmann. Goby. Microgobius eulepis Eigenmann & Eigenmann, Proceedings California Academy of Science, 1888, 69; Fortress Monroe, Va. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2244. Draenosis.—Body scarcely compressed, depth contained 5.5 times in length; head .25 length, its depth .75 length; eye large, .28 length of head; interorbital as wide as pupil; snout short, broad, .2 length of head; preorbital narrower than pupil; mouth oblique, maxillary not reaching to anterior margin of pupil; teeth in both jaws in a narrow band, some of them enlarged; scales rather large, crowded anteriorly, the breast, nape, and spinous dorsal region naked, number in lateral series 50, in transverse series 14; dorsal rays vir+-15 to v1+17, the longest spine .66 length of head; anal rays 16 or 17; caudal .25 length of body; pectorals and ventrals about as long as head. Color; yellow or very light brown without bars or stripes, the scales on back with dark margin; a light vertical bar on preopercle; a sharply defined black spot on upper part of spinous dorsal between fourth and fifth spines; other fins plain. (eulepis, well scaled.) Up to this time this species has been known only from the type specimen, 1.87 inches long, collected at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. During 1905 a number of specimens were seined by Charles Hatsel on sandy shoals in Beaufort Harbor; 4 were taken in February on Uncle Israel Shoal, and another on May 18. The last, 1.5 inches long, is a female distended with nearly ripe eggs; the mouth is much more vertical than in the preceding species and the snout is shorter; and the black spot on spinous dorsal is very distinct. Genus GOBIOSOMA Girard. Naked Gobies. These gobies reach a.length of only 2 or 3 inches, and are easily recognizable by the entire absence of scales, combined with a rather elongate body, small to large mouth with jaw teeth in several rows, the outer teeth larger, normally 7 dorsal spines, and united ventral fins. Several species in "West Indies and on our southern coasts, but only 1 ranging as far northward as North Carolina. (Gobiosoma, having the body of Gobius.) ° 318. GOBIOSOMA BOSCI (Lacépéde). Naked Goby. Gobius bosci Lacépéde, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, ii, 555, pl. 16, fig. 1, 1798; Charleston, S.C. Gobiosoma bosci, Jenkins, 1885, Beaufort. Jordan, 1886,28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887,91; Beaufort. Jordan and Evermann, 1898, 2259. Diacnosis.—Depth .16 to .20 total length; head broad, flat, .33 total length; mouth large, jaws equal; teeth in a few rows, some of them enlarged and canine, teeth smaller in female; maxillary extending to posterior third of eye; cheeks tumid; eye .2 head and wider than snout; dorsal rays vii+14, the spines slender; anal rays 10; caudal rounded; ventrals forming a sucking disk. Color: greenish, with 7 or 8 pale transverse bars and dark shades; fins barred. (Named for M. Bosc, French consul at Charleston.) This fish ranges from Cape Cod to Florida and is common in suitable locali- ties on the coast of North Carolina; it was first recorded from Beaufort by Jen- ’ kins (1885), and has recently been obtained at the same place, specimens being preserved in the government laboratory there. The fish lives on the bottom in shallow bays, and is often found in empty oyster shells. Its length is 2.5 inches. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 369 Family ECHENEIDIA. The Remoras. These fishes are instantly recognized by the presence of a large, oval disk on the top of the head by means of which they adhere firmly to sharks and other fishes as well as to turtles, boats, and other objects. The disk, which is a modi- fied spinous dorsal fin, is divided by numerous crosswise partitions, or lamine, and by a single lengthwise septum, and is of a leathery consistency. Other characters of the family are elongate or slender body; wide mouth; projecting lower jaw; bands of fine teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; no opercular arma- ture; 4 gill-arches, with short gill-rakers; gill-membranes not connected and free from isthmus; 7 branchiostegals; body covered with minute cycloid scales; no air-bladder; a few pyloric ececa; long and low dorsal and anal fins, rather large caudal of variable shape; upper edge of pectoral base near the back; and thoracic ventrals. Four genera are represented in American waters, all occurring on the east coast of the United States, but only 2, as follows, are as yet known from North Carolina: t. Form stouter; lower jaw not produced asa flap; lamine 13 to 18; soft dorsal and anal rays ; 22 to 32; pectorals rounded; ventrals broadly attached to abdomen .......... EcHENEIS. tz. Form very slender; lower jaw produced as a flap; lamine 20 to 28; soft dorsal and anal rays 31 to 40; pectorals sharp-pointed; ventrals narrowly attached to abdomen. LrprEecHENEIS. Genus ECHENEIS Linnzus. Remoras; Shark-suckers. Body comparatively stout; disk relatively short, with 13 to 18 lamina; soft dorsal with 22 to 32 rays; anal rays 22 to 30; caudal margin square or slightly concave; pectorals short, rounded; ventrals rather short, and broadly adnate to abdomen. Three widely distributed species, 2 known from the east coast as far north as Cape Cod, but only 1 recorded from the state. (Echeneis, one that holds back a ship.) 819. ECHENEIS REMORA Linnezus. “Sucker”; Remora. Echeneis remora Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 260, 1758; Indian Ocean. Yarrow, 1877, 212; Shackleford Banks. Remora jacobea, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 381; Beaufort (after Yarrow). Remora remora, Jordan, 1886, 27; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 87; Beaufort (after Yarrow). Jordan & Ever- mann, 1898, 2271. Diacnosis.—Depth about .15 total length; head broad, .25 length; lower jaw not pro- duced as a flexible tip; maxillary extending to anterior margin of eye; disk .35 length of body, the laminz about 18; soft dorsal rays 23; anal rays 25; caudal fin rather broad, concave behind; pectorals short, broad, rounded, .6 length of head; ventrals joined to abdomen by more than .5 length of inner rays. Color: nearly uniform dark brown (remora, holding back.) This remora is usually observed attached to large sharks; its frequents all warm seas, and is found on the east coast of the United States as far north as Woods Hole. Itsmaximum length isabout 1.25 feet. Noone but Yarrow has recorded the species in North Carolina waters; his note reads: Uncommon; a few specimens seen, which were taken by the fishermen on Shackleford Banks. They stated that these fish were found in the mouths of sharks. Size of specimen six inches. 370 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Genus LEPTECHENEIS Gill. Shark-suckers; Remoras. Body slender, fusiform; disk long, with 20 to 28 laminz; soft dorsal with numerous short rays; anal similar, the anterior rays somewhat elongate; caudal slightly concave behind; pectorals pointed, the rays soft and flexible; ventrals long, narrowly adnate to abdomen. A single species of world wide distribution. (Leptecheneis, slender Echeneis.) 3820. LEPTECHENEIS NAUORATES (Linne@us). “Pilot”; “Shark’s Pilot’?; Shark-sucker; Remora. Echeneis naucrates Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. s, 261, 1758; Indian Ocean. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 381; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 87; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2269, pl. cccxxix, fig. 796. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Leptecheneis naucrates, Yarrow, 1877, 212; Beaufort. ?Echeneis naucrateoides Zuiew, Nova Acta Academie Basauanin Imperialis Petropolitane, iv, 1789, 279. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2270. Echeneis lineata Holbrook, Ichthyology of South Carolina, 102, 1860; Charleston: Diaenosis.—Depth contained 9 to 12 times in total length; the caudal peduncle very slender; head about .2 length; strongly projecting lower jaw with flexible tip; maxillary not reaching anterior margin of eye, .33 length of head; snout more than .4 length of head; eye small, .2 head; gill-rakers very short and slender, the longest equal to diameter of pupil; length of disk .2 to .3 length of body, its width .4 its length, the laminz 20 to 28; soft dorsal very low, the rays 32 to 40; anal rays 31 to 38; caudal rather long, the edge concave in adults, the middle rays longer than in young; pectorals .66 length of head; ventrals slightly longer than pectorals, the inner rays narrowly joined to abdomen by a membrane. Color: slaty brown; a broad blackish stripe, widest anteriorly, extending from pectoral base to caudal fin, margined with white; the same stripe extending across opercle, through eye, to snout; dorsal and anal fins with white margins; caudal black, the angles white; pectorals and ventrals black, with pale edges. (naucrates, a pilot.) Fig. 169. Swark-sucker; Remora. Leptecheneis naucrates. This is the best known remora of the Atlantic coast, most frequently found attached to large fishes. It attains a length of nearly 3 feet. At Beaufort it is not uncommon, usually attached to sharks, but also swimming independently and sometimes caught with hook and line from the wharves. The local names “pilot” and “shark’s pilot”. In July, 1905, a number were taken in a pound net operated in connection with the laboratory. The nominal species naucrateoides is said to differ from naucrates in having 20 or 21 laminz in the sucking disk and the disk contained less than 4 times in total length of fish; but it seems to the present writer that this distinction can not be maintained. Examples from Beaufort have 23 lamin and the disk contained 3.5 times in total length of fish, thus partaking of the character of both forms. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 371 Family URANOSCOPID. The Star-gazers. The star-gazers are strongly marked, carnivorous marine fishes, living on the bottom in shallow waters. Body elongate, very broad, slightly compressed ; head large, broad, with bony plates; mouth vertical, lower jaw strong and promi- nent, premaxillaries protractile, maxillary broad; small teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines, eyes very small, on upper surface of head and directed upward; gill-slits wide, gill-membranes not joined to isthmus; pseudobranchie present; branchiostegals 6; pyloric cceca present; air-bladder usually lacking; skin either naked or covered with small, smooth scales in oblique rows; lateral line high; spinous dorsal fin either short or wanting; soft dorsal and anal rather long; caudal truncate or rounded; pectorals with broad base, the lower rays very short; ventrals jugular, the rays 1,5, inner ray longest. Two American genera and 5 species, only 1 spécies known from the south Atlantic coast. Genus ASTROSCOPUS Brevoort. Electric Star-gazers. Body stout; upper part of head covered with bony plates in young, not fully covered in adult; a y-shaped bony process on top of head, between eyes; a naked area on each side of the y; a fringed groove or furrow extending forward from behind and on inner side of eyes; head destitute of spines; nostrils and lips fringed; back and sides covered with small, densely set scales, head naked and abdomen more or less so; first dorsal composed of 4 or 5 low, stout spines with connecting membrane; caudal margin square or slightly rounded; pectorals and ventrals rather large. The naked areas on the head give an electric shock when touched. (Astroscopus, star gazer.) 321. ASTROSCOPUS Y-GRAZCUM (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “‘Electric-toad”; Star-gazer. Uranoscopus y-grecum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, iii, 308, 1829. Upsilonphorus y-grecum, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. -Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Astroscopus anoplus, Yarrow, 1877, 207; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 372; Beaufort. Astroscopus y-grecum, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2307, pl. ccexxxiv, fig. 808; Beaufort, etc. Dracnosis.—Body compressed behind, robust forward, the depth .25 length; head (to end of snout) .33 length; mouth large, turned upward, a fringe of stiff barbels on each jaw; small, conical teeth in numerous bands in each jaw, teeth also on vomer and palatines; tongue large and fleshy; maxillary .4 head; eyes protruding, very small, .08 head and .25 interorbital space; bones of head with granular surface; on either side of y-shaped bony ridge is a naked area , and between the forks of the y is another; nostrils with branched fringe; each posterior nos tril extends backward as a curved, fringed groove terminating behind eye; body scaled except on belly, scales very small, about 80 in lateral series; head naked; a slight median keel from ventral fins to vent; dorsal rays 1v+1,12; anal rays 13; caudal margin nearly straight; pectorals long and pointed, their broad base .5 length of head; ventral rays thick and fleshy. Color: variegated and variable; upper parts dark brown, with numerous small, round, white spots with a black edge; top of head not so dark as back, the spots elongated and interspersed with irregular black lines; eyes, chin, and whiskers spotted; lower parts pale; fins with black and white bands or stripes. (y-gre@cum, Greek y, in allusion to the bony process on top of head.) 372 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Under the name of “electric toad” this fish is known to all the fishermen of the Beaufort region. The species ranges from Cape Hatteras to the West Indies, but is nowhere abundant. It frequents sandy shores, and buries itself with the exception of the eyes and lips while lying in‘wait for its prey. A speci- men in the Beaufort laboratory is 10.75 inches long, but the species reaches a length of 15 inches or more.* A star-gazer 2.5 inches long taken on Bird Shoal, Beaufort Harbor, July 14, 1904, had the following colors: Back, sides, and head black without spots; under parts white; opercle brownish; lower jaw, chin, and throat jet black; fins as in adult. Fig. 170. Srar-cazer. Astroscopus y-grecum. The electric organ in this species is of a peculiar structure not found in any other fishes, and in proportion to its size is said to be the most powerful known in animals. Family BATRACHOIDID, The Toad-fishes. A small family of marine, bottom fishes, with robust form, compressed pos- teriorly and depressed anteriorly; large mouth with strong teeth; reduced gill- openings, 3 gills, gill-membranes united to isthmus; no pyloric cceca; air-bladder present; scaled or scaleless body; 2 dorsal fins, the anterior with 2 or 3 low spines, the posterior very long and similar to anal; caudal rounded, free from dorsal and anal; pectorals broad; ventrals large and jugular. About 5 American genera, of which 2 are represented on the east coast of the United States, although 1 of these (Porichthys) is recorded only as far north as South Carolina. Genus OPSANUS Rafinesque. Toad-fishes. Rather small carnivorous shore fishes, found mostly in warmer waters; body stout, scaleless, with loose, wrinkled skin and obscure lateral line; numer- ous flaps or cirri on head; mouth very wide, with fleshy lips and with a single row of blunt teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; opercle with 2 concealed spines; a large foramen in axil of pectorals; dorsal spines 3. Two American species, 1 in the Gulf of Mexico and the following. (Opsanus, eye upward.) * Jenkins (1887) states that Dr. Coues obtained one specimen of Astroscopus guttatus at Beaufort; but the specimen referred to is listed by Yarrow (1877) as anoplus, a synonym of y-grecum. There is no record of the occurrence of guttatus south of Virginia, but it may be looked for on the shores north of Cape Hatteras, which locality is given by Jordan & Evermann (1898) as the southern limit of its range. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 373 822. OPSANUS TAU (Linneus). “Toad-fish”; “Toad”; “Rock-toad”; Oyster-fish. Gadus tau Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 440, 1766; Carolina. Batrachus tau, Yarrow, 1877, 206; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 372; Beaufort, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 91; Beaufort. Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Opsanus tau, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2315. Linton, 1905, 406; Beaufort. Diacnosis.—Depth somewhat more than .2 length; head broad, .37 length: jaws very strong, the teeth smaller anteriorly; end of upper jaw and under side of lower jaw with large flaps; smaller flaps on preopercle; diameter of eye equal to length of snout and interorbital space; dorsal rays 111+24; anal rays 24. Color: back, sides, and head dull greenish or brownish, with profuse black markings which run together on sides and form irregular bars; belly and under sides of head dirty yellowish, sometimes dark spotted; numerous small, pale yellow or whitish spots on sides; soft dorsal and anal fins with 5 to 9 oblique irregular black bands; caudal, pectorals, and ventrals with 5 to 7 similar but-more sharply-defined cross bands. (tau,éhe Greek letter T; in allusion to the shape of bones on top of head when dried.) Fig. 171. Toap-FisH. Opsanus tau. The toad-fish is one of the best known and least liked fishes along the coast from Cape Cod to Florida. Its sluggish habits, repulsive appearance, ability to inflict a painful wound with its powerful jaws, and its uselessness are sufficient to condemn it in the estimation of most people. It is abundant along the shores of North Carolina, and is called “toad”, “toad-fish”’, and “‘rock-toad” by the fishermen, It is frequently caught in nets and is also taken with hook-and-line in still-fishing, especially on oysters bars or broken bottoms. The maximum length is 15 inches, but the species reaches sexual maturity when 6 or 7 inches long. On March 26, 1904, a specimen 1.37 inches long was seined at Beaufort. Owing to its extreme ugliness, the toad-fish is rarely eaten; the flesh is well flav- ored, however. The breeding habits of the species are very interesting. The eggs are laid in summer, and are attached in a single layer to the under side of rocks or the inside of tin cans, oyster shells, etc. Fort some time after hatching the young remain attached by means of a special sucking disk. Yarrow (1877) notes that at Beaufort “in April, 1871, a female was discovered watching her eggs, which had been deposited in an old boot-leg; the tide had receded, leaving her in about 4 inches of water, and, although attempts were made to drive her away, she pre- ferred to remain and was consequently captured”’. 374 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. All kinds of animal food are eaten by this fish, Numerous examples exam- ined at Beaufort by Professor Linton in July and August were found to have been feeding on fish, blue crabs, spider crabs, stone crabs, fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, various bivalve and univalve mollusks, and sea urchins. Family GOBIESOCIDH. The Cling-fishes. The cling-fishes are small, carnivorous, and easily recognizable by the exist- ence of a large sucking disk between and behind the ventral fins. The disk is rounded in outline, is in part formed by the ventral fins, and its surface is cov- ered with thick skin; by means of it these fishes are-able to attach themselves tightly to stones, rocks, and other objects. Other characters of the family are elongate body, depressed anteriorly; moderate-sized mouth with well developed jaw teeth; greatly reduced opercle; 24 or 3 gill-arches; broadly connected: gill- membranes; skin without scales; deficient air-bladder; no spinous dorsal fin, the soft dorsal placed posteriorly, similar to and opposite anal; pectoral fins well developed; and ventral fins widely separated, the rays 1,4 or 1,5. These fishes are found mostly in shoal, warm waters among rocks or stones. The largest species are under 8 inches long, and the family has no direct economic importance. There are 5 or 6 American genera, but only the typical genus, Gobiesox, is known from the east coast of the United States. Genus GOBIESOX Lacépéde. Cling-fishes. A numerous American genus, having the body very broad anteriorly and slender posteriorly; the head large; the mouth terminal, with strong teeth in jaws and no teeth on vomer or palatines; a strong spine on the opercle; 3 gills; broadly connected’ gill-membranes free from the isthmus; dorsal and anal rays in moderate number (6 to 12); and the posterior section of the sucking disk without a free anterior margin. (Gobiesox, goby pike.) 323. GOBIESOX VIRGATULUS Jordan & Gilbert. Cling-fish. Gobiesox virgatulus Jordan & Gilbert, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1882, 293; Pensacola, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2333. Diacnosis.—Depth of body .16 total length; head low, broadly rounded anteriorly, its length .35, its width .3 total length; posterior angle of mouth below front of eye; lower jaw the shorter; 2 series of teeth in upper jaw, 4 teeth in outer series somewhat enlarged; eye small, about .2 head and .4 broad interorbital space; cheeks bulging; opercle ending in a sharp spine; dorsal rays 10; anal rays 8 or 9; sucking disk shorter than head; pectorals short, less than .5 head. Color: olive green, with pale spots, broad dark cross-bars, and faint, wavy longitudinal yellowish brown lines; the dorsal and anal crossed by the dark bars of the body; caudal dusky, with yellow tip. (virgatulus, narrowly striped.) The first North Carolina record for this little species was August 19, 1899, when it was found at the wharf of an oyster cannery in Beaufort Harbor. It has since been found abundantly among the rocks of the Fo:t Macon jetties, and doubtless occurs elsewhere in suitable situations. It has heretofore been known SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 375 only as far north as Charleston, whence it ranges to Pensacola. Its maximum length is 4 inches. Family BLENNIID#. The Blennies. The blennies are small or medium sized carnivorous marine and fresh-water fishes, found in all latitudes, the number of known species being about 400, divided into nearly 100 genera. They are particularly abundant on rocky shores and among seaweeds and, while some of them are viviparous, most of them are oviparous The body is moderately or greatly elongated, and more or less compressed; the head large or small; the mouth usually small, sometimes large, never vertical, variously provided with teeth; no spines on head; gill-mem- branes either free from isthmus or joined to it; skin naked or covered with small or moderate sized cycloid or ctenoid scales; lateral line simple, double, or absent; dorsal fin very long, the anterior part, the posterior part, or the entire fin with spines; anal similar to dorsal; caudal sometimes united with dorsal and anal, sometimes distinct, usually rounded; pectorals varying in size, from large to rudimentary; ventrals small or wanting, if present far forward, with 1 spine and 1 to 3 soft rays. Of the many American genera, 3 closely related are known from North Carolina. Key to the North Carolina genera of blennies. t. No fang-like canine teeth in posterior part of either jaw; maxillary extending to or beyond posterior border of eye; a cirrus or filament present or absent over each eye. a. Upper profile of head gently curved, the snout sharp; orbital cirrus small or wanting. CHASMODES. aa. Upper profile very abruptly curved, the snout blunt; orbital cirrus well developed. HypsoBLENNIUS. ii. Fang-like canine teeth in posterior part of both jaws; maxillary reaching as far as pupil; large cirrus or filament over each eye, with 4 smaller ones at base (the cirrus shorter in ROTM AL Es csecsceca ausst ycfa oh cease cosnenadah degn Su ee ae caveat aw Reeeanten Neen aa eR HYPLEUROCHILUS. Genus CHASMODES Cuvier & Valenciennes. Blennies, Body oblong, compressed; head pointed; mouth large, maxillary extending as far as or beyond posterior margin of eye, premaxillaries not protractile; teeth long and slender, in one series and only in front of jaws, no canines; gill-slits very short and above upper half of the base of pectoral fins; lateral line incomplete; skin without scales; a small cirrus over each eye, often wanting; dorsal fin with anterior rays spinous; anal fin similar to soft dorsal; caudal rounded, either united to or free from dorsal; pectorals large; ventrals well developed, jugular, the rays1,3. (Chasmodes, yawning.) 