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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES
MADE TO THE
Compliments of the
Commissioners of Inland Fisheries.
JANUARY SESSION, 1910.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
E. L. FREEMAN COMPANY, STATE PRINTERS.
1910.
FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES
MADE TO THE
CHEN DA ASS KyMi Bi y
AT ITS
JANUARY SESSION, 1910.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
E. L. FREEMAN COMPANY, STATE PRINTERS,
1910.
a ee
livd dd ex Ql aed le
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, at its January Session, 1910:
The ‘Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their
annual report for the year 1909.
The programme of work of your Commission during the past year
included:
The stocking of ponds and streams with fresh-water fishes.
The distribution of copies of the laws of the State relating to
fisheries.
The collection of data and statistics relating to the commercial
fisheries.
The enforcement of the State laws governing the fisheries, particu-
larly those relating to the lobster fisheries.
The continued examination of the physical and biological condi-
tions of Narragansett Bay with reference to the development of the
fisheries.
The exhibition of the results of sea-farming experiments for the
purpose of awakening interest in the development of the fishery
industry.
The active co-operation with the fisheries authorities of other States,
of the national government, and of other countries.
The propagation of lobsters at the rearing station at Wickford.
The continued scientific investigation of fisheries problems for the
purpose of ascertaining fundamental facts upon which new and effect-
ive methods of developing the fisheries industries shall be established.
The financial statement for the year 1909 is as follows:
4 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
State of Rhode Island in account with the Commission of Inland Fisheries.
1909. } DEBIT.
Oct. 11. To paid American Fisheries Company for 40,000 year-
ling trout, as per voucher on file with the State
Z/-\UUKG DTG) ADE Re eee Mermtne AAPA ana es cheer Oe od i cee $1,000 00
Dec. 31. To expenses distributing same, as per ditto ........... 85 94
To expenses of Commissioners, as per ditto ........... 681 53
To services and expenses of deputies under lobster law,
BS PEL GItbOs es 4st). oo eee ease ete Oe aoe ere 3,103 10
Mowaboratony.as) per CuttOpe reer eee 6,836 39
Toteggilobsters,'as sper ditto: scattae eeeeee eee * 330 13
To legal expenses, as per ditto. .-cera eee tae 75 00
$12,072 09
1909. CREDIT.
By received from State Treasurer.................... $12,072 09
STOCKING STREAMS.
The continual restocking of the fresh-water streams of the State
has been,a part of the programme of your Commission ever since
its creation forty years ago.
These many years experience has indicated that the most efficient
method of stocking under the conditions of our State is the liberation
of young fishes of considerable size, ‘‘fingerlings,” from a year to a
year and a half old. In pursuance of this method, and by enforce-
ment as far as possible of the laws regulating the methods of fishing,
the time of year when fish may be caught, and the size of the fish
legitimately kept, your Commission has been able to provide good
angling in many of the widely distributed streams of the State.
The trout fishing during the early portion of the open season, which
extends from April 1st to July 15th, was:good. The severe drought
during the summer left the streams unusually low. After the middle
of October, when the streams had again filled, forty thousand ex-
ceptionally fine yearling trout were purchased and widely distributed
~
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. oO
under the supervision of your Commissioners. The trout reached the
streams in excellent condition, and in many large shipments not a
single specimen was injured or apparently weakened in the transit
from the hatchery to the streams in which they were set free. Your
Commission acknowledges, on behalf of the State, its obligation to
the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad for their courtesy
in allowing free transportation of the trout and the messenger who
accompanied them. Acknowledgment and thanks are also due the
fishermen who assisted gratis in the work of distribution.
DISTRIBUTION OF COPIES OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE RELATING TO
FISHERIES.
Even the best of laws regulating the fisheries, particularly the hook-
and-line fisheries in various and widely distributed streams often
remote from settlements, cannot be rigidly enforced unless they have
the active support of those in whose interest the laws are made. The
Commissioners must have the intelligent co-operation of the fishing
public in this vital matter, and to this end copies of the laws, with
index and tables of essential points, have been issued in convenient
pocket editions and widely distributed. Copies of the laws can
always be had on application to the secretary of the Commission.
Your Commission was created in the interests of the fisherman,
and has been single hearted in its endeavor to maintain and improve
all the fisheries within its jurisdiction. Its success has in no small
measure been due to the appreciation of this fact by the intelligent
representatives of all classes of fishermen.
THE COLLECTION OF DATA AND STATISTICS RELATING TO THE COM-
MERCIAL FISHERIES.
Dry and unreadable as statistics proverbially seem, they have at
times a mighty importance in such matters as the commercial fish-
eries. They constitute one of the chief means of diagnosis of the
condition of the industry, the pulse by which improvement or decline
6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
is indicated. In the case of the commercial fisheries it is particu-
larly and especially important to follow the improvement or decline
for the very reason that the causes of the decrease or increase are
either frankly unknown or much in dispute, while additional regu-
lation of the various fisheries is inevitable, because of the increasing
demands upon the fisheries and because of the pressure of conflicting
interests. The long-standing and notorious dispute between the
anglers and the trap fishermen as to the effect of trap fishing upon the
permanent supply of fishes is one of very many cases in point. The
question might reasonably be settled by the accumulation of reliable
data to the equal satisfaction of both interests. Certainly drastic
measures involving the elimination of an important industry should
not depend upon rhetorical presentations or legal subtleties. In the
specific case of the possible effect of the firing of heavy guns at Fort.
Greble upon the run of fishes in the bay, reliable statistics of the run of
former years and of other conditions would have been of great and.
substantial value.
Your Commission fortunately has been able to submit statistical
evidence of the extraordinary improvement of the lobster industry,
in consequence of its endeavors to build up the industry, which has.
not only pointed the way to subsequent action but has made clearer
than ever the necessity for reliable data concerning all the fishes under
its administration. Complete and reliable statistics are difficult to
collect, especially in such matters as free fisheries, and can only be.
obtained with the active co-operation of the fisherman. Your
Board has for many years gathered and recorded data and _ has.
published regularly parts of this material in its annual reports.
The trap fishing in the bay and other waters of the State is one of
the most important industries. During the past twelve years the
statistics of location and ownership have been annually collected and
published in detail in the reports of your Commission. The increase
in the number of traps during these years is remarkable, and if it is.
an index of the growing demand for the products of the industry, is.
significant of its future importance to the State and the people.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 7
Leaving out of account the traps at Block Island, numbering, this
year, eight, the following table gives a summary of the numbers in
the consecutive years from 1898 to 1909, inclusive:
Year. No. of traps. Year. No. of traps.
MSO Siac ate ons coe eee 119 LOO A ear a skeet lag ne eat tens 214
NOOR aes ars caecum 3 ete et 121 ISTO aya! Be aro t Aeon etn tne ric eae 234
NG OQ Be ram atte oh Sis rere he 135 GOCE Ae eee sarin Mate 243
MOON ea acts hie clans Si cieeae 151 AS (ered Peas ai brs. Beemore 265
MO OZER A Sede, scene cto siete hears 161 EGOS Sa atc seid cs eyes os 271
IO OSPR Yass mie seatsites aces steve 195 TO ere ceo mean Ss 269
It is to be noted that the growth in numbers has been constant
and fairly even up to 1908; the yearly increase being 2, 14, 16, 10,
34, 19, 20, 9, 22, and 6. During the last season the number has
diminished by two. As two additional traps were set at Block Island,
the total for the State is the same as for 1908. The increase has been
general in the various portions of the State, though in some quarters
it has been greater than in others. This is indicated in the following
table:
Prov. East West Mt. Hope Sakonnet Fast Off
Year. River. Greenwich. Passage. Bay. River. Passage. Shore.