324. CHASMODES BOSQUIANUS (Lacépéde). Banded Blenny. Blennius bosquianus Lacépede, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, ii, 493, 1800: South Carolina. Chasmodes bosquianus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 372; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2394. Dracnosis.—Depth more than .25 length; head equal to depth; maxillary reaching to or beyond posterior edge of eye; interorbital space very narrow; tentacle over eye minute or absent; dorsal fin continuous, arising anterior to ventrals and extending to caudal, the rays 376 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. x1,19; anal rays 11,19: caudal fin joined to dorsal. Color: Male olive green, with about 9 narrow longitudinal blue lines; opercular margin orange yellow; spinous dorsal with a broad median orange yellow stripe; anal dark, with white tip; a dusky spot at base of caudal. Female darker, with narrow wavy pale green lines and several broad dark bars; head with black dots; a dusky spot at base of caudal. (Named for Bose, the French consul who collected for Lacépéde at Charleston.) A well known and rather abundant blenny of the east coast from New York to Florida. It is common in Beaufort Harbor on the shoals. The sexes are quite dissimilar in color, and have several times been described as-different species. Maximum length 4 inches. Genus HYPSOBLENNIUS Gill. Blennies. Form oblong, compressed; head short, profile steep, snout blunt; mouth small, horizontal; maxillary extending to middle of eye or to posterior border; teeth long, slender, in a single series in each jaw, none of them canine; gill-open- ings very much reduced, owing to the junction of the gill-membranes with the isthmus as far upward as base of pectorals; skin naked; lateral line deficient posteriorly; well developed tentacles over eyes; dorsal fin long, anterior part spinous and separated from posterior by a slight notch; anal similar to posterior dorsal; caudal rounded, free from dorsal and anal; pectorals well developed; ventrals jugular, with 1 strong spine and 3 unbranched jointed rays. Small American shore fishes, found on both coasts; 2 Atlantic species, 1 ranging from Texas to South Carolina (ionthas), and the following. (Hypsoblennius, high blenny.) Fig. 172. Burenny. Hypsoblennius hentz. 325. HYPSOBLENNIUS HENTZ (LeSueur). Blenny; Spotted Seaweed-fish. Blennius hent LeSueur, Journal Academy Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, iv, 1825, 363; Charleston, S. C. Hypleurochilus punctatus, Yarrow, 1877, 206; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 372; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Isesthes punctatus, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. ‘ Hypsoblennius hentz, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2390, pl. ceexxxix, fig. 823; North and South Carolina, ete. Linton, 1905, 410; Beaufort. Driaenosis.—Body rather deep, depth .33 length; head short, .3 length; snout very short and nearly vertical; mouth low, horizontal, maxillary extending to or beyond posterior margin of eye; eye large, more than .2 length of head; interorbital space concave, .5 diameter of eye; SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 377 gill-opening less than .5 length of head; a branched tentacle, as long as first dorsal spine, over each eye, and a minute cirrus over each nostril; dorsal fin rather high, the 2 parts sepa- rated by a slight notch, the rays x1,14 to x11,15, the soft rays higher than spines; anal rays 16 to 18: caudal rounded; pectorals broad; ventrals more than .5 head. Color: light bluish ash mixed with brownish red, with numerous irregular black and reddish spots; 3 narrow dark bars on lower side of head; cheeks dark, spinous dorsal black, with light spots; soft dorsal and caudal with dark bands; anal dusky; pectorals greenish, with brown spots; ventrals blackish with pale bands. (Named for the collector, Dr. Nicholas Hentz.) This species is abundant on sandy shores and among seaweeds, from North Carolina to Florida. It has often been found in the Beaufort region in company with other blennies, and is recorded in all the lists of Beaufort fishes. Length, 4 inches. Genus HYPLEUROCHILUS Gill, Blennies, Body oblong, compressed; head short; mouth low, horizontal, with strong posterior canine teeth in both jaws, in addition to smaller teeth in front; gill- openings much restricted, the membranes being broadly joined to isthmus; lateral line present on anterior part of body; skin naked; a large tentacle over eye in male, a smaller one in female; dorsal fin long, low, and continuous, without notch. The genus contains a single American species. (Hypleurochilus, having v-shaped side-lips.) 326. HYPLEUROCHILUS GEMINATUS (Wood). Blenny; Seaweed-fish. ~ Blennius geminatus Wood, Journal Academy Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, iv, 1824, 278; Charleston, S. C. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 371; Beaufort. Blennius fucorum, Yarrow, 1877, 206; Beaufort. Hypleurochilus geminatus, Jordan, 1886, 28; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2385. Hypleurochilus multifilis, Wilson, 1900, 355; Beaufort. Draenosis.—Depth .25 to .28 length; head not very blunt, its length rather greater than depth of body, anterior profile:straight and oblique; besides the single row of long, slender teeth in each jaw, there are strong, hooked canines, those in lower jaw the larger; gill-slits short, extending downward to lower edge of pectoral base; interorbital space concave, less than .5 diameter of eye; a large tentacle over each eye in male, with 4 smaller ones at its base; tentacle in female shorter than eye; dorsal rays x1,15 to x111,14, the spines slender and shorter than soft rays; anal rays 11,18; caudal rounded. Color: brownish green, with indistinct dark bars; sides with a double row of reddish brown spots; anal and other vertical fins with black margins. (geminatus, twin.) This appears to be the most abundant blenny on the North Carolina coast, whence it ranges to Texas. The maximum length is about 2.5 inches. Dr. Coker contributes the following note on the species at Beaufort: Adults very common about piles of wharves (at the Morehead railroad pier), living amongst ascidians, sponges, etc.; very abundant among the rocks of the Fort Macon jetties. In captivity the fish seek to hide under shells, etc.; specimens were once kept in the laboratory in an earthenware jar for weeks without change of water, the water meanwhile evaporating nearly one half. The eggs are laid [in August] in a single layer, attached to the rocks, ascidians, shells, etc., among which the adults live. All stages, from .5 inch up to adults, can be gotten 378 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. in such a locality, but the early stages (except the young just from the egg) have not been obtained, though a careful search has been made with different methods; evidently the species has a different habitat in very early life. Family ZOARCIDE. The Eel-pouts. Marine fishes of moderate size abounding in cold water and living on the bottom, sometimes at considerable depths; some of the species viviparous. Body elongate, eel-shaped in some genera; head and mouth large; conical teeth in jaws, teeth sometimes present on vomer and palatines; gill-opening a vertical slit; gills 4, gill-rakers small, gill-membranes united to the isthmus; skin naked or covered with small, imbedded cycloid scales; lateral line present but incon- spicuous; pyloric cceca rudimentary; dorsal fin long, low, continuous, the rays usually soft but sometimes spinous posteriorly; anal long, low, of soft rays only; dorsal and anal usually confluent around tail; pectorals short and broad; ventrals if present jugular and very small. About 15 American genera. Genus ZOARCES Cuvier. Mutton-fishes; Eel-pouts, Form elongate, somewhat compressed, tapering posteriorly; head moder- ately long, contracted above; mouth large, provided with strong, blunt jaw teeth in several rows; lateral line present; scales small and imbedded; dorsal fin begin- ning at head, long, low, and continuous, free from caudal, some of the posterior rays spinous; anal fin similar to dorsal but shorter and continuous with caudal; pectoral fins broad; ventrals fins very small, jugular. A small genus of marine, viviparous fishes, inhabiting the northern part of the northern hemisphere; 1 American species. (Zoarces, viviparous.) 327. ZOARCES ANGUILLARIS (Peck). Eel-pout; Mutton-fish. Blennius anguillaris Peck, Memoirs American Academy of Sciences, ii, 1804, 46; New Hampshire. Zoarces anguillaris, Yarrow, 1877, 206; Fort Macon. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 371; Fort Macon (after Yarrow). Goode, 1884, 247; Fort Macon (after Yarrow). Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort (after Yarrow). Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2457, pl. cccxlviii, fig. 850. Fig. 173. Exrt-pout. Zoarces anguillaris. Diacnosis.—Depth .14 length; head .17 length; maxillary extending well behind eye; lower jaw included; eye small, about .5 length of snout; dorsal rays 95, xvi11,17, the first ray over ventrals, the longest rays less than .5 head, the posterior rays very short and spinous; anal rays about 105; pectorals broad, about .66 length of head; ventrals very small, their length less than snout. Color: reddish brown, with dark green mottlings on sides and back extending on dorsal fin; a dark stripe behind eye and another beloweye. (anguillaris, eel-like.) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 379 The claim of this fish to a place in the North Carolina fauna is based on 2 small specimens said to have been caught by Dr. Yarrow with hook and line from the wharf at Fort Macon in May, 1871. The species has been observed by no one else, and must be regarded as a rare straggler so far south, assuming there has been no error in identification. Jordan & Evermann (1898) give the range as extending from Labrador to Delaware. The eel-pout reaches a length of 3 feet and a weight of 7 pounds, and is a common fish in the northern part of its range, and is often caught incidentally by fishermen; although its flesh is of good flavor, it is rarely eaten. The young are brought forth alive. Family OPHIDIIDA. The Cusk-eels. Eel-shaped marine fishes with compressed body; large head; villiform teeth in jaws, usually in roof of mouth; protractile premaxillaries; wide gill-openings, the membranes attached to isthmus posterior to ventral fins; scales small, in oblique rows; pyloric cceca and air-bladder present; vent posterior; dorsal and anal fins destitute of spines, low, and confluent around tail; ventral fins jugular, consisting of a long, forked filament. Five or 6 American genera, only 1 repre- sented on the east coast of the United States. Genus RISSOLA Jordan & Evermann. Cusk-eels. Form moderately elongate; lower jaw included; jaw teeth villiform, vomer and palatine teeth blunt; vent posterior to pectorals; no spine on opercle; scales much as in the common eel (Anguilla), head naked; air-bladder short, broad, with a posterior foramen. One American species. (Named for Risso, a French ich- thyologist.) 328. RISSOLA MARGINATA (DeKay). Cusk-eel. Ophidium marginatum DeKay, New York Fauna, Fishes, 315, 1842; New York Harbor. Yarrow, 1877, 206; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 371; Beaufort (after Yarrow). Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Rissola marginata, Jordan & Evermann, 2489, pl. eccliii, fig. 868. Gudger, 1905b; Beaufort. Fig. 174. Cusx-rEx. Rissola marginata. Diagnosis (based on North Carolina specimen).—Depth .14 total length; head contained 5.3 times in length; mouth rather large, maxillary extending to or beyond posterior margin of orbit; snout .25 head; eye somewhat longer than snout; gill-rakers short, papillose, 2 on upper arm and 4 on lower arm of first arch; air-bladder tapering behind; dorsal fin beginning close behind head and about length of head anterior to anal; pectorals .75 length of head; longest ventrals ray .8 length of head and twice length of shorter. Color: back and sides golden yellow, darker above; belly milk white; a dark lateral stripe from gill-opening to end of tail; a dark stripe at base of dorsal fin; preopercle spotted; dorsal fin edged with white anteriorly, with black posteriorly; pectorals transparent, edged with white; ventrals white. (marginata, margined.) 380 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. A rather uncommon fish along the coast from New York to Texas. A single specimen, observed by Dr. Coues at Beaufort in 1871, remained the only North Carolina record until 1904, when Dr. E. W. Gudger obtained a specimen 4.5 inches long on a sandy shoal near the laboratory at Beaufort. Very little "has been published regarding the habits of Rissola or other members of the family, and Dr. Gudger’s observations on the behavior of this specimen cover practically all that is known:* On July 13, 1904, while walking on a sand spit, exposed at low water and lying northwest of the island on which is situated the laboratory of the United States Bureau of Fisheries at Beaufort, N. C., I noticed thrust out of the wet sand, a conically pointed head which instantly disappeared. Throwing myself down, I immediately began with my bare hands to dig the wet sand where I had seen the head. The animal went down tail first, and so rapidly that I began to despair of capturing it. Presently, however, when I had dug below water level, this little fish was brought out in a great double handful of sand. When taken into the laboratory and put into an aquarium of running salt water, after a few struggles it turned on its side and so remained, seemingly in considerable distress, being unable to maintain itself in the normal position by its delicate filament-like ventral fins which are inframandibular in position. I then filled a tall glass jar some eight inches deep with fine sand, introduced into it the little fish and placed it under a salt water jet. At first the fish lay quiescent on the sand, but when I returned some hours later, it had burrowed into and was never again seen on top of the sand. Frequently, however, the little fish could be seen with its body half outlined against the glass side of the aquarium. There could then be seen slow undulation of the long dorsal and anal fins together with slight bendings of the body, both motions beginning at the head and progressing towards the tail. Evidently by this means a current of water was maintained through the gill-chambers. On the surface of the sand, small conical half-filled depressions could be found. These seemed to have been formed by the fish either in burrowing into the sand or in drawing water over the gills. However, I did not notice any distinct currents through these depressions and can not positively say that they were excurrent and incurrent openings. Family GADIDA. The Cods. The fishes of this numerous and important family are found chiefly in cold waters, and support extensive fisheries in the north temperate and arctic regions. Body moderately or considerably elongated, mouth large, terminal, and well provided with small teeth in bands; chin with a barbel; gill-arches 4, gill-openings wide, gill-membranes usually free from isthmus; pseudobranchie absent; scales very small, cycloid; pyloric cceca numerous in most genera; air-bladder well developed; no spines in fins, dorsal fin long and either single or divided into 2 or 3 separate parts; anal fin long, and either single or double; caudal fin promi- nent, sometimes distinct, sometimes joined to dorsal and anal; ventral fins jugular and consisting of 1 to 8 rays. There are about 25 genera and several hundred species; the American members of the family include such well known fish as the cod, the pollock, the hake, the cusk, and the fresh-water ling. The family is only sparingly represented in North Carolina, although 1 of the species *Dr. Theodore Gill, in a note prefatory to Dr. Gudger’s, quotes a brief observation on this species by Professor Verrill, who ‘‘dug two specimens out of the sand near low-water mark, where they burrowed to the depth of a foot or more. When placed upon moist sand, they burrowed into it tail foremost with sur- prising rapidity, disappearing in an instant’. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 381 there found, the cod, is the most valuable of the entire family. The 2 following genera are in the local fauna: i. Dorsal fin divided into 3 separate parts; anal fin divided into 2 parts; ventral fins large, expanded, with 7 rayS......... sees cece eee eee eee teens GADUS. w%. Dorsal fin divided into 2 separate parts: anal fin long, undivided; ventral fins filamentous, with; 2) Taye ie i:3 enous as we tie iG Sen ete ens 2 PAP Rae (og ld aa Sy a Ges dole URopHycis. Genus GADUS Linnaeus. Cods. This genus contains the true cods, with moderately elongate body which is compressed posteriorly and tapers to the rather narrow peduncle; large head, contracted anteriorly; large mouth, with teeth on jaws and vomer; barbel on chin; pale lateral line; very small scales; large air-bladder; 3 dorsal fins, 2 anal fins, ventral fins with 7 rays. Important food fishes of northern waters; only 1 species on east coast of the United States. (Gadus, a Latin name, equivalent to the English word cod.) ; 329. GADUS CALLARIAS Linnezus. “Cod’’. Gadus callarias Linnezus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 252,1758; European seas. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2541 pl. ecelxi, fig. 891. Gadus morrhua, Goode, 1886, 202; south to Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Inlet. Diacnosis.—Greatest depth about .25 length; head large, its length about equal to depth; maxillary extending as far as pupil; jaw teeth sharp, in narrow bands; snout .33 length of head, eye small, .5 length of snout; scales minute; lateral line curved anteriorly, straight posteriorly; dorsal rays 14+21+419; height of first dorsal about .5 length of head; anal rays 20+18; caudal square or slightly concave; pectorals broad, .5 length of head; ventrals small, much shorter than pectorals. Color: variable; body yellowish, reddish, brownish, or greenish above, whitish below; back and sides with numerous round brown spots; lateral line always pale; fins plain. (callarias, an old name for the cod.) Fig. 175. Cop. Gadus callarias. This well known species, which supports very important fisheries in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the coasts and “banks” of America and Europe, in the United States is more valuable than any other single marine species, the annual catch being worth several millions of dollars. There is a special cod fishery in all the states from New Jersey northward, but the great bulk of the fishing is carried on from Maine and Massachusetts ports. 382 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. The cod goes in schools when feeding, spawning, or migrating. Although sometimes found in shoal water or even at the surface, it is essentially a deep- water fish, preferring depths of 20 to 70 fathoms and even occurring at a depth of 300 fathoms. The largest cod recorded from New England waters weighed 211 pounds and was more than 6 feet long. The average weight of the large run of fish caught on the New England shore is about 35 pounds, while on the far distant Grand Banks the average is only 20 pounds; the small run of fish on all the grounds is about 12 pounds. The cod eats almost any kind of animal food of proper size, and takes it anywhere between surface and bottom. Favorite articles are mollusks, crabs, lobsters, and various kinds of fish, especially herring, menhaden, alewives, mackerel, capelin, and lant. The spawning season on our coast extends from Octoberto June. The eggs float at the surface, are about .055 inch in diameter, and several millions may be laid by a full sized fish. Several hundred millions of cod are hatched each year by the United States Bureau of Fisheries at its stationsin Massachusetts and Maine. The eggs hatch in 20 to 23 days in water of a temperature of 38° F., and in 11 days at a temperature of 47° F. The young reach a length of 3 inches in 6 months, 9 to 12 inches in 18 months, 22 inches in 42 months. The cod is now known to occur regularly on the North Carolina coast north of Cape Hatteras. From inquiries made by the writer, it appears that for a number of years fishermen from New York and New Jersey, setting large-meshed nets in the ocean off Roanoke Island, have caught numbers of cod in fall, winter, and spring, some of the fish weighing 30 pounds. One fall 30 cod were taken at one lift of a blue-fish net off Nags Head. In April, 1904, when the writer was at Roanoke Island, numbers of cod were being caught, mostly in sturgeon nets, 1 fish being brought into Manteo on April 6. It is reported that cod are sometimes found on the Hatteras beaches after storms. According to Dr. Coker, there is a circumstantial account of the occasional capture of a cod in the lower part of Neuse River. Professor Goode (1884) states that ‘stragglers have been observed about Ocracoke Inlet’’. It is possible that a winter cod fishery of some importance might be estab- lished on the northern part of the coast of the state, either with lines or gill nets. The fish will be found in greatest abundance on the offshore shoals. Genus UROPHYCIS Gill. Hakes; Codlings. Form elongate, slightly compressed; head conical; mouth large, with broad bands of sharp teeth on jaws and vomer; maxillary extending beyond pupil; a small barbel on chin; gill-membranes partly connected, and- partly joined to isthmus; scales small; dorsal fins 2, the anterior sometimes with a few rays fila- mentous, the posterior long and low; anal fin single, similar to second dorsal; caudal fin small, the peduncle slender; ventral fins well separated, filamentous, bifid, composed of 2 slender rays. Seven species on east coast of America, some SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 383 of them ranging further south (Gulf of Mexico) than any other American gadids; several attaining large size and caught in immense numbers by New England fishermen. Two species known from the shores of North Carolina. It is possible that the white hake or squirrel hake (Urophycis tenwis) and the common hake (Urophycis chuss) may also occur on the northern part of the coast of the state; the former is said (Jordan & Evermann, 1898) to range as far as Cape Hatteras and the latter is found as far south as Virginia, but no examples of either have as yet been obtained in this state. i. Dorsal rays about 8+ 43; anal rays about 45; pectorals extending to anal origin; scales in lateral ‘series: about 90) scscevesgere saws eee see eens ow He bEee Peccictay ee: regius. ii. Dorsal rays about 10+62; anal rays about 53; pectorals not extending to vent; scales in lateral. series about 155....:......c05scecaee ners ces deee ren gee Redes yee Fase eae earlli. (Urophycis, tail Phycis, the last being an ancient Greek name for some fish living among the rockweed, Fucus.) 330. UROPHYOIS REGIUS (Walbaum). Codling; Hake. Blennius regius Walbaum, Artedi Genera Fiscium, iii, 186, 1792; after Schépf. Urophycis regius, Yarrow, 1877, 206; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2553, pl. ccclxiv, fig. 898; “‘south to Cape Fear’’. : Z Phycis regius, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 371; Beaufort. J ordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Fig. 176. Copiine. Urophycis regius. Diacnosis.—Form elongate, slightly compressed, depth .2 length; head a little less than .25 length; mouth large, posterior end of maxillary extending well beyond eye, lower jaw the shorter, sharp teeth on jaws and vomer; eye small, contained 4.5 times in length of head, less snout and equal to interorbital width; about 15 gill-rakers on first arch; scales in lateral series about 90; dorsal fin low, beginning over base of pectorals, anterior part with 8 rays, posterior part with 43 rays; anal fin arising nearer snout than base of caudal, the rays 40; caudal fin slightly convex behind; pectorals extending to origin of anal; ventrals inserted half-way between pectorals and anterior margin of eye, reaching as far as vent. Color (living specimens 6 inches long, Beaufort, April 11, 1904): Body gray, mottled with brown, belly glistening white; lateral line with 14 to 16 elongate spots connected by a thin black line; top of head with a pale diamond-shaped area; a dark band across nape and another behind each eye; first dorsal jet black, entirely surrounded by a narrow pure white margin except for a short space at base of black spot anteriorly, a pale yellow edge on anterior border of fin; second dorsal gray, with round dark spots; anal dusky; caudal dusky gray, with dark edge; pectorals dusky with white margin; ventrals glistening white; a few small black dots on side of head, 4 in a vertical series behind eye and 3 or 4 others irregularly placed. (regius, royal.) 384 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Found along our Atlantic coast, in shallow to moderately deep water, reach- ing its southern limit in South Carolina. It is a species of little economic value, as its maximum length is only a foot, while related species are much larger. One specimen of codling was taken at Beaufort by Dr. Coues in 1871. None of the subsequent collectors at. Beaufort up to 1886 met with the species, and they inserted it in their lists on second-hand information. In 1880 Col. Marshall McDonald collected the species at the mouth of Cape Fear River and in the same year Mr. R. Edward Earll obtained specimens in Middle Sound near Wilmington; these examples are in the National Museum (nos. 25294-5, 30333). In Beaufort Harbor the species is common at times; thus in April, 1904, almost every seine haul yielded specimens 5 to 6 inches long; and the fish is also found at other seasons. 331. UROPHYCIS EARLLI (Bean). “Dickie”; Tom-cod (8S. C.); Hake (S. C.); Earll’s Hake. Phycis earlli Bean, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, iii, 1880, 69; Charleston, S.C. Kendall & Smith, 1894, 21; Hatteras Inlet. Smith, 1893), pl. Ixxiv. Urophycis earlli, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2554, pl. eeclxv, fig. 900. Draenosis.—Depth .2 length; head about .25 length; maxillary long, .5 length of head, reaching to or beyond posterior margin of eye; teeth strong; lower jaw included; eye .17 length of head; gill-rakers short and blunt, about 10 on first arch; scales in lateral series about 155; dorsal fins separated by a rounded notch, the rays 10+60; anal rays 53, caudal rounded; pectorals .5 length of head, not reaching as far as vent; ventrals extending but slightly beyond pectorals. Color: brown, with small light blotches on back and sides; dorsal and anal fins edged with brown, second dorsal with light spots. (Named for Mr. R. Edward Earll, who, when assistant in the U. S. Fish Commission, collected the type specimen.) Fig. 177. Earuy’s Haxe; Dickie. Urophycis earlli. This hake, known only from the coast of North and South Carolina, is not uncommon in the Beaufort and Cape Lookout regions. It has been caught (in May, 1903) in a trap set at the laboratory wharf, and is also sometimes taken by local fishermen. On the adjacent outer shores the fish is common enough to have received a local name, “dickie”’, although it has no economic value as yet. On December 13, 1890, a party from the fisheries steamer Fish-Hawk landed at Hatteras Inlet and found in eel grass on the beach a living specimen 18 inches long, which is about the maximum length attained by the species. An example 17 inches long was collected at Cape Lookout in the winter of 1903-4 by Mr. 8. G. Worth. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 38 Suborder HETEROSOMATA.. The Flat-fishes. These fishes are remarkable for their bodily asymmetry, one side being much more highly developed than the other. They live almost exclusively on the bottom, and one side, which is applied to the bottom, usually lacks color, is flatter than the other, and has no eye. In their early stages, these fishes are bilaterally symmetrical and swim as other fishes do; but as they grow they swim more and more obliquely, and the eye on one side begins to move to the other side of the head, and before they have attained the length of an inch or two, they have permanently assumed a one-sided position, with both eyes on one side of the head. Two families, the flounders and the soles, may be recognized, distin- guished by the following characters: i. Mouth comparatively large, with teeth; eyes large, well separated; margin of preopercle more or less distinct, not concealed by skin............ PLEURONECTID&# (flounders). ti. Mouth very small, twisted, without teeth or with only rudimentary teeth; eyes very small, close together; margin of preopercle concealed by skin................ SOLEID# (soles). Family PLEURONECTID. The Flounders. A numerous family of important fishes, mostly marine, found chiefly on sandy bottom, and feeding on fish, crustacea, and other animals. Some species inhabit very deep water, some very shoal water, and others intermediate depths. All are edible and some of them rank among the most valuable of marine fishes in America, Europe, and Asia, chief among them being the halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. The body is much compressed, deep, and elliptical in shape; the head is twisted so as to accommo- date both eyes on one side; the premaxillary bones are protractile; the gill-arches are 4 in number, and pseudobranchie are present; there is no swim-bladder; the viscera are in the anterior part of the body, and the vent is close to the head; the scales are of various form, and usually small; the lateral line, rarely absent, extends on the caudal fin; the dorsal fin, composed only of soft rays, begins on the head and extends nearly to the caudal fin; the anal fin is similar but shorter; the caudal fin is sometimes continuous with dorsal and anal; the pectorals, rarely absent, are placed rather high on the side, and beneath them are the ventrals, one of which is sometimes lacking. The species are oviparous, the eggs being small and numerous. Of the 40 or more genera represented in American waters, 7 are. known from the North Carolina coast or on the adjacent ocean bottom. The flounders are of considerable economic importance in the state, and their value appears to be increasing. In 1889 only 48,200 pounds, worth $872, were sold by the fishermen; in 1897 the catch had risen to 173,975 pounds, valued at $3,199; while in 1902 (the last year for which statistics are available) there were taken for market 261,760 pounds, which brought the fishermen $5,256. Nearly the entire product comes from Beaufort, Carteret, Dare, Hyde, and Pamlico counties, and it is composed largely of several species of Paralich- thys. 386 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Key to the North Carolina genera of flounders. i. Ventral fins similar in position and shape. a. Mouth large, the two sides of the jaws about equally developed, the teeth the same on both sides; fishes sinistral (i. e., with eyes and color on left side). b. Scales ciliated; a distinct caudal peduncle; mouth large, some of anterior teeth canine; gill-rakers long and slender; anterior rays of dorsal fin not produced. PARALICHTHYS. bb. Scales ctenoid; caudal peduncle very short; mouth moderate, teeth small, none canine; gill-rakers short and broad; anterior rays of dorsal fin produced. . ANCYLOPSETTA. aa. Mouth rather small, the two sides of jaws not similar (the bones in the blind side being strongly curved, those on the eyed side nearly straight), the teeth mostly on the under side; fishes dextral (i. e., with eyes and color on right side.). . PSEUDOPLEURONECTEs. ii. Ventral fins dissimilar in position and shape, the fin on the eyed side being longer and extending along the edge of the abdomen; fishes sinistral. c. Teeth in upper jaw in 2 series, in lower jaw in 1 series, anterior teeth in upper jaw enlarged; interorbital space broad (in male)..................ee0.05. SYACIUM. cc. Teeth in both jaws uniserial; interorbital space very narrow. d. Lateral line with a well marked arch in front; anterior dorsal rays produced; teeth on vomer; anterior dorsal rays produced; interorbital space broad. ., LopHoPsETTA. dd. Lateral line without arch in front; anterior dorsal rays not produced; no teeth on vomer; interorbital space very narrow. . e. Mouth moderate, the maxillary more than .33 length of head. .CirHaricuTHys. ee. Mouth small, the maxillary less than .33 length of head .......... Erropus. Genus PARALICHTHYS Girard. Summer Flounders; Plaice. Fishes of moderate or rather large size, found on both coasts of America and also in Asia. Mouth large, oblique, with a single row of sharp, slender teeth in each jaw; gill-rakers slender; lateral line strongly arched anteriorly; scales ctenoid or ciliated; origin of dorsal fin in advance of eye; middle rays of caudal fin longest, the margin double concave. Of the 10 American species, the 3 fol- lowing are known from North Carolina, and probably 1 other (Paralichthys squamilentus) will eventually be found there: i. Gill-rakers long and slender, 20 to 25 in number, the longest .66 length of eye; dorsal rays about 90; anal rays about 70; body with large, ocellated dark spots........... dentatus. i. Gill-rakers shorter, 12 or 13 in number; body without ocellated spots. a. Dorsal rays about 90; anal rays about 70; color dark olive, mostly uniform. lethostigmus. aa. Dorsal rays about 75; anal rays about 60; color dark olive, with numerous pale spots. albiguttus. (Paralichthys, parallel fish.) 332. PARALICHTHYS DENTATUS (Linnzus). “Flounder”; ‘Mud Flounder’’; ‘‘Sand Flounder’’; Summer Flounder; Plaice. Pleuronectes dentatus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 1, 453, 1766. * Chenopsetta ocellaris, Yarrow, 1877, 206; Beaufort. Pseudorhombus ocellaris, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 370; Beaufort. Pseudorhombus dentatus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 370; Beaufort. 4 Paralichthys dentatus, Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2629, pl. ccclxxiii, fig. 922. Linton, 1905, 410; Beaufort. 7 Draenosis.—Body ovate, its depth .37 length; length of head contained 3.5 to 4 times in length; mouth large, oblique, the maxillary extending beyond eye, lower jaw projecting; anterior teeth in both jaws large, strong, and wide set, lateral teeth small and close set; eyes small, .15 length of head; interorbital space about width of eye in adult; scales small, cycloid; lateral line with about 100 tubes, the arch about .25 length of straight part; gill-rakers long and slender, 20 to 25 in number; fins scaly; dorsal fin low, the rays 85 to 93; anal rays 65 to 73. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 387 Color: above light olive, with many small white spots on body and vertical fins; sides with 12 to 15 large dark spots with white edges. (dentatus, toothed.) The summer flounder is the most valuable of the flat-fishes found along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Its range extends from Massachusetts to Florida, but it is most abundant northward, and is gradually replaced by Para- lichthys lethostigmus southward. The species is often found in shallow water, but is also caught in water as deep as 20 fathoms. It has the habit of ascending streams, and is often taken far from salt water. At Beaufort the fish is called “sand flounder” or “mud flounder” according to its color, although the fisher- men do not believe there is any real difference. Summer flounder and plaice are names employed to the northward; in the eighteenth century “plaice” was used in North and South Carolina, and is probably the best designation for the species. Fig. 178. Summer Fiounper; Puaicr. Paralichthys dentatus. Excepting the halibut, this is the largest of all our east coast flat-fishes. The maximum weight reaches, and may possibly exceed, 30 pounds, but the average is only 3 pounds, although fish weighing 7 to 10 pounds are not rare. The food comprises small fish, squid, crabs, shrimp, mollusks, sand-dollars, and other animals. While the fish usually takes its food on or near the bottom, it not infrequently pursues schools of small fish at the surface. At Beaufort this fish is found throughout the summer, but not abundantly, and is also occasionally taken in winter; it is most numerous and is taken in largest numbers in fall, when it is sometimes observed in schools. Some of the local fishermen say the flounders then ‘“‘school up to go away”. Dr. Coker con- tributes the following account of the flounder fishery at Beaufort: “Flounder-lighting”’ or “‘floundering” is much practiced on calm dark nights in summer and early fall. In the place of a mast in the skiff used for this purpose, there is a post, bearing an iron arm which may be rotated. The end of the arm bears a wire firebasket, in which a bright blaze is kindled, from ‘“‘lightwood”’ or pine-kots, etc. The ‘“flounderer’’ stands in the bow, and, as he or a companion poles the boat along the shores or around the marshes or shoals, takes the flounders with a gig or spear. A flounderer of long experience tells me that these 388 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. fish are usually found lying on the surface of the sand or mud, on the side of a ‘‘bed’’ which they make as a shallow basin on the bottom. Sometimes they are buried, but their position can be detected from the smooth area on the bottom with the outline of the flounder; the exposed eyes and head will then be seen. When the tide is falling, they are keeping off shore in deeper water, and are therefore less easy to find; but on the ‘‘young flood’’ they follow the water up on the shore, and are then most easy to see. On moonlight nights (still according to his account), flounders are very difficult to get, as they run away from the boat. By the same method, less the light, flounders are sometimes taken by day. Flounders taken in summer are chiefly retailed on the streets or in the markets. Most of the flounders shipped are taken in seines in fall. 333. PARALIOHTHYS LETHOSTIGMUS Jordan & Gilbert. “Flounder’’; Southern Flounder. Paralichthys lethostigmus Jordan & Gilbert, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1884, 237; Jacksonville, Fla. Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Smith, 1893a, 196,200; Edenton Bay, Roanoke River. Jordan & Ever- mann, 1898, 2630. Pseudorhombus dentatus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 370; Beaufort (in part). Pseudorhombus ocellaris, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 370; Beaufort (in part). Diaenosis.—Similar to Paralichthys dentatus, but with fewer gill-rakers (12 on first arch), with bend in lateral line .33 length of straight part, and of different color. Upper side dark olive, often without markings but usually with a few darker mottlings or spots. (lethos'igmus, with forgotten spots.) This species is quite similar to Paralichthys dentatus, and has been confused with it in the earlier lists of North Carolina fishes. It ranges as far worth as New York, but is most common from Chesapeake Bay to the Gulf coast. It is similar in size and habits to the summer flounder. Besides being common in the coastal salt waters of North Carolina, it regularly resorts to fresh waters, and is the only local flounder with that habit. The National Museum contains a speci- men collected at Avoca, on Albemarle Sound, in 1878, by J. W. Milner. The present writer, in April, 1891, found the species not uncommon in the western end of Albemarle Sound, where it was often caught in pound nets and seines with shad and alewives; it was also found to ascend the muddy Roanoke River some distance above Plymouth, where 1 example 2 feet long and another 8 inches long were collected. 334. PARALICHTHYS ALBIGUTTUS Jordan & Gilbert. “Flounder’’. Paralichthys albiguttus Jordan & Gilbert, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, 1878, 370; Pensacola. Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2631. Linton, 1905, 411; Beaufort. Pseudorhombus ocellaris, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 370; Beaufort (in part). Pseudorhombus dentatus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 370; Beaufort (in part). Draenosis.—Body elliptical, its depth contained 2.33 times in length; head contained 3.75 times in total length; mouth large, maxillary extending beyond eye; about 7 large teeth on side of lower jaw and 4 or 5 in front of upper jaw, side teeth minute; eyes small, .14 or -17 length of head; gill-rakers broad, toothed behind, 13 in number, the longest .4 as long as eye; arch of lateral line .33 length of straight part; scales cycloid, covered with skin bearing small flaps on many scales; fins low; dorsal rays 72 to 80; anal rays about 60; pectorals rather less than .5 length of head; ventrals .33 length of head; caudal margin double-concave. Color: SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 389 above dark olive mottled with numerous pale spots; 3 dark spots edged with white sometimes present on posterior part of lateral line, and 2 others on either side of anterior end of straight part of lateral line. (albiguttus, white-spotted.) This fish, which at Beaufort shares with other species of Paralichthys the name of “flounder”, is common on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It reaches a length of 1.5 feet or more, and is used for food, but no definite informa- tion about its economic value is at hand, as it is not distinguished from the related species. The fish is common at Beaufort, and numbers have been taken in summer in the laboratory seines at Bird Shoal and Cape Lookout. Specimens examined by Professor Linton in July and August had been feeding on fish, shrimp and other small crustaceans, mollusks, and worms. On April 23, 1904, the writer collected numerous 2-inch specimens on the beach at Fort Macon. Genus ANCYLOPSETTA Gill. Four-spotted Flounders. This genus is characterized by having a very broad, sinistral body, both sides of which are covered with strongly etenoid scales; very oblique mouth with uniserial jaw teeth; a very short caudal peduncle; short, broad gill-rakers, with rough teeth; an elongated left ventral fin; and dorsal fin with anterior rays pro- duced and directed forward. One species. (Ancylopsetta, hooked turbot.) 335. ANCYLOPSETTA QUADROCELLATA Gill. Four-spotted Flounder; Fluke. Ancylopsetia quadrocellata Gill, Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1864, 224; Pensacola. Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 93; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2634, pl. ecelxxv, fig. 925. Pseudorhombus quadrocellatus, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 370; Beaufort. Chenopsetia oblonga, Yarrow, 1877, 206; Beaufort. Diaenosis.—Body much compressed, very broad, ovoid, the depth .6 length; head .25 length; mouth small, maxillary extending to middle of orbit; teeth small, about 14 on each side of lower jaw; eye equal to snout and .2 head; gill-rakers very short, thick, 8 or 9 in number; | curve of lateral line strongly marked, about half length of straight part; scales in lateral series 70; dorsal rays 69 to 76, the fin arising in front of pupil, anterior rays long; anal rays 54 to 58; caudal short and rounded; ventral fin of left side as long as pectoral, .5 length of head. Color: brownish above, with 4 very large ocellated spots, consisting of a dark central mass, a narrow white margin, and a dark area externally; the dark spots often have small white centers; vertical fins reddish-brown, with a few small, round dark and white spots. (quadrocellata, four-spotied.) The four-spotted flounder occurs from North Carolina southward. In North Carolina waters it is apparently not common. Jordan & Gilbert collected 2 specimens in Beaufort Harbor, and Jenkins reported it as uncommon there. The laboratory contains a large specimen collected by Mr. S. G. Worth at Cape Lookout, March 12, 1904; it is 11.25 inches long over all or 9.25 inches to base of tail, and is the one on which the foregoing diagnosis is based. In smaller exam- ples (4 to 5 inches long), of which numbers have been collected in June and July in Beaufort Harbor and Bogue Sound, there are on the side many small ocelli, smaller than the eye, and numerous small black spots on head; the fins are mottled with black, and the first dorsal lobe may be quite black. The small 390 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. markings on the body disappear with age. There isin the National Museum one specimen collected by Mr. R. E. Earll in Middle Sound near Wilmington in 1880. Genus PSEUDOPLEURONECTES Bleeker. Winter Flounders. This genus, which contains 1 American species, is distinguished by firm, regularly placed, ctenoid scales on the eyed side; a single row of incisor teeth on under (right) side of each jaw; lateral line without arch; and scaly fin-rays. (Pseudopleuronectes, false Pleuronectes.) 836. PSP9EUDOPLEURONECTES AMERICANUS (Walbaum). Winter Flounder; Common Flat-fish. Pleuronectes americanus Walbaum, Artedi Genera Piscium, 113, 1792; New York. Pseudopleuronectes americanus, Yarrow, 1877, 205: Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 368; Beaufort (after Yarrow). Smith & Kendall, 1897, 173; Neuse River. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2647, pl. ceclxxix, fig. 933. Diagnosis.—Form elliptical, the depth contained 2.25 times in length; head .25 length; upper (right) side thickly covered with ctenoid scales, under side nearly naked; jaws unsymmet- rical, only the left side of each toothed; teeth close together and forming a continuous cutting edge; interorbital space .5 width of eye, convex, scaly; scales in lateral series about 83; dorsal rays 65, the longest shorter than pectoral fins; anal rays 48. Color: above dull brown, some- times obscurely spotted or mottled, sometimes nearly uniform; white below. The common flat-fish or winter flounder ranges from Labrador to Virginia, and occurs as a stragegler in North Carolina and Georgia. It is very abundant in southern New England, and is an important food fish from Chesapeake Bay northward, being caught with lines and nets. The maximum weight is under 5 pounds, and the average under 2 pounds. Yarrow reported the fish as rare at Beaufort; later collectors do not appear to have met with it. Some years ago the United States Bureau of Fisheries received from New Bern a specimen a foot in length that had been taken in Neuse River near that place. Genus SYACIUM Ranzani. In this genus the body is elliptical and sinistral, the mouth is moderate with curved gape, the interorbital space is very broad in the male and narrower in the female, the vomer has no teeth, the gill-rakers are short and thick, the lateral line is straight, the scales are ciliate, both pectoral fins are present, the dorsal fin is low and has no elevated anterior rays, and the caudal is short. Four American species, the range of 2 of which extends to the South Atlantic coast. (Syacium, a little pulse; a name of no obvious application.) 337. SYACIUM PAPILLOSUM (Linnezus). Pleuronectes papillosus Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 271, 1753° Brazil. Syacium papil/losum, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2571, pl. ceclxxxiii, fig. 941. Diaenosis.—Depth contained 2.33 times in length; head contained 3.66 times in length; mouth rather large, the maxillary extending to middle of eye; eye large, .25 length of head, lower eye in advance of upper; gill-rakers about 10, 8 below angle, the longest equal to pupil; scales 50 to 60; dorsal rays 80, fin beginning in advance of lower eye, the first rays arising on SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 391 blind side; anal rays 60 to 70, the fin arising slightly in advance of pectorals; caudal bitrun- eate; pectoral of eyed side with upper rays greatly elongated (in male); ventral of blind side slightly in advance of other, which is inserted on ridge of abdomen. Color: nearly uniform brown, with more or less obscure darker mottlings; blind side dusky; fins mottled, the pec- toral of left side barred. (papillosum, full of papille.) Fig. 179. Syacium papillosum. This species has been recorded from various places on the coast from Charles- ton to Rio Janeiro, but has not heretofore been reported from North Carolina. In the summer of 1902, the Fish-Hawk collected 1 specimen 3.5 inches long at Beaufort. The maximum length is a foot, but the average is much less. Genus LOPHOPSETTA Gill. Window-pane Flounders; Sand Flounders. Body broad, sinistral, much compressed, translucent, covered with smal! cycloid scales; mouth large; maxillary extending to pupil; gill-rakers long and numerous; lateral line with a marked arch anteriorly; dorsal fin beginning in front of eye, the anterior rays produced and branched; ventral fin of left side inserted on ridge of abdomen by a broad base. One species. (Lophopsetta, tufted turbot.) 