SOS a Ncrecaime oe 4 6 26 9 34 15 25
W90SSsaceanecs. 7 38 ay 12 37 22 73
S10 ,0) 5 cate oe eel 7 31 32 2, 88 26 13
Unfortunately there are no accurate statistics showing the actual
amount of the yearly catch of fish in the traps, and their value. Some
general idea of the importance of the fishery, however, may be in-
ferred from the fact that the shipment from Newport alone by regular
transportation lines was, for 1909, 46,031 barrels of fish, exclusive
of lobsters and other shell-fish and large fish like sturgeon, horse-
mackerel, swordfish, ete.
The statistics collected by Wm. T. Luth, chief deputy under the
lobster law, relating to the lobster fishery during four years were
summarized in the general report of the Commission last year, pages
8 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
7 to 9, and given more in detail on page 29 and following. Making
due allowance for inaccuracy these figures show an extraordinary and
steady increase in the total catch for the five years, from 376,994
pounds in 1904 to 1,471,344 pounds in 1908. The total catch for
the year 1909 was slightly less than that for the year 1908, and the
aumber of pots was slightly increased.
The following tabulated statement summarizes, for purposes of
comparison, a portion of the data respecting the lobster catch:
Total catch Number
Year. in pounds. Newport. of pots.
PG ae Sache el, say ea 376,994 226,994 7,935
Mesa ok MO 8 SU dO 449,300 301,659 9,180
OO GS ase atcaee aichne Riches Soca ecs eRe REN nee 671,914 353,573 11355
TAG iste eae Sasa cain cg obs Me area eure 929,423 581,189 12,104
IC) Of Reeas ein COMM RDO OR ARME OR ET Soe Aton Acad 1 1,471,344 665,009 20,011
NOC Ss eek er REET oe ren NA ri cid cree gates 1,342,983 757,837 23,220
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.
The enforcement of the law covering the fresh-water fishes is for
the most part undertaken by your Commissioners themselves, and by
volunteer deputies who serve without pay in the interests of better
fishing. The enforcement of the lobster law is a different kind of a
proposition and involves continuous watchfulness and hard, disagree-
able work. Two deputies under the lobster law have been employed
constantly, and four during the fishing season.
Twelve prosecutions have been made and fines imposed and paid
under the lobster law as follows: (the names of those fined are
omitted).
Newport, Jume'26, G:short lobsters ote a. s-)ck i wes gases aur ete uneiemne <i $30 00
Sakonnet: July 30; a shortdotester si: ahi < thc eye a: te omy ayeter s Rae 5 00
Se MicCopobaretny Afblhy BXOE Gi oor) MOVES ooo dona endo oocadae on cdsoecsumee 15 00
Sakonnet July 31, 6 short lobsters............. SNe ee Neo lm eke 30 00
Sakonnet, July 31, Woishortlobstersite cacti thew. sot ef ahe atelier wt 75 00
Hope Island, August 10; Gishont jlobstersics,. mit: 40 --12 ese aioe = 30 00
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 9
Newport, August 23, 2 brushed, 1 egg lobster..................... $15 00
Newport, September 11, 2 brushed lobsters....................... 10 00
Block Island, September 16, 2 brushed lobsters. ................... 10 00
Blockalslamdyuly 10 Gishort lobsters: <3.) .80 6.5. ems Cea oe ee ee 30 00
Block Island, September 20, 10 short lobsters..................... 50 00
Saunderstown, November 22, fishing in close season................ 20 00
$320 00
The main purpose of the work of the deputies is to keep the law
from being broken and therefore the value of their services bears no
necessary relation to the number of arrests and fines.
The provisions of the lobster law and the strenuous attempt of
your Commission to enforce them protect the honest fishermen against
ignorant and unscrupulous competitors. The lobster law which
has been in force for several years and the law as amended last year
and now in force, were drawn up solely in the interests of the lobster
fishery. The provisions are clear and simple. The lobsterman who
breaks the law commits the offence against his fellow fishermen.
The well-worn excuse of former times, ‘‘someone else will sell short
lobsters if I don’t,” no longer has a shadow of justification. For these
reasons no sympathy need be wasted upon the lobstermen convicted
of keeping short lobsters or of brushing eggs. |
The new lobster law passed by the General Assembly May 9,
1909, in substitution for the former law, took effect January 1, 1910.
The essential provisions of this law are, in effect, that only citizens of
the State may engage in this branch of the free fishery; that all per-
sons engaged in the fishery must be licensed; that the method of
determining the legal length of the lobster is modified so that the
body shell alone is measured. The law was passed by the Assembly
after several long hearings before the Committee, at which representa-
tives of the various lobster interests, including the alien fishermen,
freely discussed the provisions of the law from every point of view.
It is a significant fact that the law as passed received the hearty and
almost unanimous support of the American lobster fishermen and the
2
10 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
wholesale dealers, as well as of your Commission and their deputies.
The passage of the law was strenuously opposed by the alien lobster-
men, who were ably represented at the hearings by delegates and
attorneys.
In view of a wide-spread and persistent misconstruction of the
motives of your Commission in recommending the passage of this
law, it may be stated with propriety that the clause limiting the
privileges of the lobster fishery was recommended, not as a blow aimed
at a particular nationality of foreigners, but as a bona fide attempt to
secure for the citizens of the State the benefits of a free fishery main-
tained and developed at the expense of the State. Also in regard to
the second section of the law, which provides that your Commission
may grant licenses, subject to the regulation of the act, to whom they
may think proper: the apparently plausible objection to the law has
been raised ostensibly on the ground that the Commissioners are given
too much discretionary power. That this hypothetical bugbear of the
possibility of arbitrary and unfair discrimination would be raised for
various purposes was, of course, foreseen, but the clause was recom-
mended solely to give practical and effective means of enforcing the
law for the better protection of the lobster fisheries. Everyone
familiar with the subject knows that the laws regulating the free
fisheries are in any case exceptionally difficult to enforce, and every
practical means should be used to make enforcement possible.
PHYSICIAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE BAY.
All the fisheries industries depend upon the animal and vegetable
contents of the water and upon the physical conditions, such as
temperature and density of the water and the character of the bottom
and shores. Your Commission has for several years conducted
investigations in regard to these conditions in the bay, and is con-
vinced that further work in this direction is justified as the only sound
basis for control of the fisheries resources. The conditions of food
production upon land and in the water are characteristically opposite
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 11
in many essential respects. A great portion of the vegetable pro-
duction of the land is available at once as food for man; practically
none from the sea is so utilized. (In Japan, however, the sea-weed is
converted into edible form by an industry amounting annually to
several million dollars.) The sea food which is available at once
for man consists of animals, but the thousands upon thousands of
tons of animals produced annually in our own waters and used as
food depend, in turn, upon marine plants for their food. Again, as
opposed to the conditions upon land, the plants which serve as the
bulk of the supply of food are for the most part practically invisible.
They are not stationary, attached to the ground, and of considerable
individual size, but are floating and microscopic. These vegetable
organisms, moreover, are not confined to one surface, as upon the
land, but are distributed, though unequally, throughout the whole
depth of the waters of the bay. ~ Some idea of the numerical abundance
of these plants may be had by those who have seen the phenomenon
of ‘red water” in the upper parts of our bay. The red, soupy appear-
ance of the water, miles in extent, has been shown to be due to the
abnormal abundance of one species of these swimming microscopic
plants which normally occur as one of the invisible components of
the plant food of the bay. In samples of red water taken during a
visitation of the plague some years ago, it was estimated that there
were over five millions per quart of sea water.
In every part of the world where a scientific study of the fisheries
is pursued, investigation of this microscopic floating population of the
sea, under the general name of “plankton,” is being carried on.
Your Commissioners have taken their part in this investigation for
the sake of our own interests and are employing, besides the standard
methods and apparatus, some other methods peculiarly adapted to
the unique advantages of our station.
The investigation of the conditions which determine the ‘“‘setting”’
of clams, oysters, etc., are involved in this plankton work. The
solution of these mysteries would be of great economic value.
a2 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Your Commission is also collecting data upon the occurrence,
distribution, breeding habits, and economic value of the various
animal forms found in the bay. One of the most interesting and
important sections of this work is that relating to the fishes, for
here is brought out in the clearest manner the complex relations
between the occurrence and abundance of fishes and the physical
and biological factors governing their breeding, rate of growth,
methods of feeding, and migration. The observations bearing on the
natural history of fishes are placed on record and published at such
times as seem desirable. In 1905 was published “‘ A List of the Fishes
of Rhode Island.”’ This contained a record of all the fishes known to
have been taken in the waters of the State, together with such data
regarding them as had been collected by your Commission and a
summary of the most important facts of their natural history.
This list of fishes proved to be so generally useful, not only as a
matter of record but also for reference purposes, that the edition of
reprinted copies has now for some time been exhausted. A new list
of the fishes, which includes all the information available up to the
year 1910, has been prepared for publication. Particular attention
has been paid to the collection of information regarding eggs and
young stages of the different species of fishes, since our knowledge of
these phases of the natural history of fishes is widely scattered through
a great number of special papers and has never previously been
brought together and arranged in an easily acessible form. Into
this list are also incorporated observations made by the Commission
upon the rate of growth of some of our common fishes.
With respect to its mariné fish fauna, this State is situated in an
exceptionally favorable location. Cape Cod forms the general
boundary between the Arctic and the temperate faune of the
Atlantic coast, and therefore most of the species common to both are
found in greater or less abundance in our waters. The Gulf Stream,
also, runs within a hundred and fifty miles of the Rhode Island coast,
and therefore many tropical and subtropical species are common, and
sometimes abundant, within the limits of the State. At a compar-
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 13
atively short distance from our coast, also, is the edge of the conti-
nental shelf of the ocean bottom where it begins to slope off into the
great depths of the Atlantic; this region is the source of the deep sea
forms, like the tile-fish, which are an important part of the fauna of
the State, particularly in the off-shore waters. It is therefore not
surprising to learn that a large number of different species of marine
fishes have been reported as present in the waters of this State. The
fishes enumerated in the present list represent 199 species, belong-
ing to 175 genera and to 84 families. Of these about 30 are important
food fishes; about 70 may be said to be rare as far as the present
records go; of these latter, about 30 have been taken but once as far
as is authentically recorded. The type specimens of 6, or perhaps 7,
species were taken in Rhode Island waters. Of the species named, 24
are exclusively fresh-water forms and 175 are marine; of the latter, 14
regularly spend a part of the year in fresh water for spawning or
other purposes.
The number of marine species will undoubtedly be increased in the
future by the capture on our coast of strays from the abyssal fauna
of the depths of the Atlantic, from the tropical fauna of the Gulf
Stream, and from the Arctic fauna of the region north of Cape Cod.
To these categories belong the 40 specimens taken at Woods Hole,
but not yet recorded from Rhode Island, as well as the 25 species
taken in New York waters which have not been recorded from this
State. Of the fishes mentioned in the Rhode Island list, one species
has not been reported from Woods Hole, three other species have not
been taken in New York waters, and ten have not been taken at
either locality. The very rare species which sometimes stray to
our southern New England shores number over a hundred. They
should not, however, strictly speaking, be considered as a part of the
fauna of the State. Yet their occasional occurrence is of interest,
since by their presence we gain information regarding the geograph-
ical distribution and migrations of the species in question, and more
especially regarding the physical and biological conditions of the State
and the adjoining regions.
i4 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
The shores of the bay from Field’s Point to the Bonnet were
examined for the extent of the yearly clam set. The set was, as a
rule, poor, and in oaly one place was it very abundant. In nearly
every year there are limited areas discovered in which the set is very
abundant—as has been shown in previous reports—but it is not
possible to predict where this will be. Last year the only place in
which a great abundance was discovered was a small area near Field’s
Point, about an acre in extent. Here, toward the last of September,
the small clams about half an inch long averaged about three hundred
to the square foot.
In order to demonstrate again the feasibility of clam culture, your
Commission, through the Wickford station, transplanted from this
area to various comparatively barren areas, taken out in the name of
the Commission, about fifty bushels of these small clams.
The State of Rhode Island has a unique interest in the soft-shell
clam, not only on account of the famous institution—the clambake—
but because through your Commission it was the pioneer in the dis-
covery of the possibilities and the methods of clam culture. The
results of the work which your Commission commenced more than
ten years ago and continued under Chapter 174 of the General Laws
have been confirmed, extended, and exploited in other States—nota-
bly in Massachusetts. For these reasons, and because the clam in-
dustry, at present at low ebb, has splendid possibilities, we recom-
mend the question of regulation of the clam fishery to your serious
consideration. Under the prevailing conditions the clam product of
the State is an insignificant fraction of what it might be, and does
not begin to supply the clams for home consumption. Occasionally,
after an exceptionally good set of clams, the condition is temporarily
improved, but even so the clams are dug or destroyed by digging be-
fore they are half grown.
With respect to the most feasible means of reinstating the clam
industry, the expedient of closing a portion of the shore for a term
of two or more years and then opening it to the public, under suitable
restrictions, might be commended, but it is impracticable. Nothing
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 15
short of a standing army of honest and enthusiastic wardens could
enforce such a regulation. The only feasible solution of the problem
yet proposed is, we believe, the leasing, to individuals, of the shore
rights for the cultivation of clams. According to the proposed law
before the legislature of Massachusetts, the cities or towns are given
the discretion in the matter of leasing. In this way consideration of
local interests is guaranteed. The objection to the leasing of a part
of clam grounds to individuals on the theory of the rights of the free
fisheries loses force and justification when the particular fishery is
depleted almost to the vanishing point and no one is getting the
benefit of what might be a considerable industry.
An extraordinary visitation of small ‘‘clams” oecurred in April of
last year, and continued during the summer, at Easton’s Beach,
Newport. These were not, however, the soft-shelled clam, but the
young of the beach clam, or sea clam, ‘‘ Mactra solidissima.’’ These
mollusks, an inch more or less in diameter, were cast upon the
beach by successive storms, where they died in the sun and were an.
intolerable nuisance. They were carted off by the ton and deposited
on the sand dunes.
EXHIBITION OF SEA—FARMING.
Your Commissioners believe that the importance of the present.
fisheries industry and the possibilities of aquiculture in its various
forms should be brought to the notice and comprehension of the public
in every legitimate way. Accordingly this year, as for several years.
past, they have co-operated with the authorities of the South County
Fair, at Kingston, in installing a so-called ‘‘Sea-farming Exhibit.’
After considerable experimentation a salt-water aquarium has been
installed which is rather a unique success. For, though the sea water
has to be carted in street sprinklers for several miles and then used
over and over, and though the whole equipment is out of commission
except during fair week, the water is kept clean with good circulation,
and the many specimens of marine fish of various kinds live through-
out the week in excellent condition. In fact, the mortality is lower
16 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
than in the case of the fresh-water fish in adjoining aquaria The
secret of success lies in continually filtering water through a thick
sand filter and in keeping it cold by the use of ice in specially devised
compartments of the aquaria.