338. LOPHOPSETTA MACULATA (Mitchill). “Flounder”; Sand Flounder; Spotted Sand Flounder; Window-pane Flounder. Pleuronectes maculatus Mitchill, Report Fishes of New York, 9, 1814; New York. Lophopsetta maculata, Yarrow, 1877, 205; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 371; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2660, pl. ecelxxxii, fig. 938.. Linton, 1905, 414; Beaufort. Bothus maculatus, Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Diacnosis.—Form rhomboidal, compressed, the greatest depth .66 length; head .28 length; mouth large, a bony tubercle on anterior end of maxillary of upper side, lower jaw with a knob at chin, teeth in each jaw in a single series laterally and in a band in front; eye .25 length of head; gill-rakers about 33; body and head scaly; maxillary, mandible, and snout naked; scales in lateral series about 85; dorsal rays 65, those of anterior third of fin branched at tips and produced, those at beginning of posterior third longest; anal rays 52; caudal fin rather slender, rounded. Color: light brown above, mottled with paler and with numerous small black spots; dorsal, caudal, and anal fins with dark brownspots. (maculata, spotted.) 392 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. This flounder is found coastwise from Maine to South Carolina. The names window-pane and daylight, by which it is sometimes known, have reference to the thinness of its body, so that light is transmitted through it. Although its flesh is well flavored, the fish has so little substance that it has no economic value. It is common in Beaufort Harbor on sand bars. Yarrow makes it the object of a torch fishery with spears, but his remarks apply to the flounders of the genus Fig. 180. Sanp FirounpEr. Lophopsetta maculata. Paralichthys, which are the only species of economic importance at Beaufort. Numerous specimens examined at Beaufort by Prof. Linton contained fish, crabs, and shrimp. ‘oP Genus CITHARICHTHYS Bleeker. Whiffs. Body oblong, sinistral, covered with thin, deciduous, ctenoid or cycloid scales; mouth with single series of teeth in each jaw; lateral line straight; dorsal fin beginning on or near snout, without produced anterior rays. Rather small flounders, chiefly found on sandy shores of tropical America; the 3 following species known from the North Carolina coast, 1 of them from offshore: i. Eye large, .25 head. a. Depth of body about .4 length; mouth very small, maxillary .28 head; color plain; deep- Water SPeClOSi sia wenis anand tas Hevea ae ys ae eae De Tae es ease Hee arctifrons. aa. Depth of body about .5 length; mouth larger, maxillary .4 head; side and fins dark- spotted; shoal-water species............ 000 c cece cece eee e eee e ee eees macrops. 2b. Wy e-eniadl :2UG DEA sa ans eave huiascaehastarv erence tne 4h PIAS Galatea at de Riad eee Suse s spilopterus. (Citharichthys, a fish that lies on its side.) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 393 339. CITHARICHTHYS AROTIFRONS Goode. Whiff Cithartichhys arctifrons Goode, Proceedings U.S. National Museum 1880, 341; Gulf Stream off New England. . Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2683. Dracnosis.—Body rather elongate, depth contained 2.66 to 2.5 times in length; head .25 length of body; mouth small, teeth small; eye .25 length of head; scales in lateral series 40, in transverse series 16; dorsal rays 68; anal rays 67; pectoral fin on eyed side twice length of other. Color: dirty light brown. Length, 6 inches. (arctifrons, contracted forehead.) This flounder is known from depths of 19 to 373 fathoms off the east coast of the United States. Three specimens were taken off Cape Lookout, by the Fish-Hawk (at stations 7323 and 7331) on August 26 and 27, 1902, at depths of 141 and 154 fathoms. 340, CITHARICHTHYS MACROPS Dresel. Whiff. Citharichthys macrops Dresel, Proceedings U. 8. National Museum 1884, 539; Pensacola. Jenkins, 1885, 11; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2684, pl. ceclxxxv, fig. 944. Diagnosis.—Body oval, depth .5 length; head .25 length; mouth oblique, curved, maxil- lary extending to middle of eye; teeth minute; eye .25 length of head; gill-rakers 19, .5 length of eye; scales large, about 40 in lateral series and 30 in transverse series; dorsal fin arising on blind side near tip of snout, dorsal rays 80; anal rays 56; caudal rounded. Color: light brown, with numerous rounded dark brown spots on body; dorsal, anal and caudal fins also spotted. Length, 5 inches. (macrops, large-eyed.) Fig. 181. Warr. Citharichthys macrops. This species of whiff is rather common on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It was first taken in North Carolina in 1885 by Dr. Jenkins, who ob- tained a few specimens in Beaufort Harbor. It is a small species, having no food value. - 394 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 341. OITHARIOHTHYS SPILOPTERUS Giinther. Whiff. Citharichthys spilopterus Giinther, Catalogue of Fishes in British Museum, iv, 421, 1862; New Orleans, San Domingo, and Jamaica. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2685. Diaenosis.—Depth of body a little less than .5 length; head .28 length; mouth large, jaws strongly curved, lower jaw slightly included, maxillary .4 length of head and extending to posterior border of lower eye; teeth small; snout short; eye small, about .16 length of head gill-rakers short and slender, one-third diameter of eye, the number on 2 arms of first arch; 4+12; scales cycloid, the number in lateral series 45 to 48; dorsal rays 75 to 80, the fin arising over anterior margin of eye, the longest rays .5 head; anal rays about 60, the fin arising a w little posterior to base of pectorals; pectorals about .5 length of head, the fin on blind side only slightly shorter than other. Color: translucent greenish-brown, with dark spots; a few dark blotches along bases of dorsal and anal fins. (spilopterus, spotted fin.) Ranges along the Atlantic coast from Brazil to New Jersey and is common southward, but has not heretofore been recorded from North Carolina. Numer- ous specimens, the largest 4.5 inches long, were caught with a trawl net, at a depth of 9 fathoms, 2 miles east of Beaufort Inlet, on Sept. 1, 1899. The maxi- mum length of the species is about 6 inches. Fig. 182. Errors. Etropus crossotus. Genus ETROPUS Jordan & Gilbert. Etropes. Small sinistral species with deep, ovoid body, covered with thin, deciduous, ctenoid scales above, naked below; mouth very small, with slender, sharp, close- set jaw teeth; no vomerine teeth; dorsal fin beginning over eye, ventral fins not joined to anal, the left ventral inserted on edge of abdomen; lateral line straight. Of the 3 species known from the Atlantic coast of the United States, the following is recorded from North Carolina. (Htropus, abdomen foot, in allusion to posi- tion of ventral fins.) SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 395 342. ETROPUS OROSSOTUS Jordan & Gilbert. Etrope. Etropus crossotus Jordan & Gilbert, Proceedings U. 8. National Museum 1881, 364; Mazatlan. Jenkins, 1885, 11; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887,92; Beaufort. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2689, pl. ceelxxxvi. fig. 946. Linton, 1905, 415; Beaufort. ? Etropus microstomus, Jenkins, 1885; Beaufort. Jordan, 1886, 29; Beaufort. ?Citharichthys microstomus, Jenkins, 1887, 92; Beaufort. Draanosis.—Dorsal and ventral outlines strongly arched anteriorly, depth contained 1.75 to 2 times in length; head small, contained 4.8 times in length; cleft of mouth less than diameter of eye; teeth in upper jaw on blind side, in lower jaw on both sides; eyes large, separated by a narrow ridge; opercle on under side edged with a row of white cilia; scales in lateral series about 45; dorsal rays 76 to 85, the middle rays longest, none produced; anal rays 56 to 67; caudal fin double truncate; left pectoral fin the longer, .75 length of head; ventral fin on right side the longer, .5 length of head. Color: olive brown with dark blotches; vertical fins mottled with black and gray; pectoral and ventral of left side spotted. (crossotus, fringed.) This species inhabits both coasts of tropical America, and on the eastern side ranges as far north as North Carolina, where, however, it is not common. Sev- eral examples were obtained in Beaufort’ Harbor by Dr. Jenkins in 1885. In 1902, 3 specimens were obtained for the laboratory in a trawl net at Cape Look- out. The length attained is 6 inches. Family SOLEIDA. The Soles. Comparatively small flat-fishes, found in warm and temperate waters in all parts of the world, some of them inhabiting deep water and others shoal water. The American species are of little economic value, but the European are very important, one of them, the English sole (Solea solea), being by many regarded as the most delicious salt-water fish. The body is either dextral or sinistral, elongate or rotund, scaly or naked; the mouth is very small, and twisted toward the eyed side; the teeth, in villiform bands, are either obsolete or very small; the eyes are very small and close together; the gill-openings are narrow; the pectoral fins are small or absent; the ventrals are small and one or both of them may be lacking. Of the 4 American genera, 2 are represented in the North Carolina fauna, as follows: i. Eyes on right side, separated by a bony ridge; body ovate; right ventral fin with a long base confluent with anal fin; scales on blind side of head fringed; lateral line present. = . ACHIRUS. vi. Eyes on left side, not separated by a bony ridge; body elongate; left ventral not connected with anal; scales on head not fringed; lateral line absent.............. SYMPHURUS. Genus ACHIRUS Lacépéde. Hog-chokers; American Soles. A numerous genus of small soles, chiefly American, with dextral, very much compressed and oval body, both sides covered with rough, ctenoid scales extend- ing on the fins; scales of nape and chin enlarged, those on blind side of head with their teeth elongated, forming cirri; straight lateral line; nostrils with flaps, the under nostril fringed; teeth only on blind side of jaws; dorsal fin beginning on snout, caudal peduncle short, pectoral fin of left side lacking, that of right side 396 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. small or rudimentary, ventral fin of right side joined to anal by a membrane. Of the dozen American. species, only 1 is found in North Carolina waters. (Achirus, without hands, that is, pectoral fins.) 8438. ACHIRUS FASCIATUS Lacépéde. “Flounder”; ‘‘Hog-choker”; Sole. Achirus fasciatus Lacépéde, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, iv, 659, 662, 1803; Charleston. Smith 1893a, 196; Edenton Bay. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2700, pl. ceclxxxvii, fig. 948; Neuse River, Beaufort, etc. Smith, 1901, 134; Lake Mattamuskeet. Achirus lineatus, Yarrow, 1877, 205; Beaufort. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 368; Beaufort, and Neuse River at Goldsboro. Achirus achirus mollis, Jordan, 1886, 30; Beaufort. Jenkins, 1887, 93; Beaufort. Dracnosis.—Body broad, the anterior and posterior curves similar, depth contained 1.75 times in length; head .28 length; mouth extending beyond front of lower eye, right lower lip fringed; upper eye anterior to lower, eye .14 length of head; nostril expanded into a wide tube; gill opening short; head and body covered with ctenoid scales; 66 to 75 in lateral series; lateral line straight; dorsal rays 50 to 55, the fin arising by short rays at tip of snout, rays of posterior third of fin longest; anal rays 37 to 46; caudal rounded; ventral rays 3 or 4. Color: above mottled dusky olive, with 7 or 8 dark, narrow, vertical stripes; every second or third membrane of vertical fins blackish; blind side usually white with numerous round, dark spots, sometimes without markings. (fasciatus, banded.) Fig. 183. Hoa-cHoxer. Achirus fasciatus. The hog-choker is found from Massachusetts to Texas, and is the best known of the American soles. It has the interesting habit of ascending streams, and in places is found permanently in fresh water. As it rarely exceeds 6 inches in length, it is of practically no food value, At Beaufort it is apparently rare, but in the lower courses of the North Car- olina rivers it is common. It 1s a regular but uncommon inhabitant of Neuse River as high up as Raleigh, is abundant in the western end of Albemarle Sound, SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 397 and occurs in Lake Mattamuskeet. Mr. W. P. Seal reports that in small tidal ditches near the Cape Fear River in the vicinity of Wilmington young hog- chokers are quite abundant in spring. The curious name of “hollybut” (local spelling, evidently a corruption of halibut) is applied to this fish in the vicinity of Swansboro and Bogue Inlet. The usual names used by the fishermen of the state are “hog-choker’”’ and “flounder’’. A specimen 5 inches long taken at Bird Shoal, Beaufort, July 23, 1904, is marked by 6 groups of narrow, vertical, dark lines, 2 or 3 lines in each group at the dorsal and ventral margins but only 1 line going entirely across body; under surface profusely marked with round dark brown spots of various sizes. Genus SYMPHURUS Rafinesque, - Tongue-fishes. Elongated soles, with sinistral body rounded anteriorly and pointed poste- riorly, covered with ctenoid scales, small eyes almost touching, small mouth twisted toward blind side, narrow gill-slits, gill-membranes joined above to shoulder girdle and united below, lateral line absent, pectoral fins lacking in adults, vertical fins confluent around tail, ventral fin of left side present and separate from anal. The species usually inhabit considerable depths, are of . small size, and nearly all are American. Only 1 inhabits the shore waters of the Atlantic coast. (Symphurus, grown to the tail, in allusion to the union of dor- sal and anal fins with the caudal.) 344, SYMPHURUS PLAGIUSA (Linnzus). “Sole”; Tongue-fish. Pleuronectes plagiusa Linnzeus, Systema Nature, ed. xii, 455, 1766; probably Charleston, S. C. Plagiusa plagiusa, Yarrow, 1877, 205; Beaufort. Aphoristia plagiusa, Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 368; Beaufort. Aphoristia fasciata, Jordan, 1886, 30; Beaufort. Aphorista plagiusa, Jenkins, 1887, 93; Beaufort. Symphurus plagiusa, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2710, pl. ecclxxxviii, fig. 950; Beaufort, ete. Linton, 1905, 415; Beaufort. Fig. 184. Toneuz-riso. Symphurus plagiusa. Dracwosts.—Body moderately elongate, dorsal and ventral outlines similar, depth .33 length; head .2 length; scales in lateral series 80; dorsal rays 86, anal rays 71, the longest rays .83 length of head; tail rounded. Color: gray or light brown; in some specimens about 10 398 - FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. broken broad black cross-bars on head and body, in others 6 to 8 complete cross-bars, and in others no bars but a series of well-separated black spots collected into bands; below creamy white, with pale yellow margin; fins obscurely but profusely mottled with black. (plagtusa, oblique.) Ranges from Cape Hatteras to Pensacola, and is common on sandy shores. In Beaufort Harbor it is abundant on shoals, and has been taken by all collectors, beginning with Professor Gill in 1860, whose specimen is in the National Museum. Yarrow’s statement, that this species will take the hook freely but is generally captured by spearing at night and is esteemed a valuable food fish, does not apply and was doubtless intended for Paralichthys. The foregoing diagnosis is based on specimens 5 inches long from the Beaufort region. Order PEDICULATI. The Pediculate Fishes. The position of these fishes is at the bottom of the class of fishes. A prom- inent feature, on which the ordinal name is based, is the excessive development of the carpal (wrist) bones, resulting in an elongation of the pectoral fins, which are used to support the body when the fish is resting on the bottom; this is well shown in the accompanying figures of the pediculate fishes. All the species are marine, and frequent the bottom. Of the 4 American families 3 are represented in North Carolina, each by a single species. Family LOPHIID. The Anglers. In these fishes the depressed body is relatively small and abruptly diminishes in size from the shoulders backward, while the head is greatly developed, very wide, depressed, with an enormous mouth; jaws with bands of sharp teeth of unequal size, similar teeth on vomer and palatines; gills 3, gill-opening large and in the lower axil of the pectorals,. gill-rakers absent; pseudobranchiz present; air-bladder and pyloric cceca present; skin scaleless, head and sides with con- spicuous flaps; dorsal fins 2, widely separated, the spinous part consisting of 3 separated tentacle-like spines on head and 3 smaller ones connected by a mem- brane; soft rays connected to form a single ordinary fin; anal similar to second dorsal; pectorals very large and fleshy; ventrals jugular, widely separated, the rays 1,5. Genus LOPHIUS Linnzus. Anglers. Size very large; mouth exceedingly wide and directed upward; lower jaw projecting; upper jaw protractile; dorsal spines overhanging the mouth and serving as lures for the prey; gill-openings below and behind the pectorals; verte- bre 27 to 32. (Lophius, the ancient name for the fish in Europe.) 345. LOPHIUS PISCATORIUS Linnzus.* “All-mouth’”; Angler; Goose-fish. Lophius piscatorius Linneus, Systema Nature, ed. x, i, 236, 1758; seas of Europe. Jordan & Gilbert, 1879, 365; Cape Lookout. Jenkins, 1887,93; Cape Lookout. Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2713, pl. ceelxxxviii, fig. 952; ‘‘southward along the shore to Cape Hatteras’’. *A very interesting account of this fish has recently been published by Dr. Theodore Gill, under the title, “The Life History of the Angler’, in Smithsonian Miscel!aneous Collections, vol. 47, 1905. SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 399 Dracnosis.—Head as wide as long, and longer than body; eyes small, separated by a space about equal to snout; head very spinous in young, becoming less s9 with age; skin smooth; the head surrounded by a fringe of short dermal flaps, similar flaps on sides of body; a 3-pointed humeral spine; dorsal rays 11+111+10, the anterior spine with an expanded tip; anal rays 9; caudal margin straight; pectorals rounded, their bases constricted. Color: above mottled brown, below white; caudal and pectorals black edged. (piscatorius, relating to an angler; in allusion to the bait-like dorsal spines.) The angler is found on both sides of the Atlantic, in rather shoal water. While passing most of its life on the bottom, it sometimes comes to surface and basks there. It attains a length of 4 feet. On the North Carolina coast it is well known to the fishermen under the expressive name of “all-mouth”’. It is very common at Cape Lookout, and is regarded as a great nuisance in the net fishing, for as many as 20 large specimens are sometimes found in a sink-net at one lift. No use is made of the fish here or elsewhere in the United States,. The angler is noted for its repulsive appearance and extreme voracity. By .means of its moving dorsal filaments it decoys small fish into the vicinity of its huge mouth. It also feeds on coots, ducks, and other sea birds, and one of its vernacular American names, “ goose-fish’’, has allusion to its food. Crabs and other invertebrates are eaten also. The eggs of the “all-mouth” are laid in summer and float near the surface, the batch from each fish being enclosed in a gelatinous substance, the mass form- ing a sheet or veil sometimes more than 30 feet long and 2 to 5 feet wide. The eggs are .08 inch in diameter, and more than 1,000,000 may be deposited by 1 fish. When the eggs hatch the young emerge from the mass of jelly, and pass a number of weeks at the surface of the sea. Family ANTENNARIID. The Frog-fishes. Small pelagic fishes of striking form and colors, usually living among floating seaweeds and becoming widely dispersed by winds and currents. Body and head compressed; mouth large, vertical or very oblique; premaxillaries pro- tractile, lower jaw projecting, jaw teeth in cardiform bands; gill-arches 2.5 or 3; gill-openings very small, near the lower axil of pectorals; pseudobranchie absent; pyloric cceca wanting; spinous dorsal fin represented by 1 to 3 detached, tentacular spines; soft dorsal long and high; the anal similar but smaller; pec- torals large; ventrals jugular, close together. Numerous species occur in all tropi- cal parts of the world; 15 to 20 American species belonging in 2 genera; several species besides the following occur as far north as Florida and may eventually be found in North Carolina. Genus PIEROPHRYNE Gill. Sargassum-fishes; Mouse-fishes. Exceedingly curious fishes of highly variegated coloration, found chiefly in the West Indies but distributed by the Gulf Stream and other currents on the coast of the United States, and accidentally to Africa and Europe. Body some- what compressed, abdomen protuberant; head large; mouth oblique, small but distensible; teeth on palate; gill-openings pore-like, in the lower part of axil; 400 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. skin and dorsal fins with flaps or appendages; 3 detached dorsal spines; pectoral base slender; ventrals long and expanded. Two known species. (Pterophyrne, wing toad.) © 346. PTEROPHRYNE HISTRIO (Linnzus). Mouse-fish ; Sargassum-fish. Lophius histrio Linnezus, Systema Nature, ed. x, 237, 1758. Pterophryne histrio, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2716, Gudger, 1905c, 841-843; Beaufort. Dragnosis.—Depth more than .5 total length; head about .5 length; eye small, .5 snout; dermal flaps numerous on abdomen and dorsal spines, but also on head and sides; dorsal formula 111+ 14, the spines large, the anterior spine bifurcate at tip; analrays 7; caudal rounded; pectoral rays 10; ventrals about .5 head, longer than pectorals. Color: yellow, with large irregular light and dark brown mottlings and small white spots; vertical fins barred with brown. (histrio, a harlequin.) : When masses of gulf-weed, or Sargassum, are blown ashore from the Gulf Stream, this species is often found under them, its colors in wonderful harmony with the seaweed. Numbers of specimens have thus been noted in Beaufort Harbor. The original habitat of the fish is the tropical Atlantic, but it has been involuntarily distributed along our east coast as far north as Woods Hole, Mass., where it is at times common in summer. The length of the adult fish is 3.5 to 6 inches. The habits of the species are known chiefly from its behavior in aquaria. The fish are cannibalistic, denuding their fellows of their fleshy appendages and fins and sometimes swallowing their smaller companions whole. Our knowledge of the spawning habits and eggs of the species depends almost entirely on observations at the government laboratories at Woods Hole and Beau- fort. The spawning season is from July to October, and a number of captive specimens have laid their curious egg-rafts while in aquaria. The eggs are deposited in a band- or ribbon-like mass from 1.5 to more than 3 feet long, about 3 inches wide, and .25 inch thick; they are only one-fortieth of an inch in diam- eter, and very numerous, and are held together by a transparent jelly which is buoyant. Nothing is known about the embryology, as the eggs have not been fertilized. On July 25, 1903, a fish 3.5 inches long which had been at the Beau- fort laboratory for 7 weeks laid a mass of eggs three times as large as the fish. This specimen and its eggs were studied and reported on by Prof. E. W. Gudger, of the State Normal College at Greensboro, North Carolina. Family OGCOCEPHALIDA. The Bat-fishes. In this family of pediculate fishes, the flattening of the head is carried even further than in the anglers (Lophiide); the trunk is relatively small and slender; the snout is more or less elevated; the teeth are in bands, and either villiform or cardiform; the gill-openings are minute slits above the base of the pectorals; the branchiostegals number 5, and no pseudobranchi# are present; the skin is cov- ered with small bony spines or tubercles; the spinous dorsal fin is represented by a tentacle under the elongated forehead; the soft dorsal and anal are very SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE OF FISHES. 