The experimental station and hatchery at Wickford is a continual
exhibit, and the entertainment of the many hundreds of visitors is no
small item in the demands upon the time of the staff. However,
this time is well expended, for it extends correct information regarding
the fisheries problems in the most effective manner.
CO—OPERATION WITH THE FISHERIES AUTHORITIES OF OTHER STATES.
Co-operation with the Fish Commissioners of other States is one of
the duties imposed upon this Commission by the legislative Act which
created it. The specification of this policy as a duty of the Com-
mission is a tribute to the good sense of those who drew up this Act
in 1871. For years your Commissioners have co-operated actively,
. not only with the Fish Commissioners of other States, but also with
those of the United States and with those of many foreign countries,
and have gained thereby valuable experience and assistance, as well
as much-cherished recognition of their scientific results.
During the past year, at the request of the United States Bureau of
Fisheries, an exhibit illustrating the growth of the clam and the
scallop was installed with the government exhibit at the Alaska-
Yukon International Exhibition at Seattle.
At the last meeting of the American Fisheries Society one of your
Commissioners was again elected to an important office.
Your Commissioners have been in correspondence with the Com-
missioners of Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut regarding the
betterment of the fisheries whose interests are common to all. Your ,
Commissioners take this occasion to express their obligation especially
to the Commissioners of Connecticut for valuable assistance in the
lobster experiments.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. tre
PROPAGATION OF LOBSTERS.
At the experimental laboratory at Wickford your Commission has
continued its work upon the hatching and rearing of lobsters to the
bottom stage, and has made further experiments in attempting to
improve the methods. The problem undertaken eleven years ago
was to discover a method by which newly hatched lobsters could be
protected until they reached the bottom stage. This has been
accomplished, and for several years the annual output of such lob-
sters has been many times greater than that from any of the several
stations in this country and abroad, where efforts have been made to
do this. With the report of your Commissioners of last year was
published a resumé of this work from its beginning, to which you are
respectfully referred for a full description of the apparatus and
methods and an account of the experiments and results. During the
last year a number of new experiments were carried on in the en-
deavor to further improve the method. These met, as usual, with
varying degrees of success. A new pattern of the apparatus was
tried in a part of the plant and gave greater facility in handling the
heavy cars. Certain experiments made with reduced speed of the
propellers and with varying conditions of light yielded experience at
the expense of the lobsters. Some of the old floats which have been
in use for several years are too far gone for further use, and new ones
are being built on the improved pattern to take their places.
Experiments were made during the summer looking to the installa-
tion of electric power to take the place of the rather cumbrous power
and driving system now in use. After many trials and failures, a
feasible scheme was finally put into operation on a small seale and
run for some time. It did not, however, seem safe to change the
whole installation until further tests could be carried out. Such an
installation as is contemplated would greatly extend the possibilities
of this method of fish culture which has proved uniquely successful
at Wickford and which has received favorable recognition at home
and abroad.
3
18 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Some progress was made toward overcoming a difficulty which is
always encountered in rearing lobsters, namely that of the growth of
parasitic organisms upon the shell. These fuzzy growths interfere
with the movements of the swimming fry and with their feeding and
molting. Since the growth consists mainly of plant organisms to
which copper is fatal, experiments were made, at the suggestion of Mr.
Barnes, the superintendent of the station, with copper paint on the
inside of the cars. By this expedient, and by proper shading of the
ears from the direct rays of the sun, the cleanest, healthiest, and larg-
est lobsters ever seen at the station were obtained. The cars so
painted were much more easily cleaned, as comparatively little
erowth and silt accumulated upon the sides and bottom.
One of the opportunities for further improvement of the rearing
methods lies in the matter of the feeding the fry. A great number
of experiments has been tried in previous years with a great variety
of food, of which beef seemed to be the most satisfactory. Last year
eggs were given a thorough trial. Paradoxical as it may seem, eggs
are the cheapest food which has been found at all satisfactory. The
eggs used are not of the freshly laid and strictly gilt-edged variety,
but are broken eggs sold by the gallon. These were scrambled with-
out the use of grease and then finely ground and beaten up into fine
particles. There is no waste, and therein is the economy. The fry
are extremely fond of this food, and its bright color in the water
attracts their attention. They seemed to thrive upon this diet as
well as upon that of meat. Maggots were also tried as food and
seemed to be fairly satisfactory in the case of the older fry. The
maggots remain alive in the salt water for many hours, and living food
has its advantages.
The total output of bottom stage lobsters was 178,542, which was
considerably less than that of the year before, and, though much
greater than that of any other station, it was nevertheless a great
disappointment. The season opened most auspiciously. The equip-
ment and preparation for the work were more nearly complete than
ever before, and throughout the season greater care than ever was
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 19
given to the young lobsters. Many fry were sacrificed in some of the
experiments, but this would by no means account for the decrease in
output. In spite of the special preparations and careful attention,
a combination of adverse climatic conditions balked the attempt to
surpass previous records. The previous fall and winter had been
unusually mild, so that the eggs matured and began to hatch some
two weeks before their usual time. At first this gave great encourage-
ment, but during June the weather was exceptionally cold and wet
and the fry developed with extreme slowness, taking nearly twice
the usual time to reach the bottom stage. This had the double dis-
advantage of giving the fry twice the opportunity to devour one
another and of keeping the cars occupied so that newly hatched fry
could not be handled to advantage. As though to put the finishing
touch to the adverse conditions, the temperature rose suddenly during
the last of the hatching season, so that all remaining eggs were hatched
long before the normal time, thus cutting short a valuable part of the
season.
CONTINUED INVESTIGATION.
For more than ten years your Commissioners have systematically
and continuously conducted scientific investigations of fisheries
problems. They have through their work won a creditable place
among the Commissions and scientific bodies at home and abroad,
and have been fortunate in getting many results of immediate practi-
cal application as well as laying foundations for final results.
Besides the investigations recorded in previous reports of your
Commission, and those outlined in the present report, there are in
progress a series of investigations upon the identification of the
young and the rate of growth of the fishes and invertebrates of
economic value. In order to control the conditions of artificial
propagation or of natural increase these problems must be solved.
There is no evident reason why, for example, the set of clams and
oysters must forever be left as a matter of chance. Control of the
20 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
set and of the rate of growth of these two species alone would yield
annually more money than the investigations of your Commission
would have cost in twenty years.
It is characteristic of scientific investigation, as our former col-
league, Professor Bumpus, so strongly contended, that results do
not appear all at once or at any scheduled time, and that the most
valuable applications arise from unexpected sources. The success of
the scientific investigations and their application which your Com-
mission has achieved is due in large measure to persistent effort on
the part of your Commissioners and to the continued support of the
State.
THE COLLECTION OF DaTA AND STATISTICS RELATING TO THE Com-
MERCIAL FISHERIES.
The difficulty of collecting complete and accurate statistics of
the total catch of fishes has been remarked upon in previous reports.
There are so many and so various channels through which fishes
reach the market or the private consumer that it is practically im-
possible to keep track of them all. This difficulty is not peculiar
to Rhode Island, but applies to the fishing industry generally.
Nevertheless, a fair indication of the relative status of the fisheries
is to be had by comparing the statistics taken year after year from
the same sources. With this word of explanation, the following
tables of the catch of fishes and lobsters, based upon the records of
dealers and transportation lines, are, as heretofore, submitted:
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
21
Table Showing the Amount of Fish, Lobsters, and Other Sea Products Shipped
Monthly from Newport by the Principal Transportation Companies
During the Year 1909.
1908.
Fish.