401 small; the caudal and ventrals are well developed, the latter well separated; the pectorals are large and have a strong, elongated base. The species are rather numerous, and fall into about 8 genera; some are found in very deep water, others, mostly American, occur coastwise. Genus OGCOCEPHALUS Fisher. Bat-fishes. Very curiously shaped fishes, with broad, much flattened head and relatively small, tapering body; forehead elongated into a process which overhangs the small mouth; eyes large, lateral; bands of fine teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; skin covered with small, bony tubercles; number of gill-arches 2.5; air-bladder and pyloric cceca absent; dorsal and anal fins minute; pectorals large, horizontal, surmounting posterior angles of head; ventrals widely separated. Small, shoal- water fishes, inhabiting the West Indies, 2 species ranging as far north as our South Atlantic coast. (Ogcocephalus, hook-head.) 347. OGOOCEPHALUS VESPERTILIO (Linnzus). Bat-fish. Lphius ve spertilio Linnzus, Systema Nature, ed. x, i, 236, 1758; American Seas. Ogococephalus vespertilio, Jordan & Evermann, 1898, 2737, pl. ccexcii, figs. 958, 958a, 958d. Fig. 185. Bar-risH. Ogcocephalus vespertilio. Dorsal view. Draenosis.—Body much flattened, rather stout, the greatest depth .2 total length; head rouch wider than long, the length .5 total length; rostral process very long but of variable length; averaging .12 of head; mouth small, the maxillary extending beyond pupil; teeth in villiform bands; gill-slits very short, about diameter of pupil; skin thickly beset with bony tubercles; dorsal rays 4, the fin. inserted nearer to gill-openings than to base of caudal; anal rays 4; pectorals directed outward and backward, their posterior margin extending beyond dorsal fin; ventrals long, horizontal. Color: above grayish brown with black spots, below coppery; dorsal plain; anal with dusky margin; caudal and pectorals white with a broad black margin; ventrals white. (vespertilio, « bat.) . 402 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. This is a West Indian fish, not heretofore reported north of the Florida keys. An example 5.25 inches long now in the Beaufort laboratory was col- lected by the Fish-Hawk off Beaufort in 1902; in it the rostral process is very long, being contained 5.5 times in length of head; the eye is.4 length of this pro- cess; the length of dorsal fin equals diameter of eye; and the anal fin is twice length of dorsal, its origin being midway between origin of dorsal and base of caudal. The species reaches a length of 12 inches. Fig. 186. Bat-risH. Ogcocephalus vespertilio. Front view. GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING FISHES. Abdomen. The belly; that part of a fish between the pectoral and anal fins; the cavity con- taining the digestive and reproductive organs. : Actinosts. Small bones at base of pectoral fins, corresponding to wrist bones in man. Adipose. Fatty; a name applied to the small fin without rays on the back of trout, catfish, and various other fishes. : Adnate. Grown together; said of a fin which is attached to the body by one side as well as at the base. Air-bladder. A membranous sac filled with gases (oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide) lying along the backbone in or posterior to the abdominal cavity, corresponding to the lungs of higher animals and serving the purpose of lungs in some fishes; called also swim- bladder and sound. Anadromous. Running up; said of salt-water fishes which run up streams to spawn, as the shad, the alewives, the striped bass, etc. . ; Anal. Pertaining to the anus or vent; the unpaired or vertical fin on the median line behind the vent. Antrorse. Turned or bent forward; the opposite of retrorse. Anus. The posterior extremity of the intestine; the vent. Articulate. Jointed; said of the soft fin rays. Barbels. Slender fleshy projections about the mouth, as in the black drum’and catfishes, containing nerves for touch and taste. Branchie. The gills. Branchial. Pertaining to the gills. ’ Branchiostegals. Slender bony rays forming part of the lower posterior covering for the gills and supporting the branchiostegal membrane. Caducous. Falling off early or easily; said of teeth, scales, etc. Canine. Long conical teeth in the jaws of fishes. Cardiform. Coarse, sharp teeth in jaws of fishes. Carpus. The bones at the base of the pectoral fin, corresponding to the wrist in man. Catadromons: Running down; said of fishes which descend to the sea to spawn, as the common eel. Caudal. Pertaining to the tail; the fin at the posterior extremity of the body in fishes. Caudal peduncle. That part of the body of a fish between the dorsal (or anal) and caudal fins, usually the slenderest part of a fish. Cephalic. Pertaining to the head. Ciliated. Provided with hairs or hair-like projections. Cirri. Minute projections forming a fringe. Claspers. Organs attached to the ventral fins of male skates and sharks. Ceecal. Pertaining to the ccecum. Cecum. A blind tube or sac connected with the pylorus—the posterior part of the stomach. Compressed. Flattened from side to side. Ctenoid. Said of scales whose posterior edge is spinous or like the teeth of a comb. Cranial. Pertaining to the skull. Cranium. The skull. Cycloid. Said of scales which show concentric lines or striations. Deciduous. Falling off or out; said of teeth and scales that are shed or easily lost. Decurved. Curved downward. Dentate. Toothed; having tooth-like processes. Depressed. Flattened vertically. Depth. The vertical diameter. Distal. Farthest away from base or point of attachment. Dorsal. Relating to the back; the fin on the back. Emarginate. Slightly notched at the end, as the tail of a fish. Fauna. The totality of the animals of 4 given region. Filament. A thread-like projection. Filiform, Having a thread-like form. Fontanelle. An opening between the bones of the skull. Foramen. An opening or hole. Furcate. Forked. Fusiform. Spindle-shaped. 404 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Ganoid. A group of fishes characterized by having body more or less completely covered with bony plate-like scales; also said of the peculiar scales of such fishes. Gape. The opening of the mouth. Gills. The respiratory organs of fishes, performing the functions of the lungs of higher ani- mals; there are 2 to 4 on each side in ordinary fishes. Gill-arches. The bones supporting the gills and gill-rakers; usually consisting of a short upper arm and a long lower arm. Gill-membranes. The membranes covering the branchiostegal rays; the membranes of the two sides may be joined together across the isthmus (q. v.) or inserted on the isthmus. Gill-opening. The slit-like aperture leading to the gill-cavity. Gill-rakers. Bony processes of various shapes and sizes attached to the inner margin of the gill-arches. used in straining food from the water. Gonads. Sexual glands. Height. Vertical diameter. Hemal. The term applied (1) to the lowermost spine of the caudal vertebre in fishes; (2) to the arch for the passage of a blood vessel at the base of such a spine. Heterocercal. Term applied to the tails of fishes when vertically unequal, the backbone being deflected upward, as in the sharks. Homocercal. Term applied to the tails of fishes when equal, the backbone extending to the middle of caudal base, as in most of the common fishes. Imbricate. Overlapping; said of scales that overlap like shingles. Incisors. Cutting teeth, usually in front of jaws. Interorbital. Space between the orbits or eyes. Isthmus. The region between the lower part of the gill-openings. Jugular. Pertaining to the throat; said of ventral fins when attached to the throat, in advance of the pectorals. Keeled. Ridged; having a ridge or elevation, like the keel of a boat. Lamella. ewaeyll wade ee Hertiord yscce22 den pea ee vere es 146,000 73,000) 1,438 23,000 7,666 94 Hyde: savas ceted yout eae wend 16,500 8,250 VOD) sede eases oie foaaest Vad Sal aoa sees LOOM wee ssie $2 eaeeelae- yess aos 1,700 850 AAS Gesenet las duatsond id fs Sokad eetvane lie scones MARCI sis sec ee.5 x Suns ace a anes oe arian 103,000 51,500) 1,030 280,000 93,333) 1,120 New Hanover................ 4,780 2,390 D2 iacaha wed ewe e ey ae see PAMNICO swiss aieet deh ds xey ties aes 72,500 36,250 SOO hice er coiesteted fangs intestine | why stevens Pasquotank..............000. 202,200} 101,100) 1,702 88,000 29 334 515 Pender: s ween a eeadsounecs sas 4,000 2,000 DO ce vse ein vee |e hows ae | See eect Perquimans........... rh Baits 743,000} 371,500) 3,715 360,000} 120,000; 1,260 Pits side seals geste tes pha 2 aad 11,240 5,620 Dee os aveashivet |e Gard ete aes Sampson...............000005 17,620 8,810 NSA Sea tee Sha Gi [tudes do ele apeeal gs [onahion aes Dye 2.6.5 se eatacele diene esas 382,000} 141,000) 1,988 454,000} 151,334, 2,094 Washington...............0.. 428,000] 231,000) 1,861! 3,695,000) 1,231,667| 13,667 MoO bal pe weevetans wicca eae 7,839,464! 3,869,732} 46,206) 19,866,800) 6,622,268) 78,202 The blue-fish is taken in largest quantities in Dare and Carteret counties. Its economic value in the latter county and the peculiar methods of capture there adopted are thus described by Dr. Coker: The blue-fish is one of the most important fish of these waters. Its value varies accord- ing to size. Large and medium sell best, and as a rule are sent to the northern markets, while the small snappers bring little more than half the price of the other, per pound, and are used clféfly in the state trade. Formerly.quite abundant, blue-fish had become quite scarce, until within the past few years, when they again became plentiful. In 1903 they were taken in unprecedented quanti- ties. Out of several hundred thousand pounds of fish shipped from these points during October 12 to 17, inclusive (one dealer shipped 197,000 pounds and is considered to have handled half the product for that week), more than three-fourths were blue-fish. The shipment of fish dur- ing that week was the greatest ever made from these points. Blue-fish are taken by ‘‘ drifting” for them in the inlet, by ‘‘set nets’ on the outside, and, in less degree, by ‘footing them up” with drag nets and in purse seines. The ‘‘drifting” is COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. 411 employed chiefly in fishing for blue-fish and, less often, gray trout. The hauling net is put over and boat and net drift with the tide until the fish strike and are meshed, The shoals in Beaufort Inlet offer a favorable place for this plan of fishing. A variation of this is the “drop-net”’ method; the net is dropped overboard when fish are detected and the fish are then frightened into it. Seines of different mesh may be in readiness to be used according to the size of the fish expected. Two nets may be used in ‘‘setting,’”’ one running out perpendicu- larly to the beach, the other making a loop or sort of pound at the otherend. The fish swim- ming parallel to the beach strike the ‘‘leader”, where some are meshed, while others turn out, going into the “‘pound”, where most of them are meshed. ‘‘Footing them up” is the method commonly used inside with all fish except mullet, where it is not practicable to land them. The school or scattered fish are first surrounded with the seine (drag net), one man overboard holding the staff at one end of the seine while the other rows the skiff, “‘shooting the net” around the region to be dragged; when the circle is complete one staff is stuck into the ground, and the other placed in the skiff; the seine is then gradually pulled in and, if the haul seems to be light, arranged on the stern; but if. there is a good catch, the seine is put in over the side of the boat and is afterwards cleared and placed on the stern ready for a new haul. In pulling in the seine one man handles the cork line, the other, standing opposite, the lead line, pulling it under the ball of his foot, which he uses to hold the line to the bottom and, if it comes hard, to paw, or “‘foot’’, the line to him. A purse seine may be 700 or 800 meshes deep and 100 or more fathoms long, with mesh of .75 to linch bar. A purse line passes through rings at the bottom. Such a seine is usually worked by two ‘‘purse boats”, each with a crew of 6 to 10 men, the whole pertaining to a two-mast schooner or schooner-r.gged sharpie. The purse boats are heavy double-ended row boats 25 feet long or longer, and 7 or more feet in width. OTHER ECONOMIC WATER ANIMALS. Besides the fishes, the only water animals of noteworthy importance are oysters and quahogs, or round clams. The value of the oysters exceeds that of any fish except the shad, and within a comparatively few years oysters may become the leading fishery product as a result of cultivation and conservative methods. Oystering is conducted in 12 counties, but is of greatest extent in Beaufort, Carteret, Dare, Hyde and Onslow counties. The output in 1902 was 1,022,813 bushels, which sold for $268,363. Quahogs are taken for market in 7 counties, the largest quantities being obtained in Brunswick and Carteret. In 1902 the total yield was nearly 147,000 bushels, which brought $86,662. The increase in the output of this species in the past 15 years has been marked. The only other mollusks now taken for sale are scallops; small quantities are gathered in Carteret County, the product in 1902 being valued at $980. Among crustaceans the common blue crab is the only species of importance. It is taken chiefly in Carteret County, and almost the entire catch is sold in the soft-shell stage. The value of this fishery in 1902 was $14,653, a sum that could be largely increased if the fishery were more actively prosecuted. * Limiged’ quantities of shrimp are caught in New Hanover and Pender counties, the yield being 84,160 pounds, valued at $2,700. The reptilian-resources of North Carolina comprise alligators, green and other sea turtles, diamond-back and other terrapins, and frogs. At the present time alligators do not exist in sufficient numbers to be regularly sought, and they have ceased to figure in tlie commercial fisheries. The diamond-back terrapin is taken mostly about Roanoke Island, but the catch of it and of other 412 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. terrapins and turtles is comparatively small, being valued at only $11,630 in 1902. Frogs are hunted to a limited extent in Pasquotank and Camden counties, where about 1,000 dozen, worth $600, were obtained in 1902. FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY. The recent trend of the North Carolina fisheries has not been altogether satisfactory, and the condition of the industry demands the thoughtful consider- ation of fishermen and lawmakers. The state has shown itself ready to enact restrictive legislation, even when it has been apparent that some hard- ship would result to fishermen of certain localities; and there is every reason to believe that additional legislation will be provided when its necessity has been fully appreciated. Protective measures addressed to diminishing fishes must be radical if they are to accomplish any real benefit, and must necessarily be modified from time to time as their effects and defects become apparent. An acquaintance with the fisheries of North Carolina extending over more than 20 years justifies the author in expressing the following outline views regarding the future of the industry: 1. The fisheries may be expected to deteriorate— (a) Through failure of the state to provide prompt and adequate protection to those fishes which begin to show a decrease in abundance. The history of the sturgeon is an unmistakable indication of what will eventually hap- pen to the shad, alewives, striped bass, and other species unless ample pro- vision is made for the survival of a sufficient percentage of the annual run until spawning has ensued. (b) Because of unnecessarily wasteful methods, such as the capture of larger quantities of food fishes than can be utilized or disposed of to advan- tage and the useless destruction of large numbers of fishes of no present market value but of prospective importance. (c) Owing to careless methods of packing and preserving the catch, and to failure to keep abreast of the progress of the times in matters affecting the shipment and sale of fish. 2. The fisheries are not only capable of maintenance for an indefinite period but are undoubtedly susceptible of great improvement— (a) Through recognition and avoidance of the foregoing causes of decline. (6) Through the utilization of resources now only imperfectly made use of or entirely neglected. ; (c) Through the development of new fishing grounds or more thorough exploitation of old grounds. This applies particularly to the offshore line and net fisheries, on the submerged banks and in the surface waters. (d) Through increased shipping facilities along the shores, and through the increased use of motor vessels in the inshore and offshore fisheries. (e) Through the increase in the abundance of fish and other economic creatures as a result of cultivation on the part of the government, the state. and private individuals. CULTIVATION AND ACCLIMATIZATION OF FISHES IN NORTH CAROLINA.* IMPORTANCE OF SUCH WORK. In many states the artificial propagation of food and game fishes is regarded as a coordinate, if not as potent, a factor in the maintenance of the supply as restrictive legislation; and cultivation and protection are therefore often jointly carried on. The number of states in which no fish-cultural operations are con- ducted is rapidly becoming smaller, and it is only a matter of a few years when every state and territory will have its own fish hatcheries for the replenishing of purely local waters, leaving the general government to devote its energies chiefly to the cultivation of the migratory- and coastal fishes. In general, there are no public expenditures that will insure more certain and more immediate returns than those devoted to intelligent and systematic fish-culture; while the private owners of ponds, lakes, and small streams will find that aquiculture is as profitable as agriculture and at the same time yields such a variety in diet and such opportunity for recreation that every one who has the facilities should engage in it. The supply of food and game fishes of many states has been greatly increased by the introduction of nonindigenous species by the federal government, the state authorities, and private persons; but in North Carolina only a limited amount of such work has been attempted. The demand and the necessity for introducing foreign fishes in-this state are comparatively slight, and efforts to improve the fish supply have been and can continue to be directed into more important channels. Although North Carolina was one of the first states to take up the artificial propagation of fishes, it soon abandoned all work of the kind; and for many years the demands for fish culture in the state have been metas far as practicable by the federal government. -It would appear to be incumbent on the state to establish and maintain a number of small and comparatively inexpensive hatcheries, in the most favorable situations, for the special purpose (1) of pro- viding brood stocks of fish for private ponds and streams, so that the cultivation of food and game fishes by individuals may be encouraged and facilitated, and (2) of keeping public waters replenished with various desirable fishes, including those which may serve to attract anglers from outside the state. Among the species that might advantageously be cultivated are brook trout, rainbow trout, * For much of the historical and other matter in this chapter, the author is indebted to Mr. 8. G. Worth. 414 j FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. small-mouth black bass, and spotted cat-fish for the mountainous regions, and large mouth black bass, strawberry bass, and various sun-fishes for the lowland waters. EARLY FISH-CULTURAL WORK. Prior to the inception of fish culture under state auspices the federal govern- ment has conducted some interesting initial and experimental work in local waters, and had employed therein several prominent fish culturists. Thus in 1873, under the direction of U. 8. Fish Commissioner Baird, about 45,000 shad were hatched at New Bern, and 100,000 striped bass at Weldon, and these were planted in local waters. In 1875 shad hatching was attempted at New Bern by Mr. J. W. Milner on behalf of the general government, but no noteworthy results were obtained. In 1877 the state began fish-cultural operations on its own account, in com- pliance with an act of the legislature requiring the board of agriculture “at once to provide for stocking all available waters of the state with the most approved breeds of fishes.” In May of that year, Mr. Frank N. Clark, of Northville, Michigan, was engaged through Professor Baird to superintend shad hatching on the Neuse, and the work was conducted at several points above New Bern, but with little success owing to unfavorable seasonal conditions. The most important feature of these operations was the employment of a number of local volunteer assistants who were desirous of learning the methods and principles of fish culture; among these was Mr. 8. G. Worth, who a few years later became the first superintendent of fisheries. In the fall of the same year a trout and salmon hatchery was constructed at Swannanoa Gap by Mr. W. F. Page, assisted by Mr. Worth, who later enlarged and improved the hatchery; and the incuba- tion of brook trout eggs and California salmon eggs was begun shortly thereafter. The shad hatching in 1878 was noteworthy because conducted jointly by Mr. Milner representing the U. 8. Fish Commission, Colonel Marshall McDonald representing Virginia, Major T. B. Ferguson representing. Maryland, and Colonel L. L. Polk, commissioner of agriculture for North Carolina. The site of the operations was Salmon Creek at the head of Albemarle Sound, and the season was the most successful up to that time, a number of million fry being pro- duced. In 1879 a second hatchery was built by the state at Morganton, and during the next three years salmon, trout, and carp were hatched and distrib- uted, the station being abandoned in 1882. « Shad hatching was continued by the United States government in 1879 at the mouth of Chowan River, the steamer Lookout being employed in the work. In 1880 the state constructed a shad hatchery at Avoca and utilized the eggs furnished by the Capehart seine fisheries at Sutton Beach and Scotch Hall, the operations proving quite successful. It was in 1881 that the steamer Fish-Hawk was first detailed for the same work, with headquarters at Avoca, and from that time down to a comparatively recent date that vessel was engaged in shad hatching in Albemarle Sound nearly every season. The state con- N. C. GEOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEY PLATE 21 SHAD HATCHERY OF THE U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES ON PEMBROKE CREEK NEAR EDENTON. INTERIOR OF SHAD HATCHERY, SHOWING AUTOMATIC HATCHING JARS. FISH CULTURE AND ACCLIMATIZATION. A415 tinued to operate the hatchery at Avoca until 1884, and in 1882 adopted the McDonald hatching jar, being the first state to employ this most important device. From 1879 to 1884 the state superintendent of fisheries, Mr. Worth, carried on experimental work in the hatching of the striped bass on Roanoke River near Weldon, and in the last year named, being financially aided by the United States Commissioner of Fisheries, took over 4 million eggs. Thus was laid the foundation for the striped bass work taken up later by Mr. Worth as a superintendent of the Bureau of Fisheries. In 1885 the state discontinued all fish-cultural work, and since that time the responsibility for maintaining the local fish supply by artificial pcpeesicn has devolved on the general government. INTRODUCTION OF NONINDIGENOUS FISHES. The carp supplied to North Carolina applicants by the U. 8. Bureau of Fisheries in 1879 met with such a cordial reception that there was developed an extraordinary demand for this species, and in 1882 the state fishery authorities were obliged to construct ponds near Raleigh in which to conduct breeding operations. The general government continued to send carp to the state, and in 1883 the product of the local hatching ponds began to be available. In 1885 it was reported that at least 2,000 special carp ponds had been built in North Carolina, and that 92 out of the 96 counties in the state had received carp. Through the overflowing or breaking of the banks of ponds, the carp escaped and gradually became firmly established in the rivers and other open waters, and has now taken its place as one of the best known and most widely distributed of the food fishes of the state. The history of carp culture in North Carolina has been quite similar to that in various other states. The fish was planted in unsuitable waters or received improper attention; and more was expected of it than was ever claimed by those who advocated its introduction into American waters. The natural result was disappointment, loss of interest, and gradual abandonment of the enterprise by individuals. The carp, however, is suitable to-day, just as it was when its planting was first undertaken, for the stocking of warm, shallow waters of limited area in which no other fish or no better fish will survive or flourish. The introduction of the rainbow or California trout (Salmo irideus) was begun in 1880 and has been continued until the present time, the plants of young fish by the federal government now numbering many thousands each year. The fish has become widely distributed and firmly established, and is one of the most attractive species in the mountainous sections of the state. The introduction of a number of other fishes into the waters of North Caro- lina has been attempted from time to time, among these being various kinds of salmon. The early attempts to establish salmons were perhaps justifiable in 416 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. view of the lack of knowledge of the requirements of those fishes, but they are now known to have been entirely useless expenditures of time and money. Beginning in 1877 and continuing for four years, the federal fishery bureau donated eggs of the quinnat salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) to the state authorities. The eggs were incubated at the Swannanoa and Morganton hatcheries, and 748,000 young were planted in the headwaters of the French Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin rivers. In 1883 it was reported that no apparent results had attended this work, and further efforts in this line were abandoned. In 1881 the state received from the federal government 20,000 eggs of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), which were hatched at Morganton with-an approximate loss of 25 per cent, and the resulting fry were deposited in the mountain streams the same year. As the natural habitat of this salmon includes no streams south of New York, the waters of North Carolina were manifestly unsuited for the species and the attempt was almost necessarily a failure, not so much because the mountain streams are not congenial as because of the high Fig. 188. Rarnsow Trout. Salmo irideus. temperature and muddy character of the rivers in the Piedmont and coastal plain regions through which the salmon would have to pass while going to and from their spawning grounds A salmon from the planting of which results were much more likely is the landlocked salmon (Salmo sebago) of Maine, which inhabits lakes and streams, and has lost the migratory instinct. Two lots of eggs were donated to North Carolina by Professor Baird, and the fry hatched therefrom, to the number of 28,300, were planted in 1878 and 1881 in the Dan, Linville, Mayo and Johns rivers, in various creeks in McDowell and Burke counties, and in numerous ponds near Charlotte, Greensboro, Morganton, Salisbury, and other places. No results from these plants were ever noted. Probably the only waters in North Carolina in which it is reasonable to expect a satisfactory outcome from the planting of landlocked salmon are the artificial lakes on the property of the Toxaway Company in Transylvania County; and the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries has recently planted fry in one of these lakes. FISH CULTURE AND ACCLIMATIZATION 417 RECENT FISH-CULTURAL WORK. The U. 8. Bureau of Fisheries, in pursuance of its policy of aiding the states in maintaining their fish supply, has devoted much attention to North Caro- lina. Large numbers of native fishes from outside hatcheries have been planted in the state, -among these being the brook trout, the large-mouth and small- mouth black basses, the strawberry bass, various sun-fishes, and several kinds of cat-fishes. The most important work of the general government, however, has been addressed to the shad and the striped bass, and has been conducted in local hatcheries. For many years the steamer Fish-Hawk was sent to the state each spring for the purpose of hatching shad, the site of the vessel’s operations being the western end of Albemarle Sound. This vessel is in reality a floating hatchery, and the main deck can be so arranged as to accommodate a large number of shad eggs. Many millions of young fish, hatched from eggs that would other- wise have been sent to market, were thus deposited in local waters; and the work of the Fish-Hawk must be regarded as one of the most beneficent agencies that have been employed in the interest of the North Carolina fisheries. Necessity for further operations by the Fish-Hawk was largely reduced by the construction in 1900 of a permanent government shad hatchery at the head of Albemarle Sound, on Pembroke Creek, near Edenton. This modern plant, located in the vicinity of the principal spawning grounds in the state, should be able to liberate each spring such an immense number of young shad that the perpetuity of the run would be insured; but its operations have been greatly restricted by the scarcity of spawning fish, and the full measure of its useful- ness has never been accomplished. The serious menace to the shad fishery that this condition indicates has been pointed out to the state, and it is hoped that the restrictive legislation shown to be necessary will accomplish the desired end without resort to more radical measures. The favorable opportunity for cultivating the striped bass afforded by the large run of this fish in the Roanoke has induced the U. 8S. Bureau of Fisheries to establish temporary hatching stations near Weldon. The work has been conducted for several years under the direction of Superintendent S. G. Worth, and several million of young fish have heen hatched and released in the river each season. Further work that may be undertaken by the government is the artificial propagation of the sea mullet, spotted squeteague, and other valuable salt- water species. Inquiries extending over a number of seasons have failed to disclose the exact spawning grounds of the mullet, and the artificial hatching of this fish has not yet been accomplished, although it is believed that this and other fish-cultural problems will be experimentally solved at the Beaufort laboratory. BIBLIOGRAPHY. Following is a list of the principal published articles relating to the fishes and fisheries of North Carolina. The arrangement is primarily by authors and secondarily by date of publication. Many of the ichthyological papers have been cited in abbreviated reference (author and date) in the synonymy of the various species of fish (“Systematic Catalogue”, pages 25 to 402). AsuH, THOMAS. : 1682. Carolina; or a description of the present state of that country [etc.]. Published by T. A., gent. London, 1682. Among the fishes mentioned are sturgeon, mullets, salmon, trouts, bass, drum, cat-fish, plaice, and eels. Bran, Barron A. 1903. Notice of a collection of fishes made by H. H. Brimley in Cane River and Bollings Creek, North Carolina, with a description of a new species of Notropis (N. brimley?). Proceedings U.S. National Museum, vol. xxvi, p. 913-914. Buwan, TarLeton H. 1885. On the occurrence of Hadropterus aurantiacus (Cope) in the French Broad River, N.C. Proceedings U.S. National Museum, vol. viii, 1885, p. 160-166. 1880. Description of a new hake (Phycis earlliz) from South Carolina, and a note on the occurrence of Phycis regius in North Carolina. Proceedings U.S. National Museum, vol. ili, 1880, p. 69. BrIcKELL, JOHN. 1737. The natural history of North Carolina. With an account of the trade, manners, and customs of the Christian and Indian inhabitants. Illustrated with copper plates, whereon are curiously engraved the map of the country, several strange beasts, insects, trees, and plants, ete. Dublin, 1737. The work contains numerous references to fishes, and many plates, but has little merit, the best portions being freely plagiarized from Lawson’s volume pub- lished 28 years before. Coss, Joun N. 1906. Investigations relative to the shad fisheries of North Carolina. Economic Paper no. 12, North Carolina Geological Survey, 39 p., 11 maps. Raleigh. A very valuable paper, showing condition of the shad fishery in each water in 1906 and location of apparatus used in catching shad. Corr, Epwarp DrinKER. 1868. On the distribution of freshwater fishes in the Allegheny region of southwestern Virginia. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vi, _ 2d ser., art. v, p. 207-247. 1869. Synopsis of the Cyprinide of Pennsylvania. Transactions of the American Philo- sophical Society, Philadelphia, vol. xiii, n. s., art. xili, p. 351-399, pl. x-xiii. (Read Oct. 19, 1866.) 1870a. On some etheostomine perch from Tennessee and North Carolina. Proceedings 7 American Philosophical Society, vol. xi, 1870, p. 261-270. Describes as new from North Carolina the darters Etheostoma nevisense, Pacilich- thys vitreus, P. vulneratus, P. rufilineatus, and Boleosoma maculaticeps. 1870b. A partial synopsis of the fishes of the fresh waters of North Carolina. Proceed- ings American Philosophical Society, vol. xi, 1870, p. 448-495. This is the most important contribution to the literature of the fresh-water fishes of North Carolina. It is based chiefly on collections made by Cope in 1869 in the Tennessee, Cumberland, Catawba, Yadkin, and Neuse basins, and contains descrip- tions of many new species. A second edition, with special cover, preface, and addendum, was privately printed from the same plates in March, 1877. 420 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Coxz, FRANK. 1884. Opening the Broad and other rivers of North Carolina to shad, bass, ete. Bul. letin U. 8. Fish Commission, vol. iv, 1884, p. 232. Ear.u, R. Epwarp. 1887. North Carolina and its fisheries, in The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States, section ii, A geographical review of the fishing industries and fishing communities for the year 1880, p. 475-497. EverMAann, Barton WARREN, AND Cox, Uxyssss O. ' 1896. The fishes of the Neuse River basin. Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, vol. xv, 1895, p. 303-310. An annotated list of all the fishes recorded from the Neuse, with a review of the papers on the fishes of this stream. The basis of the report was a collection from the vicinity of Raleigh made by Messrs. Brimley. GILL, THEODORE. 1903. The devilfish and some other fishes in North Carolina. Forest and Stream, vol. ix, May 30, 1903, p. 431. : Refers to Elliott’s “Sports of the Carolinas” and Brickell’s ‘The Natural History of North Carolina”, and notes the names ‘‘sea tench”’, “‘Welshman”’, and “ Irish- man”’ applied to fishes in the latter work. 1905. Note on the habits of an ophidiid (cuskeel). Science, n. s., vol. xxii, Sept. 15, 1905, p. 342. An introduction to Gudger’s article on the same subject. GIRARD, CHARLES. 1856. Researches upon the cyprinoid fishes inhabiting the fresh waters of the United States of America west of the Mississippi Valley, from specimens in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. viii, 1856, p. 165-213. Gooveg, Grorce Brown, and associates. 1884. Natural history of useful aquatic animals. The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States, section i; vol. i, text, p. 1-895, vol-ii, plates. Washington. GupceEr, Eucene WILLIs. 1905a. The breeding habits and segmentation of the egg of the pipefish, Siphostoma floride. Proceedings U.S. National Museum, vol. xxix, p. 447-500, pl. v—xi. aoe on studies made and material collected at Beaufort, N. C., in 1902, 1903, and 1904. 1905b. A note on the habits of Rissola marginata. Science, n. s., vol. xxii, Sept. 15, 1905, p. 342-343. 1905c. A note on the eggs and egg-laying of Pterophryne histrio, the gulfweed fish. Sci- ence, n.s., vol. xxii, Dec. 22, 1905, p. 841-843. Observations on spawning of the sargassum-fish in Beaufort laboratory in 1903. Horsroox, Joun Epwarps. 1855. J tatiyelogy of South Carolina. Second edition 1860, 205 p., 28 pl. Charleston, JENKINS, OLIVER P. 1885. Notes on the fishes of Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina. Johns Hopkins Univer- x. sity Circular, October, 1885, p. 11. Lists 20 species “that do not occur in either of the lists referred to”’ (i. e., Yar- row’s and Jordan & CGilbert’s; but as a matter of fact several of them had already been recorded. 1887. A list of the fishes of Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina. Studies from the Bio- logical Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, vol. iv, p. 83-94, 1887. Jorpan, Davin Srarr. 1878. A synopsis of the family Catostomide. Bulletin U. S. National Museum, no. 12, p. 97-237. 1886. Notes on fishes collected at Beaufort, North Carolina, with a revised list of the species known from that locality. Proceedings U. 8S. National Museum, vol. ix, 1886, p. 25-30. 1889a. Description of fourteen species of fresh-water fishes collected by the U.S. Fish Commission in the summer of 1888. Proceedings U.S. National Museum, vol. xi, 1888, p. 351-362, 3 pl. 1889b. Report of explorations made during 1888 in the Allegheny region of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and in western Indiana, with an account of the fishes found in each of the river basins of those regions. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Com- mission, vol. viii, 1888, p. 97-173, 3 pl., 17 fig. BIBLIOGRAPHY. 421 Jornpan, Davip Starr, AND BrayTon, ALEMBERT W. 1878. On the distribution of the fishes of the Allegheny region of South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, with descriptions of new or little known species. Bulletin U. S. National Museum, vol. xii, 1878, p. 1-95. JorDAN, Davip Starr, AND EvERMANN, BARTON WarRREN. The fishes of North and Middle America. Bulletin no. 47, U.S. National Mu- seum, 4 vol., 3313 pages, 392 pl. 1896, text, part i. 1898, text, parts ii and iii. 1900, text and plates, part iv. JoRDAN, Davip STARR, AND GILBERT, CHARLES H. 1879. Notes on fishes of Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina. Proceedings U. 8. National Museum, vol. i, 1878, p. 365-388. KENDALL, WILLIAM CONVERSE. 1902. Notes on the silversides of the genus Menidia of the east coast of the United States, with descriptions of two new subspecies. Report U. 8. Fish Commission 1901, p. 241-267. KENDALL, WILLIAM CONVERSE, AND SmitH, Hucu M. 1894. Extension of the recorded range of certain marine and fresh-water fishes of the Atlantic coast of the United States. Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, vol. xiv, 1894, p. 15-24. Records Earll’s hake from Hatteras Inlet, the first instance of its occurrence in North Carolina. Lawson, JOHN. 1709. A new voyage to Carolina; containing the exact description and natural history of that country [etc.]. London. The publication of this history was apparently begun in 1708, but some copies bear date of 1710 and a copy belonging to the State of North Carolina is dated 1714, with title page reading “The history of Carolina; containing the exact description and natural history of that country; together with the present state thereof. Anda journal of a thousand miles, travel’d thro’ several nations of Indians. Giving a particular account of their customs, manners, etc. By John Lawson, Gent. Sur- veyor-General of North Carolina.”” Reprint from this copy, 171 p., Charlotte, N.C., 1903. The book contains a very interesting account of the fishes of the state, devoting about 9 pages to the subject and giving lists of the fresh-water and salt-water species, with notes on many of them. About 60 species are named. Linton, Epwin. 1905. Parasites of fishes of Beaufort, North Carolina. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries, vol. xxiv, 1904, p. 321-428, pl. i-xxxiv. Issued Oct. 19, 1905. Deals primarily with the internal parasites of the fishes of the Beaufort region, but contains also very useful data on the food of the fishes as determined by an examination of their stomach contents. Several species of fishes not previously known from the state are incidentally mentioned. The paper is a contribution from the Beaufort laboratory. McDonatp, MarsHatu. 1884. California trout planted in Roanoke River in July, 1883, retaken in June, 1884. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Commission, vol. iv, 1884, p. 286. 1887. Fisheries of the rivers and sounds of North Carolina, in The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States, section v, History and methods of the fisheries, vol. i, p. 625-637. Miner, J. W. 1882. Summary of fishing records for shad and alewives kept at Willow Branch fishery, North Carolina, from 1835 to 1874. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Commission, vol. i, 1881, p. 396-400. Norts Carona Boarp or AGRICULTURE. 1881. Biennial report of the board of agriculture to the general assembly of North Car- olina, 1879 and 1880, 71 p. Raleigh. Fish propagation (p. 7-8). . 1883. Handbook of the State of North Carolina, exhibiting its resources and industries. Raleigh. Fisheries and artificial propagation of fish are referred to briefly (p. 128-131). 422 "_ PISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Nortu Carouina Bursa or Lasor Statistics. 1894. Eighth annual report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of North Car- olina for the year 1894. The fishery industry of North Carolina, p. 248-256. Text and tables quoted from Smith, 1893b. 1895. Ninth annual report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of North Caro- lina for the year 1895. Fishing industry, p. 371-385. Copies text and tables from previous report, and quotes letter from Dr. W. R. Capehart giving information regarding fisheries of Albemarle Sound. Pox, L. L. 1879. Report of L. L. Polk, commissioner of agriculture, for 1877 and 1878. Public document no. 8, session 1879. Raleigh. Fish propagation is discussed at some length (p. 7-15). Pratt, JosepH Hype (Compiler). 1906. Report of committee appointed by Governor R. B. Glenn to investigate the fishin, industries in North Carolina. Economic Paper no. 13, North Carolina Geological Survey, 75p. Raleigh. ; Considers the condition of the fisheries, and makes comprehensive recommenda- tions for a revised fish code. RavENEL, W. DEC. 1888. Information bearing on the propagation of mullet. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Commis- sion, vol. vii, 1887, p. 197-202. Smiru, Hueu M. 1893a. Report on a collection of fishes from the Albemarle region of North Carolina. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Commission, vol. xi, 1891, p. 185-200. Based on a collection made by the writer in April, 1892, in Albemarle Sound and tributaries. 1893b. Fisheries of North Carolina, in Report on the fisheries of the South Atlantic States. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Commission, vol. xi, 1891, p. 282-306, 31 pl. Discusses the fisheries, fishing grounds, and fishery resources of the State; gives detailed statistics of the industry for 1889 and 1890; and shows illustrations of 80 of the principal fishes of the region, with their local names. 1901. [Fishes of Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina.] Report U.S. Fish Commission 1900, p. 133, 134. A brief account of the fish life of this interesting lake. 1905. Note on a rare flying-fish (Cypselurus lutkeni). Science, n. s., vol. xxi, May 12, - 1905, p. 746. / Mentions capture of a specimen at Beaufort, N. C., and states that the type, the only other known specimen, probably came from the same place. Smita, Hueu M., and Kenpayyt, WILLIAM CONVERSE. 1897. Notes on the extension of the recorded range of certain fishes of the United States coast. Report U. 8. Fish Commission 1896, p. 169-176. Mentions the capture of a winter flounder at New Bern, N. C. Stevenson, CHarLes H. 1899. The shad fisheries of the Atlantic coast of the United States. Report U. 8. Fish Commission 1898, p. 101-269. The history, methods, and results of the North Carolina shad fishery are con- sidered (p. 155-176). Wake, E. H. 1883. Spawning of Hsox (pike or pickerel) in North Carolina. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Com- mission, vol. iii, 1883, p. 295. Wuson, H. V. 1900. Marine biology at Beaufort. American Naturalist, vol. xxxiv, May, 1900, p. 339- 360. Worts, 8. G. 1879. Yish culture in North Carolina. [Report to the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture], 26 p. appended to Report of L. L. Polk, commissioner of agriculture, 1877-1878, Public Document no. 8, session 1879. 1881. Report of superintendent of fish and fisheries for the years of 1879-’80. Report of the board of agriculture to the general assembly of North Carolina, 1879 and 1880, p. 25-51. Refers (p. 40) to planting of rainbow trout (4,300 in number) in streams and ponds in western counties in March, 1880. 1882a. The artificial propagation of the striped bass (Roccus lineutus) on Albemarle Sound. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Commission, vol. i, 1881, p. 174-177. BIBLIOGRAPHY. 423 1882b. A poor season for shad hatching in North Carolina. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Com- mission, vol. ii, 1882, p. 54. : 1883a. Fish culture in North Carolina. Monthly Bulletin North Carolina Board of Agriculture, August, 1883, p. 3-8. 1883b. Second biennial report of S. G. Worth, superintendent of fish and fisheries of North Carolina (for 1881—’2). Report of the board of agriculture, document no. 18, 1883 session of the North Carolina legislature, p. 62-81. 1884u. The fishing industry of North Carolina. Monthly Bulletin of North Carolina Department of Agriculture, March, 1884, p. 8-9. Refers to a single seine haul of 400,000 herring. 1884b. Report upon the propagation of striped bass at Weldon, N. C., in the spring of 1884. Bulletin U. 8. Fish Commission, vol. iv, 1884, p. 225-230, pl. i. 1885. Third biennial report of the superintendent of fish and fisheries, of the state of : North Carolina, for the years 1883-’84, 35 p. Raleigh. 1903. Striped bass hatching in North Carolina. Transactions American Fisheries Society 1903, p. 98-102. = Refers to recent fish-cultural work of the Bureau of Fisheries on Roanoke River. Yarrow, H. C. 1874. Notes on the shad as observed at Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina, and vicinity. Report of Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries 1872-3, p. 452-456. 1877. Notes on the natural history of Fort Macon, ‘North Carolina, and vicinity. No. 8—Fishes. Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. xxix, 1877, p. 203-218. INDEX OF COMMON NAMES OF FISHES. PAGE. AlbaeOre vigss ek escustadasn oan 188, 205, 206 AJeWaile! is ten eens aig be se heey eae oe 122, 130 Allem6iuthice 2 gevecse Seaes os Sa wages ees 398 AllovericOre.: 6¢. 