1,553
1,582
1,9284
1,427
14,981
12,1062
3,018
1,765
1,380
2,283
1,886
1,821
46,031
Lobsters.
|
al@|&
a |S) t| &
rey Wee ales
er le) |) as Wy =
ie) M NM ™
5
66) .
43 Ol esi
HEY 7A PreH
PUI 25 ls.
See lee
1 DALE 2
Hye
145} 29} 61) 6
| Horsemackerel.
Oo
No oO D>
| Sharks.
No Gh
| Clams.
14
| Oysters.
22
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERFES.
Table Showing Shipment oj Fish, Lobsters, and Other Sea Products from Newport
jor the Last Twenty-Three Years.
Barrels Fish.
16,657
15,033
19,306
8,933
18,032
26,832
24,452
17,769
24,622
20,425
52,098
34,065
34,917
38,184
50,500
53,986
54,384
62,106
50,127
60,855
59,674
48,814
46,031
810,802
Barrels Lobsters.
| Barrels Quahaugs.
% 233
i=}
“6 1 (eo)
Sr Ske lee ee
ef Pal eal eee aa, leet hee aes
E/EElE| E218
a lglialalz lz
Y eeesea! 143
ones 45
Al apa 74).
pea 2 162.
Ul are ih 166).
yaa a. eee 21
Rae 179].
Balen |e 164| 11)
45| 8... 554|
122| 80} 3] 23| 723] 26|
17} 15} 2| 6| 811] 11
322 2 8| 24| 263] 13)
287| 23|...| 21 198] 3|
145| 14|...| 29] 61] 6|
1,323 103) 3,564| 70|
umber Horse-
mackerel.
| N
| Barrels Eels.
| Barrels Oysters.
18
. g
i) eSalies
Blals
i—] i—| i—|
ov oO o
Q Q =o)
Hi8ig
=) t=) =
|e
Gal awe aed
2| 12
1] 12).
5| 3}.
Palate
8 33| 2
see
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 23
The Number of Pounds of Lobster Caught in Rhode Island Waters for the Season
of 1909, Compared with 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908.
Compiled by Wm. T. Luth, Chief Deputy Commissioner.
Fish Markets. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909.
Wholesale
Hep cGinn’... 8. fs 50. 2s 113,420 147,464 182,462 209,204 174,380 106,507
CyB Andersons. : s.s0- 34,074 31,963 63,3898 158,427 123,780 121,000
PMG Xa AGAIKES Sette gD es en) a ao ep Rua ee 71,376 125,586 128,803
eae EL TMIMON ewe c aN ests Soe ail Sasere’ | aiccmee 33,568 101,000 75,000
WniontWobster'Copga ter tom Sadao. wahietg asg.s4 “Roace. 141,395
Retail.
Saloons and Restaurants. 6,700 45,436 41,850 37,814 51,763 49,444
Burlingame & Carry..... 12,000 8,079 6,480 6,300 7,743 7,645
Tollefsen & Dewitt...... 10,000 15,000 15,100 16,000 18,000 22,163
Oh) JANIS] Oat oh Aue en 15,000 20,6836 11,500 19,200 17,766 20,000
EO WAGW Watts neve ahs 9,000 8,004 7,348 7,000 6,291 6,500
ide (Ch Silt nesase coda ne 9,500 10,000 10,185 6,000 4,500 5,000
IHS tELOLOOKS anata Se 5,000 6,525 6,550 6,550 6,500 6,500
Wanecastenae. «sissies os OOO Aasoeetael) crate fl eee 02). ee
BS MawitOme roe. < S00 gyche uss 6,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000
Mest 7s LOR AOR SEY Cant Aone OR NET a Oe SRE oR ITE eel aC OPS NS 5,000 8,999
FS tel Ac 7 eae en 800 550 DOOM Ae ae beoehe Coe
C1071 | a ene SOO ce Sele ar) Acs nk ee Nee Ae ar
POUUBIAIIN Sr arate tte, PN Tu hetS e USN 8 ee 1,800 zi 0) 0 ae a
Pestle n CAL AVOLCS a ooo ais8, OMe sisccclete | J cholanka | ee oh Sef 28,000
AIG ST. SUTRTT ETS SRR ee ARR ear ck mae Em ts Me 11,681
Wis Cin 0 5 NRE ee 2A ae ote oe en er ei a ene 11,200
226,994 301,659 353,573 581,189 665,009 757,837
Lobsters shipped on commission by fishermen to New York........... 61,768
Wholesale Dealers.
Cap. J. A. Pettey, Sakon-
NOt. WV Pysceyss Aercereee . mrUER 897,641 163,341 193,243 191,218 191,731
es CR Witlcox. MIVErtONwers Gen.ca. co Wack deo lt eakoat Stee 286,724 91,107
Block Island, ]
Narragansett Pier,
Wateh Hill, |
Point Judith, |
} 150,000 100,000 155,000 155,000
377,004 499,300 671,914 929,432
24 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Wholesale Dealers. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909.
YSIS USE 0X0 IS ee IER i deen EA) | OEY 248,330 236,000
Br Ap = a ae I ty 66,318
Watch Hill, { j
DVS N Noo te cc so.cln nid. 4 evteegesee Sane nee ee Oe es 1,342,993
1909.
LIST OF TRAPS AND OWNERS.
Off-Shore Traps. (See Charts.)
PMOCCESON,. iC, Svar eek maye ht Wa ines sameeren West Cormorant Rock.
Pmcersons C.. steamer: aries atts orem eee South Sakonnet Light.
mulantic Trappe Compamyes vic. eo atle ao South Cormorant Rock
Atlantic Trapping Company (00)*.......... South Sakonnet Light.
Atlantic Trapping Company............. South Narragansett Pier.
Agantic: Trapping Company. (00)... .. “eae Saas: South Seal Rock.
PMeMTA OT Cy p AnP0" s Renh M RL, O a Breakwater, Point Judith.
Poere Gta. WV OO) cere ete etter Se Late. Aaa Qeategen her eae Seal Ledge.
JE ET GASN eae OA I oe nonce MR Ma obras A.D) 21, South Seal Rock.
Remeeinrhrnieainys (Woe at sg Qt eleaid eons ce Sin es West Cormorant Rock.
Iesewnell “ee Church. |. visa ey aye er ane Coggeshall’s Ledge.
JE C6 02) |G RR Rr eerie Be Lal te APSR, Sree rae Lower Pier.
Pm e lis oe. LS. 2) s/t ene eagerly see North Narragansett Pier.
rea Ji OO io. <ic5us- ins SUR nee hc tcalet geno Se South Seal Rock.
CAC TAG) OOS A RR Re Ms 8 GST MOTT CRE Sea MER South Ochre Point..
(Ou SEG eA nm em ee SEO le alg Soa South Ochre Point.
HERON, ig vis an cia 00 ee eRe oe ea Coggeshall’s Ledge.
re oF By s osi2ra Lance ete er West Breakwater, Point Judith.
Coutrell, George: (00) i725. oer deers 6 ee ee cee Seal Rock.
Waarell, (George... . 200.20. cdanie Ae eee oe South Seal Rock.
Wosurell) George. os. ne kt ees eae eee South Sakonnet Light.
Costrell, Church &. Luther (00) 0s (sjag oct. Ae Ss Seal Rock.
Coom. Charles &' Coe (00) ss 7e sees North Sakonnet Light.
Ltt LN1OL
ype» poerit
e
owen
voy 0 @
mn @
eit e
es w
octinngy burditoag, 2040"
re = puredusoyy Buyin, TT
e
°
id
e
wn TOMA aaa [
UO © funstnsg 6 soy =
mua ‘5
: ono)
< evn!
ond @ ° ‘. =
awpaeg ¥ WML pun,
° eer
bs A e
woul
.