9254s 23554 Bot R es HEY 213 Amibeér=fshy, j.ci 04406 the eeeo Ba ees eS 202 JAM PMIORUB soi Sadek enon Si oem eads at ae 27 IATC OVS. os g.sua sdeesens as danke ee dace a 133, 134 BUTIPE. Sand esi. sence boedraees BE ven sy 133 ATOM. ois aetas ee ansunons @ & Gavi bie 38, 334 AMGIGR: conatadys Sheicen gakuhe bie daa Talay 398 AGIAtIC CAL Diccacimieete he ee Behan ha eee 105 SPB bie Sx sete lee ce csc stave eae ne Ge ialalel ace eae 133 BAILA ineics comarieditie se eck ache ahead ALG a8 ua 4 162 Balloon=fishy sci 2:0-¢ sees cag sane saninis bes 347, 348 Banded blenny....................5005 375 PUI (2 gris sacha Aas A Aare ER 313 SPB BAT Dy sae oy hay eae Am AES gue ge tide So lalaes eng dS Oo 323 Barber aeesse¢ ana atuageea se enn ana cae 338 Barndoorskatesciai sia cece ees sien yon 41 Barracuda: sasanvgcee gas deaewerger ese 183 Bashawie viv des eyes ae VEER SL ERAS BOS 69 BaBS snd once kas A oe EN ees ae a Lede oS 279 CalGG.nc case reeaiees 442 Ser ead hae 230 channels < dcx yews Rast see ee ace 320 large-mouthed black.............. 245 HOI, <0. dacne's 3% ig Seana cant eae Bitrasee Tbs 232 TOG Lees seas scuba es atest cened ore veep oe eases 233 HOC. SOA, a8 hi chp aiid Medan dae Gay wae tea 281 7 a re cde HF Sieoinke eter use ck Hue 279 small-mouthed black........ 0 ..... 244 BPOLtE dass a4 5.01 unne er Mua Rel ae hae 320 StTAWDEREY io. s.g2g nis oon acnereas ani 230 StH Peds acne sn eeeuarerae sesame 271 Bastard troutic nas cnn nate sacs oon nnad eels 309 Batatishie asic gh cece noms Bene enrenenaind 401 Bip-eyéd herring «22 sscwvs ewe igean 116, 122 CVG, SHOR: samara a Oeetn gine Sable sake Bes 285 headed gurnard....................360 Billfish oso due sbas te epee gabe 58, 157, 199 Black-banded sun-fish.................. 237 bass, large-mouthed.............. 245 small-mouthed.................. 244 CATANISH:. caivsGensereesgeesegs 65, 66 GATED 25 cid ids Gand ORR iced S 260 MUI irs saeco vx oe gadel bie beng eaeeded 324 PBN) Zs. nuce fount oun aed Sel hee Ate 60, 279 PROUPCE aii tin was daa doar eee 278 TUNG: gk teen en tae Ra een caes 292 nosed dace...............0.0000. 101 PETC oe shes ses sent womieg wed Hime 274, 284 Pikes. ast ven Besagakavak BRewees 143 snake.cel. soos ace ume age gas scee 112 suckers y cso sy a seed sees eyes 74 CHOU Ge iis ce See Garddades pee seses SS LL WAIL fe eee e Sneha gh te yeh See aero 279 winter sucker................00. 75 PAGE. BIGHHY? sien Aah aes dcatonoe Fe ae aed 376, 377 bandedssa canara ntias iemeeare ses 375 Blobstc chs emtras ee See pete ola Me sae 357 Biliebaektes seas arent aoe R aah ahs eaawe bee 124 MUMS bi accom Rare ead eS A 182 banded darter.................0005 264 Dreams xnns- Yvoe ed Mean aes eee soRGen< 241 breasted darter..............-00055 265 CSt-fISN). 20. e542 Se Leh s BRE Ree dee 64 Ash, :; seca sossge ese oee te vaer ae ues 215 MD ss sg acho echoes MER EE Ble ER PMA ESE 241 io i omaha te Gee Coe U3 FBS DIES BO DS 241 MOUS tp coat sci Ges Meas Soe oa PEELE 78 PeveDi soi dea ttyad dew cae RONG 241 POLK Ose scies- yun ds So eedsleudsdne ut daiy 28.8 Clergy 35 248 NBII Sy... wavs dito 4 aecesicea-adave duces 4 34 spotted sun-fish................... 236 SUNS. 6 naka. danaia vera Mel e.cedeen 241 BOLL peomiics gi hee aOR ORD 187 BONG sf hiss hers cas. ne eee yank ere acl ea 117 BOmitoh 29h erica Se eee 186, 187, 189 Bonnet-headed shark................... 35 nosed sharky. eis eet eee e oan tas 35 TS OYE Te one ga tag nance g oe ihe Angee ee 60 Box=fisheaus sdyus vee oe vaggows ened deoee 345 Branch herring. . 224 do ceusverasaceeven 122 Branded drm: ys.c averse dynes Me bow 320 BreaMxs saa sues nyds ag seks Bue sas 88, 299 DWC sso e ca ace 9 e4 wg age ee eee 241 copper-nosed.................-. 241 red-bellied...............0 00 eee 239 red-eyed. cee ee eee 234 TING-tAlE . oie wi eweew de ees 302 salt-water ................ 299, 302 BECP PAV «cs nauk ha VON RE Gee Re Re T TS 42 Brimley’s minnow...................-. 96 Brinidle=fish evinces ¢ca asin acral s ace a ede secs 60 Brook trout ........0...0..0.000- 135, 248 Brown: :¢atefishs.e <0 gc ne conta agg aipege 68 Bus ishicer.e% ial ecg ue anesows ge seen 130 Bullhead; s¢-s oe oas cues cis ies sada 65, 67, 313 Bumpers 2 ges eeas eeu aeeeSe ES Ra bees 211 Burefishty's': sce asx 9.04 ale Sios els Sank Mears Sein 351 Butter-fish..........000.00000 0.2 c eee 224 PETC 5060s iececiuicbtep ethene area noes 224 Butterhy-fish’s soc gacwoysoa ast eae a4 336 TAY el 8 acetals olen ax ee CA 45 WABIG s+ sin ph Acad ah dor ARGH Bead he atoms d 220 CANCO: DASS vast co checwe enn ae eee aor Hee BEE 230 California salmon ,.20. 0.4 24a4uen enn aumeans 248 LTOUlsdrsigg sv tana he aed dee eas 137 Camel -fishisa.ccde'e asa tee ak weeds es 345 Capitainese::: sn ertea¢seeseagaeeses ee 729 Carbonero. <2 s6% aes hha ee wade sees dee 204 Carolina whiting....................4.. 321 426 PAGE CarpyAsiatiCius i ccabh deere deeu Bhawan’ 105 Germans as22s ee veh s ee taeewees ee 105 Catala lies cus sie wie ed gestae d Wis bakes 63 DIC ie ee eh shunt ad eee 65, 66 DWC nance eects male elk Aca aaa eatens 4 DROW sa scncces aanaesedieieios a esas 68 Chane! ew ecieaczin pesteesialedgoe nile 64, 65 CECONG (ata oats et Sepreactie yee uae Moores dads 65 Celi cresran Ae ecunaa sete ucha eae 64 fork- tailedcs ew seat g we odalstes eae 65 Pall-topsall acc aceasta 62 GOOdE'Bi aces bce dune cabhe Laas 66 large-mouthed................., 62 Mississippi .................... 64 DOUG iis ae atad siecertin's ex eats. camteg 68, 69 TV OT y cegighaga's in ea pte gneiss goal tite a BOQ cs sen cet en's sas eee neues 62, 63 SIlVEIes gcse ets gate a ye es small-mouthed................. 63 spoon-billed.................04. 54 SPOCtEd sie dascawaies Gaenn goes 64 WIG. 24 met ae tscks eetmaneaene 65 WellOwW?.sstasuasays mess ex 66, 67, 69 SATE foitaedea chien Wh nas eros nee es 31 Cavally® | sins nen cle vond Sele ash 205, 206 CTO 4 seek es Ree ESE ees Benes we 192, 193 king...... sded eee ee eee BE Sen eA 192 BPOtted oss igstevne keg Selene Rea ES 192 Chain pickerel...................0.000. 143 Channel bass..............0-00 0000000 320 Cot TSM eins 4 avaiecd PR and ee a 64, 65 OHO Yat cetsed aa ate eee hace se ao 0 Chub ........ 86, 88, 234, 245, 306, 313, 316 TAU ja ete cs ean nar acpi aera dial Sd TIVEDS ey de neal se vay A yaad ae eed a BIEL. 3 oh vols eoasige eneae vesamess 104 BUCKED winx aca stake acd seg aes Hae RS 74 Clam-cracker. 0305.04 sseea sede ead ages 44 Clear2nose., 3. iin anns esetes bee aaceiee 40, 42 Climge fis lite 0:5 oidnqccetaundt esi hecbiluel onearauend 26 374 Cobbler-fish.......0..0..00 0000 ce eee e nee 207 COD e515 sida ah aang he aan Land ARGS 381 Codlitige. cc cccei cin é ereat tte aw heats 383 Common €el oo... Sack se cesda nee aa 108 Matafisiiesis'eccuisaic dee Se nutes ate 390 miackere) is ois a.cisi cane igh naa dune ak 194 SIC KET cyan Gos Sx ete pas uate 73 Conger eel, v.33 2 seeyse ony ci cupeca vee: 111 Copeland’s darter..................000- 268 Copper-nosed bream.................5. 241 Corn-cracker..........2.02-.0 2202 e ee eee 47 Cow-nosed ray........0 00.02 cece eee 47 BHAT wnt daha ean Ar aaa aed 30 Crab=eatéris cca ca ea mes cere n aes ee ad 220 eas fiSH avila! staatier wens se 0 east nto ES 43 CLAP PY acccuwalecasiad pus ae cmp ey daybaiarny 230 eee is fish oa. een cee aes cay eee ee 65 Crevallé 2223 seksaeveaiesue eye 204, 205, 206 NOISE? aoe bce tenet Mas See set 205, 206 JHC a sieeve atl sith dues rte St Sat ae 205 CROBKER ied nisyide ceeded asian vgtleun deoundnicd 318 OTOCUB ie ccs Ze pA a bln nA A aoe EG dae nA 318 Cusk=celiscs cncg-e cei anaes ne pw pe Foes 379 INDEX OF COMMON NAMES. PAGE Dace? ns can sawe sy excess wees 86, 87, 88 black-nosed.................0.005 101 DOFNG gaara ely na deke inn Siaetadan Since eh 86 IONB“NOSEO cs omens wae on eR EM aS 101 ARLE Bie aden ies oslee en nee hoon Eames ear esecendS 254 DIAC. aac anscanecs esac sare Meanie 260 blue-banded.................... 264 blue-breasted..............0.0.. 265 Copeland’s..............00.-0008 268 eff Ulpent sce) y pieced s eee nieed 261 fan-tailed............... 0.00005. 266 FUSLIOTI 9. 5 2aekia ne pce Ganja toed 267 BIABSY psc cade ee anpniens pak SiS 262 green-sided.................005. 259 JONNY: sain: not atoning axe ema acre 260 orange-colored...............005 257 red-hined =v cr:anie exces weaieees o28 266 red-spotted..............000000- 265 Roanoke... 0.2.0.0... 0000 eeu ee 256 BOA Visi cdettsua-aue's Sead BR eaves bases 257 SOASSTEEH | 40s ae testis aaa a Ras 9 263 shielded...............00-000005 255 snub-nosed............20--000005 258 spotted-head..................4. 262 Swannanoa.............0e ee eeee 264 tessellated........ 0.0.00 cee eae 260 Devil-fish: ¢ 4 ses 0245 seaees sed0es 46, 47, 342 SO Misa ees. 4,eeckle 4 Sede Leary Gigs Rai eS 47 DICKIE ses dsds ledge Sas gah Ree iti DE aT EIS 384 Dick, slippery..................0.00 00 330 Dismal Swamp fish................-00. 155 Doctor-fish. ........ 2.0.00 e sce eee 157, 337 DOPASH. occ aera ewes ae kaa 32, 60 BIMNOOUN wisi ech sgn aie gates ees 32 Dollarsfishis jij sats ag,c5ena7 Sk se BR wees 224 Delphine on eens ais URE eh ues a wallet namaste 226 MAL cha: ayes eu iaees e4as 227 Donel prota ANNE. sis.cc5 3 ee ame Aas 331 PUI so ses 2 ht Gpecdi'g ah Subd ketene area Gate a SES 320 Dane diiioiac cc suaienacodsuaehen eco ese 313 OLA GIE 2s vo ran ducesvardavai's ceaianecela evn iaua a aos 324 Pande) ti asdeeca wikia Mamnnices 320 PUPPY -ecasnarns saa diensce sand ke 320 _ ee pret ae oe a er eae 320 se satis ee eS ch screen Pasha gia’ 324 Duck- billed PIKE sacs. se cuig lawn eucn ees 143 Dusky shark. jc. cysane ceecdaneradead oa 33 Hage tay. ss y sig 24 Feds Hse BK ees SHES Re 46 Warll’s-hake@esc.o2ngne ven eny saxeae fees 384 Heless weese tes ev eso ag sae eee see sea 108 black-snake..............-0.2.005- 112 Cat GSI .5.5 2 b2.4 salina Guana itdie na eat 64 COMMON Ey iai.o Sin ied wens nw a ehve ees 108 COMPO «ose. doa -wee va eased au ae 111 freshwater.......0... 0000. e eee eee 108 OCCA ia 55 tela ea ciaed geen diy soap eaten 111 SCO Gvngnitherk aa nyu toe dir ea ws 111 Hel-pouts: x: = daz ex yan $24 Hes Se Aewee ee ots 378 Effulgent darter...............2....0005 261 Electric Tay... sci conn e ek wes ee toe eh te 43 TOA acs don aegieed ac uataod ga Ronee Roc Re 371 HWnglishtnian. 2.2400 + 66 Ghote en saees 250 tT OPC gate a: da Sascs davaptiane orator ne AA eta 395 BIPM AIG rica siere-nncig ve nile ae a 296, 299 INDEX OF COMMON NAMES. 427 PAGE. PAGE. Pall herring: occacarcsce scien ren sacred ave 121 :Gréétigare ose cceeir ee loeteeeeceaes 157 BI aD ai coche tare tikaent Riateertcstnan ae dias BIA 121 headed minnow..............4.. 95 Fan-tailed darter.................4. 1. 266 sided darter... shunts sud deateangeh OREO Fatback cp eee sega yaings aps te are a see T8O: Grind 6g cciccicae aso draw adauntne bneneand vend ain es 60 Fiery-black minnow.................... 94 Grouper, black iiss none so noire cnmdonn 278 File-fish casi saeacy sei cee cng ears. 34), 342 NASSAU cecctimnccr ieatunien’ Sioa 275 RHUEG.. .. canassvansoesiunesde POC: Gants, stiacrseisicetes oe shaman avec A 276 Fish of the Dismal Swamp..............155 yellow-finned................5. 278 Ha SOT id ayia anes Jose Seruceee ois ies ng oe DSA “AGU seer Hier da arena sence 292, 293 Flat-fish, common..............+-0000- 390 blacks «vs sheeasacn savas acndens 292 PULTE ie. dz canes, desaieduteaiinGue abot sesiranty aie 231 réd-mouthied. .ac. vexeviexvexeaes 293 Blunder x eccvceeasieeans 386,388, 391,396 Guavina.......2cco.,c082e2 tens e2 eeoaas 9804 four-spotted..............00-- BOO SCUAREOM 0 ii incine castes Pot ak PEEL BAS 85 MUG ecnitemecreotiaantiingeeeie GOO: AOUMAT TSH. 35 cide woait ious dean ies) ake BOS 40 BAN Sees eyes ee ey « 386, 391 Gurnard, big-headed...................860 spotted sand..................391 BITE orca scents a neeahsa tal cuoiaes 195 SOUtKE Niece eeegerndirceccecO88 Hairyebatkiin coca acme sd cemmne ae se 129 SUMMIT cos. 04 e Qey gal wiowe wHin es 386) “Hake: sas ccuine caw a eaonaisuons 323, 383, 384 window-pane.................. 391 Bia rll Sia sccniasacve greece gm onalatina uatiiatce 3 384 WINtE?) .cascksae horses ence nes 390: Half beals a. sce dcracimreiwin emia niene som antes 161, 162 Hluké..).. cx2ptascasaas tere tas ey hes 389 Hamletincuseesc Hem ane aemenne aa ta 327 Ten-Poundery we x x isars r'g8 ware sauces arenes 116 Tessellated darter...............0.00005 260 Phréadsfishwecsss paskegeaes naonnsey oer 207 HELIN Gay is ae sea see De ee a oe ee 129 Thick-lipped minnow..............6.605 103 Thorny-batk..: 2.2.05 .2etemeseweks exw 299 TOR sg cissccsidi 8 Rosato teats CUA Ss ERED 373 MS 5 scsisss ssbierins Ede wis Fhe Msss MORES 373 Tobacco-box........ 06.6. eee eee ee eee 242 OWRC OGY. spasiald 55 pose ain Rualags dhanets aun toe ale 384 ALE cesta tans uibrapio aiepcanarn a eubbauase mussels 293 ROT GUC MS Bie 5 apical tee ursoie Ba sane oe guaane 397 FLOP: TAIN NOW: saan equines a dala iene 152, 154 Torpedo. isaac ccawncenewn tiaane asain 43 PELOUE: a diet Wander aw anna ate 245, 310, 311 bastard. gary caeasiesl ia aides Scanian 09 Dl ackis:c-csssuyte teins aeies, gatnten eos anes 311 DrOOk sess ecco gin y4eaeeis ga gee 135, 248 Californias seine adds xis tated ogc ats 3 137 fresh-waters sc... cas ss9s0n sanaaes 245 poldens. cae ceseesaec even vies F054 248 OTA escacisi gash ee esea wan dave 310 mountain.............. ate eek awe 135 TAINHOWic hk sees eae teace es 137. PIVEDS oy: cigencm uncon Sy chine 248 ALTON sighs sx nj dsr elo 6oasae: 8 a8 eat 311 BE Ass eotiataist Meuhapen ae tomemite une 310, 311 BDA cess ie dah arisen ad Gangs seen A 310 speckled .................. 135, 311 SUCKER siiccirscirin cauea va tees gaan os 80 SUIMMECI iiss cepa sew aes Ss we 310 SUM 6 gc is elencc Hi sopom Adenine Rk Goa pena ye 310 yellow-finned....................310 Triggerfish.es cae cog en cee nae cee wer ae 339 riple-tall, scxusnane very ae aweRtiaesen en 284 Trumpet-fish, 5 .2.0%. ins anne patraineiumnae ye eties 154 ATTN ox desis oemepailel wate ean ies 152 fOTMOSA: exerci eaareenes ss 154 heteroclita, Cobitis..................... 147 heteroclitus, Fundulus................-. 147 Heterosomatay.. .c0% 28268 cemnen censors 385 hexacanthus, Pomoxys................. 230 Hexen hid Bs. oic.scoigs encen paasoaeee guanine s 30 FOREN CHWS ites a ges avery acndvics. a es reunn emusioa’ & 30 PISCUS oii to areata creesiany al euclbiacie 30 Hexanematichthys felis................. 63 hians, Athlennes....................0.. 159 Belone, .coceien tedanny ores 158, 159 Py lOsUrUs ccsutae newuees SeRae 159 Hi atulaionitisinc saad sara am quate arenannt 327 hiatula; abrsici'ecnsswnginsgeticreegreray 327 FROM Ove o¢ «'shsa aig SERgia he uares bye UMS EN ear L1G SelenOpSiisccecetgeteensarz anes 118 Hiodontideesnne ven sewsr ve eT ee Oe x 117 Hippocampus: :rsnssvavnes seer seeeaas 172 antiquorum.............. 172 hudsonius............... 172 punctulatus............., 173 Hippos, CATANBUS... coe veces Re eiewae asia 205 440 PAGE hippos) Carank a6 sons aaa eaeess 205 Scomber ¢ s:se sags wis ain’ da dd 4s 205 hippurus, Coryphena.................- 226 hispidus, Balistes...................24. 341 Monacanthus ...............4. 341 Tetrodon ..............0 eee ee 347 histrio, Lophius.....................0. 400 ‘Pterophryne..............2.00- 400 holbrooki, Eupomotis .................. 242 LOpOMIS \i5hissee athens Ge eae a's 242 POMOUB ines cxeexesdee eb iene 242 holbrookii, Diplodus .................-. 302 ATP B ie siete ot i gee aha icyind ane sete 302 holmesi, Microgobius................... 366 Holocentrus surinamensis............... 284 Homoprion lanceolatus................. 315 hudsonius, Hippocampus................ 172 Notropis: .:ccdeescela cae gx aces 91 saludanus, Notropis.......... 91 huronensis, Lepidosteus ................ 58 hyalinus, Ceratichthys.............. +. 104 Hybognathus............. 0.00002 eee 85 argyritis........ 0.0.00 06. 85 muchalis.............0..- 85 PLOCHIC oc shasta tas Bh tiwns 90 Hy DOpSISiccs shee maaan ati e sores 102 BMBLOPS 22 nie aeeacsrncs copiers teats 104 Chalybeusinwcs desc. ses weasels « 97 Chiliticus sa: uses cede ¥e saa es 96 chlorocephalus............... 95 dissimilisc: 2 cc seseeaweeys ae bx 102 hYPBINGWMS sv scoas Hees ea oe 103 kentuckiensis................ 104 lADTOSUS 4aric2 eens eke ae Gans 103 MONACUBs ccsgsios «sons We ae 102 NIVEUS sabciwaesenas honed esas 92 rubricroceus................+- 95 spectrunculus................ 91 Hydrargyra diaphana.................. 148 MAajaligenws carsacearsiaes va 146 Hyostoma cymatogrammum............ 259 siMoteruM...........00. 20 eee 258 Hyphalonedrus chalybeius.............. 140 FAY PCLOALUIL. pate dive cecoruiere eachicrei a aid tues a His 28 Hypleurochilus.................000e eee 377 geminatus.............. 377 multifilis............... 877 punctatus.............. 376 Hy pocly dona ii asendia daeaca tae ek sees 269 Bellas ois: diese oes g eiesien lex 270 Fypohomus: «23 vascus ess ee senna sa haw a4 256 aurantiacus...............- 257 squamatus.............000- 257 Hyporhamphus..............0. 0.00 ee ee 160 TODET Csi. cla Mess deg sone 161 unifasciatus............. 161 Hypsilepis coccogenis ................. 94 COTDULUSs 6.52.2 584 205 Ale ge dueny oe 94 galacturus..............040 93 hypsinotus, Ceratichthys............... 103 Fy bopsts 6 .0..604 nesses 25 103 Hypsoblennius..............0..00000e 376 NGA wre cad inecg tee ouars eine 376 hystrix, Diodon........ renee ieee eralaeetaet a 350 Ichthelis megalotis.............0.. 0005 240 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. PAGE ictalops; Cobtuss is esis sewer ewags besa 357 * Pepedictiss sisccic assis = alee ous 357 VetalurusSiasssiss scans see maa eianee cre 64 cerulescens..........-....05- 64 punctatus................00. 64 imperator, Tetrapturus................. 199 incisor, Lepomis...............0.00000, 241 POMS 025.402 titted Heat enin 241 Iniomi.......... ea casa Mila te aaa weed eee “anges 138 insigne, Pimelodus............... 00005 70 insignis, Noturus............ 0.0. ee eee 70 Schilbeodes...............005. 70 WOOnisigsc cant as aeh ead Gee ctied OER e 262 VUE C 5 i sar sycria Sake eacep Soe transi GAN aie} Sided 262 irideus, Centrarchus............-....00. 231 AAG. 4 head a naa eea he eee yea 137 TIO caccrwesciin antes dawned Oak mea 329 bivittatusycc seuseagcancneman aes 330 maculipIMNa, 4 aes cstere os Gwe as 331 Isesthes punctatus........ 0.0.00. 0 00 eee 376 Tsospond Yliwis..5 ee rca e ae sae ee ey 83s 114 Istiophorid®. ... sac seu dias gs sina vt tees os 197 [stiophorus’ c.éscacediace ved ane dew aata eee 198 nigricans..............:...198 jacobeea, Remora...........6..-02 eee 369 Johnius regalis........... 0.000.000 000 310 SAXONS ccnincaean 94 caresses 4 323 Julis maculipinna..................0005 331 kentuckiensis, Hybopsis............... 104 Luxilusinss cian pena ease bs 104 Kirtlandia:s::siasencdis ax ccanes ves wey es 178 WASTANS 4.22052 4 chew ees eek es 178 laciniata..../....... 178 Teyphosld ee, 5 engin dutes gaa ue dors cers 805 HRY PIOBUB wiaie caches Sn ui tananed eyrehianbinane a 805 BOCHAUEIR. cia docs ste wee wee os 306 abridse sy siscieshanies Sama ewer on es welds 326 labrosus, Ceratichthys.................. 103 HivbOpsis»: aciencenn siete doi ae 103 Labrus auritusics : 25 senses cecass wee ces 239 bivittatus,: dasseors ane ess wadnes 330 CLOMIS Sisc4 sas yee eee eeY oe 324 PANCATUS. < science Devs Fee HE Dees 213 PTISEUB 0 iidita cece. pease aoicaeiniaacecare Oe 286 PAGS abe iat 28 senses as io tauenp-wlgdiepace ine’ 827 macropteruS............-.00000- 231 MARMNUS 5 eye see ane chew ae aw ae 329 OMS) paves ad 6 cans qarracna nando w aw 327 PLUMMET ea kck.cavicmerter ses 292 salno@ldess...s\se's ssc Bones ark ees 245 BPArOldGSn's «5 nag vas BH ena PHS Das 230 BttlatUSissss ieee res tee sks BRET ES 279 Lachnolaimus.::..3:. 4 s0..ce aes aw ees 329 MAXiIMUS............005- 329 lachrymalis, Ptychostomus.............. 80 laciniata, Kirtlandia vagrans............ 178 MGM Lasse cs ci os cee Here pea ned Biome 178 VARTANS: 4c: Sesh cece 178 Dactophyeys; s siewinag areca sigs 3 a:8 eee sO 344 TIGODUSs. psaday sees wae es 345 trigqueter's. s.sseescree dee ws 346 levigatus, Lagocephalus...............- 348 Tetrod Odie: iss ccecne goneine fis ck 348 levis, Mustelus............02.00 eee eee 32 AEs x anetea arm nin aare nes Been Keven 41 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. PAGE Lagocephalus............. 0.0.2. ee eee 348 levigatus................ 348 TAG seis cayaanig america mide ta nedintelen 299 rhomboides................... 299 lalandi, Seriola..............00000ceeee 202 lanceolatum, Branchiostoma............ 27 lanceolatus Homoprion................. 315 Stellifer saa. s oscston eae wets Sine 315 TSTMUS yaw oanhatiarsidaed wapediun donee Aes 313 FASCIAGUSs 6. f sccsce sa sesdcarsrdcotunisin ae 313 PA tUS) CATANK s.cinen? waiuewiius noite Amacai nse 206 Leiostomus.... 6.2... 6.6 c ccc 316 OD] QUUS 5.5.0 cncvecccre annie 316 RAV CMUIUG.cssivsca ces aaareaeisns 316 lentiginosus, Rhinobatus................ 40 Lepidosteus osseus.................-... 58 Lepls0steid@)wscaaicuntanwaneiraveer es 58 Lepisosteu8ys009riseseersesenseeaantes 58 OSSCUB cies ey eeseenyeees oa 58 LOPOMiSsasice cet 94.4 os einendee w gomssi cd van 238 AUT EUS 36, o s.dcse Saas, mania Bde 239 gibbosus...................005 242 holbrooki..................... 242 DMCS OT ice 2 cd ainheire ce newate ice HARA wad 241 megalotis..................0-. 240 MO LA TUS: os unnaree gud sa oc rere 241 PANU. cs sccenacamweaanee es 241 PUFPUTCSCONB ec. wrdives aarainiia 241 PUD ICAU secede co ar cial avs reuse hoard 239 Leptecheneiss ici % pane decamegin gg ghlaes 370 NAUCTALES irc perma s Reads 370 Leptocstdilic. «ucicssnecueouemenar amex: 27 Leptocephalide..................:....110 Leptocephalus:wscciaceecveesasiaeaeues 111 CONFCE ey ee ga nae sas a4 111 leptocephalus, Ceratichthys............. 104 Leplops. actavsawe ve nstatwnaue ec ecue oe 69 OUVALISS sa scocucsia tcanasion so Grenades 69 lethostigmus, Paralichthys.............. 388 TGUCISCUS) sc ivecseaiaie a:ar6.c'erg. umiesd nei duciaurnaek ds 87 americanus.................. 143 pygmeus...... cai a eetenene ducal 6 141 ; vandoisulus.................. 87 leucops, Photogenis..................0. 98 leucosteus, Calamus.................... 298 limi pygme#a, Umbra...................141 lineata, Echeneis...................... DGIDNE rok ei et siace’s eusetely nadane's lineatus, Achirus..................005. Mudile cts gxeanns ponies acess Roceuss2 7x4 satees vena cea pees littoralis, Carcharias..................4. Eugomphodus Menticirrhus.................. SQUAIUS Es. siseess sccequmnrwn shag sean UMD EIA, catenin sds expe eavianes LODGES siny see anc gd meme nesceeimes mabey surinamensis.................- Tobotide. cciwwaw eaten deen ae maintenant longirostris, Belone.................... Lophide sss ne xenn wehun chaanced ees Lophivisixa-nss caugekeaw en exeaenaesades HiSthlOse sine cheenreaweakeeeae st PISCALOTIUS. 6.6 asi aie cuiosaadaanaweet vespertilio......... 0.2.0.0 20 PAGE. Lophobranchil ..... 0... cecieescig ieee 169 LOPhopsett ar... scaice crete ge wceepsd quer toeoe ooe9%s 391. MACUATA, 0s ac2ee an mae seve 391 louisiane, Siphostoma.................- 171 Syngnathus....ccnccc aca sees 171 TUCANI As vies chgtay werctaas cx SRO EE ia 150 ALVA Lox care L se eee wy slae eis 151 luciodus, Notropis............-..0+-00e 97 Photopenis: «c..ccgsunsernete sare 97 Lucius masquinongy..................- 144 TEVMCUIALUS) oi ciue json noobs Bae 143 vermiculatus.............--.. .143 IU GIUS HBO Rs occ aensc paedsinu alee da cniue dor 143 lunatus, Argyreus................ 000005 101 Titi mide i 5 yyy sitaieraieng ati eran a cae ea 285 Tans: ys saeraiiss aude she Coed eam 286 BDANS, spnrnsalen yg edhe eames eG 288 APOUUS2 «15.085 2 4eedusaslds ee 8 287 blackfordl.2:.o..ce0csseeea'e ck 287 QTISCUS,...crrenessareseerwe ste 286 Lutjanus tridens....................04: 281 lutkeni, Cypselurus.................... 167 Cypsilurus.....................167 TEX COB TUB sei pop sants ous euetdvrete bail casters 167 Luxilus dissimilis....................4. 102 kentuckiensis.................. 104 LY COd ODES ices gests s earned tien asin Astra 113 OCEMATUS .c:cccnd sacanuna ye maes 113 maclura, Pteroplatea................... 45 TRG] Siseatessboohs etewensa ches Gxt eases nt Sd MED. macrolepidotum, Moxostoma............ 80 macrolepidotus, Catostomus............. 80 macrops, Citharichthys................. 893 macropterus, Centrarchus............... 231 ADIUSi yiesene saws sre se 231 maculata, Lophopsetta................. 391 SCBA + 5c Gua serine hantetcuss Gee 364 maculaticeps, Boleosoma................ 262 nigrum........ 262 maculatum, Cybium................... 190 CYTOSCION, s:ciei eve scouien tae 311 Etheostoma................255 maculatus, Bothus..................+.- 391 Dormitator...... Se ee 364 MUS occ ceca aw eee dees 185 Pleuronectes................ 391 DCOMD SIs pais daca n a putihe sauersas 190 Scomberomorus............. 190 Spheroides..:..062s+08i3 ea 0m 347 Upeneusiscaccsey cavwns erase 185 maculipinna, Iridio.................... 331 SUIS ics ccvensices sinciepeGunawsad 331 Platyglossus.............. 331 miajalis; COBIGIS 2.3.2.5 660. due gested da ain pave dedee 146 UGG nies eespuccd a sertundiateeoniane 146 FLV OTAES YP so nasi yam een eae 146 Makaira nigricans......................198 Mea CAs ae natin case nn aan acta eigenen agers 47 IROSUTIS rescore nat ge siete way 47 Man td Briain vac sicntdntaiten nia d maral peeslele 47 marginata, Rissola.isicv cya ss nad x eecos 379 marginatum, Ophidium................. 379 marginatus, Noturus................... 70 marinus, A#lurichthys.................. 62 HBOS Acasa ba chaes saiutiens ceil OM € 442 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. PAGE. PAGE marinus, Felichthys.................... 62 milberti, Galeichthys .................. 63 Petromyzon.................. 28 Minnilus scepticus..................... 98 EVIGSURUB iis: joni aiicclomter vane ad seg 157 Minytrema......... ees dee Dine Lee sas 75 Marsipobranchii....................04, 28 melanops...............-04- 75 masquinongy, Esox.................005 144 = mitchilli, Anchovia.................... 134 LUCIUS ¥)53 4556 5.6 aces eevee we 144 Engraulis.............2000005 134 matutinus, Alburnellus................. 99 Stolephorus.................. 134 NGtropis.occ. i cscngareuneine OO” MUBILG coc ton acccngonark eeeaee hanna 179 umbratilus......... 99 Drasilensis: ..c0s.ce av agnewwncniaes 182 maximus, Labrus...................... 329 CephalUsi wii. dase syd da ae agaw 180 Lachnolaimus................ 829 CUCM Aspe nose tense eeneeeee eats 182 mediocris, Clupea...............2.-2005 121 lineatus.: «5:04 064 gar Greed eevee 180 Pomolobus.................. 121 plumieriij.cccee pares cet oe ds 180 megalepis, Doratonotus................. S02 Mugtlidee. jc: os tus hd gauke Seu mee we Spun ees 178 Megalops atlanticus.................... U4 MU ieee can acvsop lame a a kek aod = dean. 184 cepediana....... datasheet Poste 118 Mullus maculatus...................... 185 OMNES ccale declan awa e eee 129 = multifilis, Hypleurochilus............... 377 thrissoides..............0000- 114 Murena conger.............0.. 0000 eee 111 megalops, Notropis................0005 04 Murenidsy 38th. soess wy) 298 ovatus, Trachynotus................... 213 oxyrhynchus, Acipenser................ 55 sturio.......... 55 pallidus, Lepomis...................... 241 papillosum, Moxostoma................ 77 DY ACID os carcass aoe eeennaeee 390 papillosus, Pleuronectes................ 390 Ptychostomus............... 77 Patalichthy sya + ae@esedewrs new cence dems on 386 albiguttus................. 388 dentatus...............00. 386 lethostigmus.............. 388 Paratractus pisquetos.................. 206 Parephippus faber..................... 334 PAteXOCOUUS cca icsvan Bawarme ainaigsg Meals 165 mesogaster................ 165 paru;, Rhombusinsscogs@enrssesarg aecng22o Stromateus: .2:+eacees8Seet ae eds 223 parva, Lucania..................00.045 151 parvus, Cyprinodon.................... 151 patruelis, Gambusia....................152 peckianus, Syngnathus................. 171 pectinatus, Pristis..................... 39 POGICWIAG, ccccecend etude mam oenGnnd 398 Pegedictis ictalops..................... 375 pelamiys; Sarda. i: cei w sigs weaaie aes alesis 189 peltatum, Etheostoma......:...........255 peltatus, Hadropterus.............,..-. 255 Peprilus. . sik» SSE A ALR RLS alepidotus. Se caduseutibedialG Sareea eee 223 POPC fits iiain widths duneios tatGoniuast gen aueneadaub.s 250 americana..................-000-5 274 OCG cca asp a asd Wiiecse nd okecrick ancl 287 BATALI Or ecuseranet oaen very amen eee toons 279 CHEV SO DUCT A swico acietarsocivaiensenas Mining & 290 TT AV.ESCOMS sede snde g-Peiccccs stedlzz eons Wena 250 fOFMOSA aaiewiengpeedpngettyomd ahd 282 @iDbOSUB iis oie hex Sen ce we neds sees 242 OCellatdvccenwen 4s kanes aealens ne R< 320 philadelphica.................... 281 BAL CAHIR tossenic seg saa sanaatone eae a 215 BOCRALTIRG sarss.is, tong echcndaniend scanneoewrase 306 CPUC isc ctssciey cg awimaceivesanocriaginn asinine 281 UNMUIAs eacenn ncn meena eanees 318 VENEN OSA: an.an yea amgy arrcenioge Halas 278 VIGT Cals ¢ genni aes dine wi minkiapes eae 248 Peril eves giciedics Ahiegemiperigieor aes wala: 247 PerCINAs:cecesennseenervenoerbanes amas 253 CAPTODES: vines cwaee same chee Re 253 POANOKS: 5 airs cy tahares cme enita’ 256 POtROMY ZOD cssiserscsssisins Sarde ede Geres wanes 28 WWE MIMUG ac da anal Gaia sisdeis 28 Petromyzontide..................0000. 28 PhenacobiUsic.ccradcas conde geace awn 100 ULANOPS y+ pe vane cer rawomes 100 philadelphia, Perca.................... 281 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. PAGE philadelphicus, Centropristes............ 281 Serranus................281 Photogenis leucops..................00% 98 luciodus: .csnecaceeecatee ces 97 pyrrhomelas................ 94 telescopus................., 97 BRYCIS CAPM. eos sucussaies binssiocag enna a eens 384 MOOTUB S/o 2accshrss pian Aatbunien wig areas 383 pidiense, Moxostoma................... 78 pidiensis, Ptychostomus................ 78 Pimelepterus bosci.................004. 306 Pimelodus insigne..................... 70 NAtalisincnnnaawawey cava s rows 66 Nebulosus..:cstexccaeeses has 67 platycephalus............... 68 pinniger, Enneacanthus................ 236 piscatorius, Lophius....................3898 ISCOESSS Victhmncdoa aeranite weit ain cue iadea ete 29 .pisculentus, Fundulus.................. 147 pisquetos, Paratractus..................206 pisquetus, Carangus.................... 206 Placopharynxy «s <4 sence og a cheereed ams 82 CAaTMAtUSs+ .ss0n2422¢a0% ame 83 duquesnil.... 40. .csee ges os 83 plagiusa, Aphoristia.................66. 397 BOUSIN: 2 2.2.5.2 ceisaus- Wet cand arenes 397 eo I cgacesatuada AeaGetoat tan an phurus ay eannaeeOO. Plagusia has ca eotenstcy int elt haty 2 Sicilia 397 platycephalus, Ameiurus. . neeiehcaa: OS Pimelodus............... 68 Platyglossus bivittatus................. 330 maculipinna............... 331 Plectospondylis e:.0: seseres wear new enes 71 Pleuronectes americanus................ 390 Centatusi.sc2; ervri anaes 386 maculatus........0.-050265 391 papillosus............5.05 390 PASSA. 2.0.02 aera canvas 397 Pleuronectide .............0 0c cece 385- plumieri, Hemulon................405 292 OTS te}. .0-gusbons dceineee db aysinsheaace 292 MEU gt sai esaieiaece Giants bsGaacakoap 180 Scorpena....... 6.6... ee eee 355 Peecilichthys camurum................ 265 flabellatus................ 266 QUICSCENB isc: ciinicsinis wor mirnes 268 rufilineatus..............- 266 VItPCUSiexs ave raisin serena 262 wulneratusiccssonsexsacines 265 Zonalis. s+ cease vee aes 264 Peeciltide.., c.cccmters ees wed eer eaae's 145 PORONIABs cineca gabe easiene hanno OAR ET 324 OTOUMIS 425 a0 cuniceigiessineciaersrne 324 POL VOC OR aie dace oniecsadtadanineauanonie damnacee’s 54 LOUUTTS 5 i. avn xm woudugce wemne.teae 54 SPAt ul Avice sescacciy deserts oun ecw en 54 Polyod Ont Binge gee siinccvrew led smnsaeune s,s 54 Pomadasys fulvomaculatus............. 290 PomatonNdeinsiss ses veened snaen cores 215 POMStOMUS) asso ce wexe ee Rees meee es 215 saltatrikss osu sacner neem axe 215 POMOlODUS: b.cccsccesei ed soeitsere etna ha AARON 8 120 PBSUVALIS) ja dicrses Bins canine 124 mediocris................005 121 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. PAGE Pomolobus pseudoharengus............. 122 Pomotis chetodon............000.045: 237 UOSUS ics earns HRaw EE EE REE SE 234 olbrooki . es se0d weer ves eens 242 INCISOR i h.c25ca oti oetaes eetoaes 241 ObCSUS i cscs Se then eee essen 235 pomotis, Acantharchus. ............... 232 Centrarehus: 60k eee eens 232 POMIORIG «sissy acnwe satan’ Seen a: 229 BDATOIAES s cecicnc sci tes seaaiicn waleee oo 230 heXACANhUSncccnsccamsaiedace 230 JPOTONO CUR? ges kaiege ssi dina qasritariete onan 224 ; PIACAMPNUS hace a ese aoe dadnucow als 224 Potamocottus carolinew................. 857 Prigcanthide a naiscc nav aededewnseeletnws 285 Priacanthus'altuses.ccxaescovns sneer 285 prestabilis, Alosa..................000. 125 PHOnOtUSS sn. ages oRRwa tte pens Res 358 CATOUNUS cos gtdes eos toasts 361 GVOLANS iis aise domi nea see eae 359 punctatus.................5. 360 scitulus............... ere 360 UDC ia, cesigaannsacion iiciaicuees 360 PERS Boxe dosca'a tercoosies Avenbesin ck Grinbdo btn Reeders 39 REISTIB cesses bcs A iveuetvtineiniie eee auihoen dint Rane 39 BNUQUOPUM seca wines weweres acy ara 39 POCHNANIS ccc ren edicnnwamaw mains 39 probatocephalus, Archosargus........... 300 Diplodus............. 300 SPATUG. so ict eeeme seca 300 procne, Hybognathus.................. 90 NO ETOP IS ss aeiea eign: si Becta ft Hy 90 PROTOS! ca (asesateras ie) Sieritinte aiehigiapr malts Did noted 222 POMS hie sakes sue lmed cigey ams aigmey 222 pseudoharengus, Clupea................ 122 Pomolobus............. 122 Pseudopleuronectes .................000. 390 americanus........... 390 Pseudopriacanthus ..............2.2-5. 285 BICUS ceca Re EN Ta ie 285 Pseudorhombus dentatus .......... 386, 388 ocellaris........... 386, 388 quadrocellatus.......... 389 psittacus, Coryphena.................. 332 SRVTICHCH Shc scotese Sioa bauer ae 332 pseudogula, Eucinostomus.............. 304 PLCPOPhYy Ne: ccs censran baka emovdinn ned OO ESET O ssesdcaacriesalsnts a aumiatancn ip cai 400 Pt@ROPla bea sestax. sesse- asia eae anes at yet eat (e ds 45 MACUTPimcsocigs vy seweyexray 45 Ptychostomus albus ................... 79 CEPVINUE ie cas morcnias SL, 82 COMAPSUSE i srecpea nannhi sag te CONUSiseciou renee ars gee nares 81 COTEPONUS Gas hea wes sevens 78 crassilabris:...cssassxene4 80 erythurusi; cp odess ceases 79 lachrymalis.. ........... 80 spapillosus: «..scsvexara es 77 PIMISNSIS) sod wicca Gass de 78 TODUStUBS 0.500 ose durseaa de 80 thalassinus.............. 79 Puncbata, ALUtEPa 6 saris ome cree cure mmralaueiars 343 Bair@icll acco saaccsainces scan» 314 punctatus, Ceratacanthus............... 343 Hypleurochilus.............. 376 Tetalurussirccs Soinccitet cones 64 TROSEHOB ihc tancus Ste tetercctens-ataensians 376 PAGE punctatus), PrionotuSssicws apged saaarasen 360 SLUTS aged Gammurniels kreniey 94 punctulatus, Hippocampus.............. 173 purpurescens, Lepomis................. 241 Pusa grandisquamis....................330 PAGIAGA,, cuttin denoted amare 331 pPyemiaa, UMP Ay, oAsccina cause eeiehsen de 141 TAD esa, acalioinsncinlaaiecete sii 141 pygmeeus, Leuciscus..............0055. 141 pytrhomelas, Notropis ................. 94 PhotopentS: ..ccsicw savacrans 94 quadriloba, Rhinoptera................. 47 quadrocellata, Ancylopsetta............. 389 Pseudorhombus .......... 389 Querimana gyransic.s. 25sec een eee ee es 180 quiescens, Copelandellus................. 268 Peecilichth ys: »:0..20s02eeeees 2 268 Rachycentrid®..,..cnc.ckseaseneenseeeusa 219 Rachycentront... i cccdine stone ARPES HES 220 / CANACUS) ccctr cis ek SOLES 220 PACA GAS PUB AR 2 esas us nature bai aaie eee 331 ROTA TIA GIO. os cossco.e supe ein deerere b eearecnene 45 TA cto cast dry ede eu usrenlait hlee 2 Spence 41 DIROBS ERIS atesnconseui incest Peace saspetie ae 47 DONABSUS Acta snde ads penn aiiaees 47 COMURUTAD earia cca ieayee aid aimee tants 44 CADENA: soc. ase may cries Seeman 42 LRGs Genitaciiengnscomnmiaeinnanh Regence 41 MATIN AT 352 Gnd pis wr ehseen nee Gang Sateseaives 46 BEY. i iare dacaris, eiterisnegnenye nivel ch ded atte Garment 44 FRA akin chine distehcmarsiainea tae (nln: 2 amiear 41 raphidoma, Belonesnsy os caauice vate, ons 158 RylOSURUS's gs-as< yaa heenpsielg'ss 158 rathbuni, Fundulus.: <4 ..245.2 0618022 149 ravenelil, Ms0xX.-angersed ven sea een ne ees 143 regale, Cybium, c2s.ver anieereyeoes eeas 192 repalis, (‘CYNnOSClON :..0.0068%654ee5e% Sues 310 JOUNIUSs 5) sos eee Meee a alee ae 310 BCOmbEP. cis cad teocauis See a SBS 192 Scomberomorus ................ 192 TEGiUIS; BICMMUS?s 15.3, danteseorasnadce wed or 383 RV MCLS6 0 9/8 21 ers Sy grntninic Hiadgitsailahs tu 383 WTOPHYCIS ns sdcneacecubsd dud-ecnabenenn Sis 383 REGULUS, HSENCR: cig ccsrnenmveanacontgueiaes 222 ReMOra JaCObBA as cree seu es eee ee es 369 TEMOVA ade nduecapieedulnae tui mh Os 359 TéMora, HCheneiss. occgaecccececnmanacss 4 369 FREI OB aie ctaisonsvesee ie Seiom anes atane aration 369 Reniceps HbUrdy.rjisses caren yeaiaessnaeg 35 reticulatus; SOX. scoured nun hve a alegtvers 143 AUICIUScagime hae ae ed REM eS A 148 retifer: Catulusenoes doewes nedeacs deercey 31 retiferum;. Seylliumy: <¢.2.e2 oA GRRE SAR 183 PAGE Sphyrna...... ee ee eee 35 CUD UO, is caarasstd Sa cS Reece asec 35 ZY ROTA 3, Sis cucdsyas) is far tener bse vitae SEE 36 Sly Fee og. ssie dco cavagnia ig crspntuntnie aviv @ audi 35 spilopterus, Citharichthys............... 394 spinosus, Chilomycterus ............... 351 DOG OD ciao xem eveweeneaes 351 Squalius vandoisulus................... 87 Squalus Canis: an siinca ob yadlduiseoua sans 32 QTUISEUS: = o45 sewed euinws ewamalade 30 littoralisi..:» 295 ACULCALUB ance cng enw iene 297 BLOYV TOPS nesta deans wanted 296 CAPIINUS sccm ca mmiee 0 CAD. 298 CHTYVSOPSi scrcteanewer ae eae 296 Stephanolepis setifer................... 341 stigmaticus, Ctenogobius............... 365 QOS eds eos hx Guile Rin eke emilee 365 Smaragdus................ 365 Stilbe americana....................... 88 Stizostedionw: ..saacezes sn deepsea reeees 248 americanum............... 248 salmoneum................ 248 VALIEUM ssh 4 ep pas Sao ee ee 248 Stoasodon narinari..................... 46 Stolephorus brownii.................... 133 AMIGO MN, yo bhi decane gc weds 134 - striatus, Anthias....................... 275 Centropristes.................. 279 Epinephelus.................. 275 Stromateide................... gees 221 Sromateus alepidotus sien avai SOS Palin weak Aone eccrine tetas 223 CPIGATI TUS saree slo oman g eerapecs 224 sturio oxyrhynchus, Acipenser........... 55 subligaris, DuleS.ocv2eessnvcerdarctade: 283 subligarius, Centropristes............... 283 SerranuSienrvsesorosersenae sd 283 sucetta, Cyprinus. . So eee: yh gecpe EA Erimyzon ....... oa vawateee AE surinamensis, Holocentrus.............. 284 OURS echt tea oben 284 SV ACHIMT sae te censored Vadottnceredaseece 390 PapIlOsuM..... occ escrwasce awe 390 SNP UPUS a acacanercene hsedaubneo daueaiu es Klee 397 DPIBBIUSA cannons coeaee ewan 397 Synentognathi.................0..000. 156 Syngnathus fuscus..................00. 171 448 PAGE ‘Syngnathus louisiane.................. 171 Peckionus daaguess Moree Gea eet 171 SyNenathide sioie s masa g we eas edad ae how 169 Synodontide#...................e0e eee 138 SNYVOGUS cies wicca dacs sue dat ba gion 4 dees 138 FOBLENSY vicitinsrnd aioe kta eave 139 swannanoa, Etheostoma................ 264 tabacaria, Fistularia............. Bide 168 AR POD xi das Sekt eo dic atatnte seen nae 4 e114 atlanticusy: x s3 eeee4 edt gues ers 114 tau, Batrachus.............0000ccceuee 373 Gadus cise nee sae dies Weee aieae amis 373 OPSANUS! sci sii: ¢ cgissledieus eatarttclen Cones 373 WAMOEA «cic ingh ne chien meh’ borates ae 327 OUUCIS Sala a Ctra aoe tae Seimiean ides ana ab 327 TLOVGOBGEL angus. go macht ginsStaa sik Rlaane cue 4 eterally 61 TeleostOmilt;s scecnscowes wee Ma sre eRe be 49 telescopus, Notropis................... 97 Photogenis.................. 97 teres, Catostomus...................... 73 Teretulus cervinus...................0. 82 terre-nove, Carcharhinus............... 84 Scoliodon................. 34 SyUAlUS sce 2a we deme eee Tetraodontide...............0.0 00 cee Detrapturus: cscs vag wea eam neal 2% BIDIGUSs ss. cuieed doen again sed imperator Tetrodon hispidus.....:..........2004- WEB VIB ALU onsci 5 aide sdoci's Beas ea hos TAO By iia sti scaard iver raiactn 8 458.8 aves spengleri................000. tUPBIGUS. «coed aid aaa naaw es WOtVONATCE so0.03, Sos us cee nek ane keane : occidentalis................. 43 thalassinum, Etheostoma............... 263 Moxostoma............... 79 thalassinus, Nothonotus............... 263° Ptychostomus.............. 79 Chaar diy A WAS ose cars geo doers aed Soeudne 186 SCOMBER: « dae ce sce maeae dune waa 186 thrissa, Opisthonema................... 129 thrissoides, Megalops................... 114 THUROUS eke iddmieraeted a xenarieeepede one cas 188 thy Nnus; . jain weweeeine awn thunnus, Orcynus.............2.....00. thynnus, Scomber Thunnus tiburo, Reniceps...................006. SSPhy IN: esc veatuegatee es ay DSQUAMISS jaf smaliun hon bure te ogen a Torpedo occidentalis................... 43 TVACHiNGtusixcicands.daawnn «Kate eames 212 Carolnwis: ..o.dan 4 ie aus ens ee 214 faleatus. 4c eesocaseencs 213 GlAUCUB; ices ee need enacts 212 COME xs rceenn rena en eed: 213 Trachynotus carolinus..........-.-,.--- 214 OVATUB ccc t tached ot ed 213 rhomboides............... 213 triacanthus, Poronotus................. 224 Rhombus.................. 224 Stromateus............. 224 tribulus, Prionotus..........-........5. 360 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. PAGE. Trichiuride........... 0.00... cece eae 195 “EVIGHUTUS neck svc nariaataoh seal ween a4 ae 195 NOPUULUB asics tem ne gsnenso tien 195 tridens, Lutjanus...................... 281 triftineal, Perea: ass aes 954309 $84 anca a a ak 281 Trigla carolina... 0.60: 6.ccc cence ees 361 CVOlNBSwsntiics tis en gone wareewes 359 Srl ts ans eta dons alate canteen 360 VONPATIS sci. 3 Fi bussleng a ooh arene lard 362 PA SASS 225 5. sales dn eh BEM Soares alla 357 trigonum, Ostracion.................... 345 trigonus, Lactophrys .................. 345 Ostracium...............00.. 345 triqueter, Lactophrys.................. 346 Ostracion ................0., 346 Trisotropis microlepis...... D Sbmaurs Ske 277 Trygon centrura....................00, 44 BAYA ae sseicarsiesd Ses Saute «reais Soames 44 techawytscha, Oncorhynchus............ 416 turgidus, Chilichthys................... 347 Cirrisomus ...............000. 347 DettodOliwiss cries ha'eve seen 22s 347 PYylOsurusici: Oc dss tid dear Bese e beet Se 156 ACUB:: ce vasee sis eeoeh SeGarAS 158 CarIbDBUS.i 1c esis dk cee 158 CATIDDRUB esas vers Scat 0a 159 TANS. eet ose See he aewe ees 159 TM APINUS occ ici acendl oe awa eas 157 TAPHIAOMA. «os sccscne nese na wave 158 tyrannus, Brevoortia.................0. 130 UP sre sides dares wos gusieed es 130 WOON... eiecs wie curve aes sea slave wa 258 BIMOELA. 2 ove cee dens scawes 258 UF oa eciies aes esse sie sane Melts on Ba 2 141 limi pygmea................00. 141 VEMBA: 24 geen gey Os8 6 eS dae 141 umbratilis matutinus, Notropis.......... 99 Um bias yecidiecs es Mars tas gases Seata avn 141 Umbrina littoralis...............0000.. 323 undulatus, Micropogon................. 318 undulata, Perca............ 60. c eee eee 318 unifasciatus, Hemirhamphus........... 161 ee ae eo 161 Upeneus. . i sianioted eg OA maculatus.................... 185 Upsilonphorus y-grecum............... 871 Uranidea caroling.............-...000. 357 uranops, Phenacobius.................. 100 Uranoscopide.... 2.0.6... eee ee eee 371 Uranoscopus y-grecum................. 371 UP OPH y Cie 5 sass defence Sed Sica Spb diaes dese 382 ATU 5 sie pace goal oa wusessa Boe oes 384 TOCIUS hs: onarslde Shaw Ad AE Geer 383 vagrans, Chirostoma................... 178 Kirtlandia.................... 178 laciniata, Kirtlandia........... 178 Menidia............. 178 vampirus, Ceratoptera.................. 47 vandoisulus, Leuciscus................ 87 Sqialius..c 23.80% tee uw vs 87 variegatus, Cyprinodon................. 151 velatum, Myxostoma................... 77 venenosa, Mycteroperca................ 278 POLS ial ico ara Gown va KpaMs 278 vermiculatus, Lucius................... 143 INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. 449 PAGE PAGE vernalis, Clupea.............-...00 000 122) ‘XNiphias Pladwus ico siwenaeaarcseamves » 197 vespertilio, Lophius.................... 40L MiphlidDeca ce sais ve ctacsoine enemas aly iues 196 Ogcocephalus............... 401 Xyrichthys psittacus................... 332 virgatulus, Gobiesox...... A as BR IR ER 374 y-grecum, Astroscopus................. 371 Witreay. LOasecccsas4 oe eu ee Sea Aewecas dad 262 UranoscOpus: s22cuax ceases 371 IPEVGAY, cicvitanse Guetigans aiguaeerdaueeten ane 248 Upsilonphorus............... 371 vitreum, Etheostoma................... 262) Heus CHariss 35.5.4 50.0 we gisuscn ng eunsusdess-eces 207 Stizostedion.................. 248 BEbIPINTIG. 6. cis as ces nae OA Kn gases 209 vitreus, Poecilichthys................... 262 VOICED 2 2ccctgw inn tani ain 4 eaneene ace nema at 210 vittatus, Engraulis..................... VBS. SHOAL COSY cjorawtes cc ace a hepeeacka Beam em arae 378 volitans, Cephalacanthus............... 362 PMU ALIS 5 seen treersrwr a tadevtnnarsittones 378 DactyloptemsyenditetasccscagsO02 ZOAldPencncnntedsn sx ganewmisews eurnge 378 Exoceetus................ 165,166 zonale, Etheostoma.................... 264 Triglavcnencs eave x neuen tele? 362 zonalis, Nothonotus...................- 264 VOMCi rs davney eeeaniwememsade nts antes 208 Peecilichthys................... 264 setipinnis...............2...200- 209 zonata carolinensis, Seriola............. 202 vomer, Argyriosus..................04. 210 PASSO TINE asc incashsiepshcoedvcnisue na aussalensacie 228 Belen Gi ccs 5) akedvseh on, Ota wanes 210 SOrlOl ais conc ccigie nage ace 201, 202 LAGUIB 36.5. eciusnsshss ahceaicn Leeann cts 210 zonatum, Elassoma.................... 228 vulgaris, Anguilla...................... 108 zonatus, Halatractus .................. 202 vulneratum, Etheostoma............... 265 Scombers cic sidtonnas aakinavace oar 201 vulneratus, Peecilichthys............... 265. zygena, Sphyrna cay ni suaees serene s vocals 36 vulpes, Albtllaiiccics cstcs onc accmsin sonny aera 117 Squalussas acy seinsda re poe pees 36 SOX aaptuecssontind suamexsends 117. Zygonectes atrilatus.................... 152 xanthurus, Leiostomus................. 316 NOt cess acne sneemrs eewes 150 MUphiass cones csisdaanreaye ae eeetoreee 4 197 GENERAL INDEX. [For common names of fishes and scientific names of orders, families, genera, and species of fishes, see the preceding special indexes.] PAGE. Acclimatization of fishes........... 413, me Albemarle Sound...................... Alewife fishery ................... 123, 410 AW, Ts Dye. aires: soy dcera: daha asiorie sechetnlee dott ine 2, 16 Alligator River...............0....00.. 5 Appalachian mountain region........... 3 Arandel, William.................00005 3 Ararat River...............0000 00.0... 11 MDT TCG Pe cise ccsena thet stale cae ack i: Street 110 Armstrongy, Nis Bianca xmas nts wi aisha cig die Ses 312 Ash THOMAS) a5 sein cides ginal ailg wins oh aes 29, 33 Atlantic salmon planted................ 416 Baird, Spencer F. .............. 14, 15, 217 Banks: 22a.onenwavkeeenceepeenee qkete 4,6 Bartrams Lakes. os. us tek shade ha weave de Bayer, Hector von...................-. 4s Baye JRAVETS 2,2,8; case aysait saute aan Sale iesl mere 5 Bean, Barton A........... 2, 14, 15, i6, 162 Tarleton H ............. 14, 179, 181 Black'bass fishery...................4. 247 HSE ASHETY ose aaonenarrcnices 280, 281 TGA C i char sreesisietcesaaaruncethntonna aden are 8 Blue-fish fishery .................. 218, 410 Bogue SOuN Ge ccd acca tthn masts ge ged npie 6 Bollman, Charles H.................... 14 Bowers, George Mosivasveie xeagenaee an 1. Brickell, JOHN ante anna en a Ha cee we 18 Brimley, Cus Saag bicsae neces 3, 15, 155, 269 H.H.....3, 15, 17, 37, 198, 199, 214 284, 299 Broad River. iesc ecco estes 11, 12 Brooks;, Wo Iso isin eecinacgee eaibiaana an gave 14 Butter-fish fishery..................... 225 Cabe,D.P............ 15, 87, 92, 101, 104 Cape Fear River...................00.. 10 Capehart, W.R.............. 3, 15, 59, 126 Carp: fishenyies cicnccoree acattt end aeaiaciinn meat 107 UOEPOA UGE Qiees.n svn say earn gia onsen nak 415 Catalogue of fishes..................... 25 Catawha- Rivet. ..ecinscsqyxeswareeageds 11 Catfish fisheryicccaycssaepercakyeawdes 62 Cavally fishery..si2