° °
nypon
awodigy
wong STOEL
NS
SVESTERS
wougy 0 T
wg
son wes’ 1s @
vo houtT
yen
wn
wim 's
ave HOLANAIO
anyuon
Cn
wiry feo su0H LW
"6061 105 qx0deq Cuedmooon 0}
SoroqsIT pavjay Jo orssrurmog puvjsy opoyy
aH4 AB oauveaMe
"6061 40) sdesy ysjy jo wo}e207 ay; Suymoys
‘AV .L.LASNVOVUUVN
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 25
Wowk Ghremles an CG ric... tg ee oe bie det West Sakonnet Light.
HastevomooremOe (OO)... . hss hae sca cha osal. oh sve Price’s Neck.
DUS ate MEUM OREO ce Stor. Seihad sor ie bie ean tvadurata: i taboads oe iceeed South Seal Rock.
TS). (0500), at ene ae re South Sakonnet Light.
Pe CUM CATA YR oii cok ede. diben nt West Cormorant Rock.
Telsully ig (CHE if6 Bh Vc) cee eae ele eee South Seal Rock.
PSU ILter Geis Wh a2 Deaaan a 0 et i na a ae Easton’s Point.
ies a oT RRs ahs Whe ccs) G2 tose s eens <n Fe) she’s: Beet South Breakwater.
IL (Gol Savile 0g ee Sega a Sakonnet Light.
Macomipermdc Nickerson. seu heccdt itn eo bale ubos a: South of Pier.
Macomber & Nickerson (00).....................South Seal Rock.
Macomber & Nickerson (000000000)......... South Sakonnet Light.
Winnie MNO Se ons TE S08 s-sesev ns) ont -etenand Sa West Breakwater, Point Judith.
JELAC a te RA eg ae South Cormorant Rock.
PvosenGeorser(OQ)ct: 3/0284 base. Sadar 3 2s North Sakonnet Light.
POSE MGCORLE SS J yi nm be 400 en canals gins othe South Sakonnet Light.
BuO Sess GOOMMOM AS Ac. oor elalns.b glen 28.4 aeGan'a aH de did s Aide Brown’s Ledge.
ues GEOR EE Mt eR it ito 3/0 ¥ Bal a Ao acta a West Cormorant Rock.
SINS E C8 (00. CE ne lr SEA an A PO FP Easton’s Point.
SSS UG hs 2 AS IS 1A ra a ca West Sachuest Point.
Tew Brothers (00) RS at tonk aealeoaee: Holewelaes eee West Price’s Neck.
ACTA RIE). . .\ Seat nana nee oe | eee eee Breakwater, Sakonnet.
WilcoxmmemO MO Cot. an age es eles South Cormorant Rock.
NING efop-es03 il. VCS celia Sale et ee Sacro ee em South Sakonnet Light.
NASD Ga <! 1G0., \]\/ 2 gel Re a PRS WN 5h South Seal Rock.
Sui O SPUN REO SAREE si) cilenn ga asthe wtagnantin sale acaba Easton’s Point.
Be nlcoxMemvien (OO 8 aie se Ses aaldad aeseeates Brown’s Ledge.
Aldrich & Company (00)........ Erde ae oe North Point.
PMIONIC HEM GMAT). izes dea. 02 al syletins o eoks ss Below North Point.
pulcirich, coe@empany (OO). oc. sc 0s ace es es oes oe Quonset Point.
PRRMIOLA COMMS: 5 fy oo) Fase ala S Wes dig bed chef eachs North Fogland Point.
4
26 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
WNlinary rane) 25 ui. os vd gs ele Bb cet cas yee 2 ese eeu ge need espera
Minaya eramke (00) .c0 bo. oy salad eos hae eee South High Point.
Aerersmmn 2 5 (OQ) 5 /.:s0 sk dene oie ce aha aa enter Coddington Cove.
PNweevitanese (res | G4 at tenable AIS is a al et tia ea cee Coddington Cove.
Baer DLOUMEIS.. 2.1.4 behets a ean he a vite eee re tae West Viall’s Creek.
EE SPOUTS si) Ls,4) Allegis Heda oie acinar ene: ane cas alee Conanicut.
Waker Brothersi., Acponece as aes | aeate iene South Wild Goose Point.
Hpnayibone Ga? LiZtese eee eS oc thc Nat care hase ea Podjac Point.
Beacons: Gu(OO) erated Naum ala oie in aha th CUR Marre Me Pine Hill Point.
Wamppen ters (Guy aitaih as tee ale vas 6 Siecegials ere ate ee South Ferry.
Coggeshall) Leander. - 2). 5:./.) 2 ie cerns Lower west shore Sakonnet.
Cogeeshall Leander \..°:),.5 20s -ci ee ae ee South Sandy Point.
Cegeeshall; Wueanden: seine hak wo ig 2) 23 North Sandy Point.
CoGke aie « eset ae seedy de May Ue ctaasis Upper East Shore Sakonnet.
Coneys ds (O00) 2544 oe pies at eames as Lower West Shore Sakonnet.
Gomene Hight (OO) aap A RRC EA. keds qnucrete ilu Wood’s Castle.
Game VAG OUGe SS dees Tae tren Reese pai Oak col siecle Cup actee tele High Hill Point.
GCoreycaAllen: (OO) sae kes ios salen sees South High Hill Point.
Coreya cer Ailenn(OU): )\- aa eke oes alee. byes pats Cee ae Brown’s Point.
GConeyace Martins (O0) ioe Rie ie vis ssc) ails, dep South High Hill Point.
Coneynds Martin s(O000) meee ee: sds alehs North Brown’s Point.
Coneypicea eatin (00) gare ee oo ais eye See North Church’s Point.
Cote lips assets, Late MMR RS ho 3! Sa dae al West Popasquash Neck.
CREM pOVere Ad 1th ark Lon ee ite sh A Genes West Popasquash Neck.
Cire lees 6: AE PRR nics oy aaa West Popasquash Neck.
COPGTONE MSR RIN Ws 2s Sep Neunan OR Bante =! a cae eens West Popasquash Neck.
Catbrell FS OO) e v2: sce hi ae ie Sales chats, oo cue Mount Hope Point.
COGtETIS eerie Ges kW a aerate seconde South Mount Hope Point..
CottrellicS2(O00) ge. 12 2 sees ae Upper East Sakonnet River.
Catérell Win) isciie ve tear nae Ds SERIE ios oo North Tiverton.
Prairies Gin tata a ote tier enpeee alice ok eae ee eens South Portsmouth.
Piss Mabon s 55 Hk ise ake & leas BAR eee ee ee North Tiverton.
Wishy Ue rOn ene NS don a, eee Se eee A ee North Tiverton.
BUSH MOITMU OMS sb tele ie Sune © ois 12 eC Ie pee tes ee North Tiverton.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 27
Pip Oieanonn (OOO). tre ece...ta¥ecseisacsses:..-+MeCurry’s: Point:
(Gh tobiny =. 013 2100 0) Re a ee South Castle Hill.
Grave bwoenerar(O0O) ois 5 sieges Sale aeleteieg oe ee East Hope Island.
CaP EOI a5 Ait Sao ie bo <i e a hiig le me fe TAS South Hope Island.
rN PMGMRORIOES oor .he gd 8 ety eh ars dte ea etl a Aue a les dees ets Conanicut Park.
Capyrmroomers| (OOOO). .0.. 25 esc toe ok de eta Pruaence Park.
(STE jedl B09 0139 ee a a Southwest Prudence Island.
ily Ay Cr comm cir COM tas seltm eels saat wotSot ees + South Sandy Point.
pays Gea. HOR OOre v2 a tite on eet ee eee ss North Sandy Point.
Grave Gaon. & Co: (000) 2.) Lacie s South McCurry’s Point.
CintiaiteYe) Wo Bh (00) ek Aa ee North Pine Hill Point.
RE eURETVG MRE Meters Beye Ecteich ot RA Ah 5) See oo) soley Dean su shan ahr ein ee ae Hull’s Cove.
Harvey, Chas...........South Coal Mine, west shore Rhode Island.
TE NICHE RIG HG os LRA ie on eS ee Pe EP AY LE Castle Hill South.
TECAL RSI a6 4 ol 70120 01a eR ae ee Buttonwoods.
Petey At IAAP aol <r lniein waco eueme cee Arline St ddetetsay shay BEE Island Park.
A FeAMIL ES OMPAUIEVO CL Ah caste, oh Bachan gc aagaiiee ce Wah ddot eh seats ey. gneve ares Taylor’s Point.
PEIN ae eI OLGA Rin.) van Sols ys Hla ana AN oa ae see eae Jamestown.
MmmMes AMM OLAG snes us eitle FhAl face area able) crasinen ote Mackerel Cones
GINO tet i iele trie toa eam aes aeons oe ee Fogland Point.
mot drawiant (OO). 0 i 3c eae ae oiinicie Sata See South McCurry’s Point.
URC ARMREST, cc hed al Rie see aie imag South McCurry’s Point.
Healves, Berman (00) 3 i222 ).52 it deo Gland Vets leye oe ferent ele Fogland Point.
Sete: \TR Map ro Sn oe oe oe aps" gtd AD RGP ye ayeoh on alot Ske Sata West Viall’s Creek.
JON eo. A See a Northwest Conanicut Island.
Beery Maas ete aS cathe ite ME ale aire ace ete y's aie Spl Mackerel Cove.
Br cv LO HUMOR HS Sk oooh Ll pa el8 clint a ah a1 sl olavdd norman helena 3 Mackerel Cove.
UW iC OLIMMIERCA Rec, 3 56°F Ma aves oaye a sk Sle aes cy eee Mackerel Cove.
HevLOTM MEE TA Mi Wh enLt, Bais bss Ree Sle GRirslore gine Mackerel Cove.
MBCO TREE) 5 She sat ess dewey hedats or 2d delat tier ee Brenton’s Cove.
ea Soh A RPM es S6h eG 8. ye tee tn, erenep ence gree ae Packard’s Rock.
WBewyis roma (OM) s..2. 5 site's! talaga’ gadis oa vielelele ste Wild Goose Point.
‘Lenyehisics. (C0) eka anes Ae ie nee er A om Dutch Island Harbor.
TENG ESA O10 1S) oS Eee nS Oc North Dutch Island Harbor.
28 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
BEAR BROS A) BI bias oe oS ensigns Bee nk tom, MPR 8 oe Sandy Point.
eS EOS. Aza Meri ct ope Pens Ale see South Sandy Point.
Wewiss Wilsoni(OO00).. boast lowest fae ae North Black Point.
ews Wilson i(OOD) ioc. isons Bilan eon Aen ie North Sandy Point.
Oke MOSES 48 Mie cll een koa, Cth) ce kee teeth aa aa Buttonwoods.
Meeke | MOseset de Aca cries ae ie ante South Chepiwanoxet.
Mocke?Mosesn(O0) teseAe see fs. oe oe he ’. North Chepiwanoxet.
Macomibens FAW (OO) ier. ss, cc oteesedt tone tecenns North High Hill Point.
Micomibeniintkosetie oo. vec here i we cduere be ace North Pine Hill Point.
Mi@asom, 2 (OO) geek ene ik erm cleanse ane Northwest Hope Island.
Madison VPS (OO) ope th otis ial fn ee an Northeast Hope Island.
IE OUTSCGY TS Poa (0) ON Ue a Megane ORI Rant ede aOR MRE EELS 2 Buttonwoods.
ANY eV GUEST Oy at as eget ER te Meaty RSG A Buttonwoods.
Manchester d Simmons... 35. oe. ook oe Se South Sandy Point.
Momehesteri@ Summons, ..... ds) scos cco ee North Sandy Point.
Miamiclres tery a: een ttn s Aen ae cua de, nee teas eee Quonset Point.
Ai [a mCHVEST Sie DS Oa ee eM Re ee eS PPPS Ree ea |! Viall’s Creek.
IMcraitaay Oeste) eee cP Niet derail eess oe ao WN Ne a High Hill Point.
WEY TTRSS OIC. (OPS ike ARTO ENO RR PTE LS Rs cP sh Fox Hill Point.
Maes omy sll) ei EM es So. 8 Gates, Uae ane ere Conanicut.
Miatilieti wlan t> (tio PRR Ble. cae de ce vals oon heey ae ee Hope Island.
IMG ele IPE DNG sah a. oh hee ee ok ee tee North Prudence Park.
ITEC el SS een eA eM NO South Podjac Point.
IN coat arco eC Oss 6s gos AMMAN oo vos Soe ak enclose eee Austin’s Hollow.
Northup Coy) i216 Seppe: 3 io e's ano ooo ee eet Austin’s Hollow.
PISCE eRe oo cc ocean ee Aken cn oye yaks South Black Point.
PTE RORY MR ee: ote cys chisel amie Scar Nueces North Sandy Point.
Prowidences Bish (Co. fase anes: ee etnies reso): Off Wood’s Castle.
Ramus Brosst(OOW) its a0 Sere te ae de te Wood’s Castle.
Decree) a irons nS coe nD BEE MARES PAM AM REN WLS Warwick Neck.
RIGOR AE the hake ee eR Sear ee Warwick Neck.
Rigses Amtlarae (OOM pad Gk ck Ove aes Ree eden Hog Island.
FROSE AME On ire. Mogull Mia fr na nik uh, eet id agen ee Church’s Cove.
RiGRe RIE COrmiNh kithiot deletes: soi oe ee North Mount Hope Point.
WOBOM GEO en lat tania) crate rata ante aera ieee nea North Mount Hope Point.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 29
RiGsee Gemp iO emer shs. «cir tue trish fipessyrahs \asoie North Sapowet Point.
Risen cine eine bee che) MRL IE aS Upper East Shore, Sakonnet River.
[OVS EG! cethons ceca gem G Ht ener eT eS ECS ERLE CL ose South Stone Bridge.
ROSEM SAMOR ia 5c hla s says eee Upper East Shore, Sakonnet River.
TR cae, -boaiaa (C10) ae ee er ene eee North Sapowet Point.
SSPE OCRed kath. Ohi 2 Joh het Menai chide nes as South High Hill Point.
rea tapes SOMA TUITION APs Sek cy ease 4 pS, bsautnelieliselg dni ke Black Point.
Pate ake. (OW) is yee. wilson ate a alt ay Meee. North Point Papasquash.
SHS AL OMMEE, Oi Saeed oh grees eh ot Bos call uA af cle it's ara obers AK Rumstick.
Remi anew ID eMties Sate a slaw is Oa ake yates Ss ee North Sandy Point.
polit ele we) seme Sh RR ho i neg tend iis Rial 6 Gene ee etna s Flint Point.
RES COMM Orngies wath EAs. ahs ists Beau dee tiie rehutale South Greenwich Bay.
SIAM EROS ee tae Cenk ec iciseht Gee Sra tethensl 3,5) _... Hast Shore, Conanicut
SITaU EL ave Be ikae oats Oke anne ER, i a East Shore, Conanicut.
SRDS pear aae epee sl nd Wintel adele Be Soa Seapets Southeast Prudence.
Sin cdg] ste SNe enh ea a eet a Se West Quonset Point.
‘Su tte] ote AN, TN ean eM A Te ERA RO Sauga Point.
STG oe ee ae, Oa Seen eh cen me Be East Shore, Conanicut.
Sib A251 (00 ae ee eae eae A De rm ed South Sapowet Point.
Be Ae acti Eis at feosel. tt aA eyctdtedtents artes South Sapowet Point.
Simellsareisierces.. {Aon sn. . Hs rote Godlee an « South McCurry’s Point.
Svat oucierle a aerta's this shakey ot _..-North R. R. Bridge, Tiverton.
PES (sie (SV011) 3 ees a ee eR aS North Tiverton.
Arallniimeems Orde is) |.) 4). cer a esa he tia see esld «sa et North Castle Hill.
PIO MAS OMIT: cocthe hots LJ area Deo eas weer, North Castle Hill.
MOC CrmEMMEEner tthe oe Me ts ae eos IR, Dade dane Austin’s Hollow.
OMT CCC MRMNIRY te SUS oanaters Sihuap sh bons: South Saunderstown.
White Whe 23> os. sits eee esto dace East North Point Prudence.
Van COX Reem Visio) St) SPs Al:. phar piens } oes Ghede o thee. Church’s Cove.
Niall Cos alslemyier, (OO). .83) a's ol alo aa dle la v nenseain e Ok High Hill Point.
\ UGS. (Cae ened ea eS ee ee Gen Church’s Cove.
VAULT Co AMM Soins | lasek eee, Wick cs need hs South Sapowet Point.
NCIS Oris pilbememescy he. bs tas dacs totes boys Tel paiement Buttonwoods.
itl Orie lipemtens shee ow EE thas ah iol tenth a ys Shue ® South Podjac.
\antxeyatend L.. ((010) Rae ee ae ee ee ...south Greenwich Bay.
30 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
FisH-Traps Ser in RuopEe Isutanp Waters, AND List or TRAP
OWNERS.
The table giving the number and distribution of the fish-traps for
the past eleven years is given below, and continues to show the same
steady increase in the number of traps in various locations and as a
whole. Especially noticeable is the continued increase in number
in the Sakonnet river and off-shore divisions, where the cordon of
traps is being extended and covers new territory each year. A
glance at the accompanying chart, which shows the location of each
trap, shows that the fishermen are continuing to push their traps a
surprisingly great distance off shore. The West Passage and East
Passage divisions show lfttle change; but in these divisions beam
trawling in the late fall and early spring has added materially to the
value of the fisheries.
TABLE SHOWING NUMBER AND GENERAL DISTRIBUTION OF FISH—
Traps SINCE 1898.
The following arbitrary divisions have been made for the sake of
convenience:
I. Providence River.—South to a line joining Warwick Point and
Popasquash Point.
Il. Greenwich Bay.—South of Providence River division in west
passage to a line draws east and west touching southern part of
Hope Island.
Ill. West Passage.—The west passage south of Greenwich Bay
region to a line drawn due west from Beaver Tail and west of a line
connecting the east end of Greenwich Bay boundary and North
Point.
IV. Mount Hope Bay.—North of railroad bridge, Tiverton, and
a line connecting Bristol Ferry and Mussel Shoal Light.
V. East Passage.-—South of Providence and Mount Hope Bay
divisions and north of a line from Beaver Tail to Breton’s Point.
VI.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Sakonnet River.—The Sakonnet River south of
bridge to a line connecting Flint Point and the breakwater.
VII.
Block Island.
ol
railroad
Off Shore.—Traps south of above divisions and not off
VIII. Block Island.
cee oe
2 | 4 Pes 5
fe iS g Fi 2
~ o q oS Q fan
YEAR. =) 5 a © ~
8 2 oS 1 ay
= oO py 2 q
ESO NRG | ee Pa Ne a ee
E o S
a es = = a
SOS ee RS ey ears eds 4 6 26 9 34
TEES aN ae 3 10 23 11 35
TOUOKE: Cee cee ie. Saree 4 16 24 16 34
POD ers PU Une res Se 7 15 24 13 52
OSM ae eee ut Aa 6 22 27 13 52
TEND ee 7 21 32 13 72
ROOM aE Nee oe cae oe 6 27 33 7 78
CLUS aC SEMA a oe 6 26 33 rl 82
TaN So a 6 35 27 11 80
ROOM on AOI ae oh 7 37 30 12 87
Ifa Oe ee Nee) ae ee en 7 38 32 12 87
1909 =f ke ns ee 7 31 32 12 88
East Passage.
Block Island.
Total.
119
121
135
151
161
195
220
240
249
271
271
277
Compiled by E. W. Bames, A. M.
32 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
The Number oj Boats Engaged in Lobster Fishing in the State of Rhode Island,
jor 1909.
Compiled by Wm. T. Luth, Chief Deputy Commissioner.
Boats. Ports. MEN.
IN GWOT isa Ante cho cect eacdigeus Mate eee 119 11,040 176
Blockslisland®. basics. dRaneuneee oe 46 6,230 93
Jamestown and Saunderstown........ 14 1,040 18
COMME Sorc Bes Gao Me es coe ace toe eG Sate 4 88
Sakconnet and East River............ 28 2,072 39
Nammaransett Pier soc. he ant uh ie che 11 662 14
Warren, Bristol, and Prudence........ 8 318 14
AW ea( ol ctl (GD WR Seeaoes ates eerie eee mek ie ick 5 550 8
HOPING Oe cbs stoses fisre enact hoe aneks 13 1220. 14
248 23,220 381
As a postscript to this report, Deputy Luth reports that no less
than 30,000 pounds are retailed from the wharves at Newport, some
5,000 to 6,000 pounds at N arragansett Pier, and about 18,000 pounds
at Bristol, Warren, and Tiverton Four Corners, of which no official
reports are obtainable. This would add about 53,000 pounds,
making the total 139,903. He also remarks that since in 1908, at
Block Island, there were only 61 men engaged in lobster fishing as
against 93 in 1909, there would seem to be an error in the report of
Deputy Willis, in which the catch for 1909 is reported as some 12,000
pounds less than in 1908.
ung @ ®@ suna'T
ZINIOd A
SI
PPYInNT @
@ ira
= uund
¢
e 1g
ewig
e TLS §
"6061 40) sdesy ys} yo uoner207 24) Suimoys
‘dNV1IsI SDOT&
INIOd AANVS
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. ay
THE CONTINUED EXAMINATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
CONDITIONS OF THE Bay.
Data relating to the character of the shores and sea bottom, the
temperature and density of the water, the occurrence of animal and
plant life in various places and at various times; facts relating to rare
or unusual animals; information about breeding times and habits
of fishes and invertebrates, and miscellaneous data of similar char-
acter, are continually being gathered and placed on file. From time
to time the Commission has brought together portions of these data
in the form of special papers. (See index.)
The present report includes the following special papers:
THE FISHES OF RHODE ISLAND.
No. VIII. Annotated List of Fishes Known to Inhabit Rhode
Island Waters, by H. C. Tracy.
Notes on the spring and summer fishing in deep water off Newport,
during the years 1905-1909, by Supt. E. W. Barnes.
The Plague of Sea Clams at Easton’s Beach, by Supt. E. W. Barnes.
5
V(r Hi
a
ANNOTATED LIST OF FISHES KNOWN TO INHABIT THE
WATERS OF RHODE ISLAND.*
BY HENRY Cc. TRACY, Ph. D.,
Biological Assistant, Wickford Station.
In the year 1898 the Commission: of Inland Fisheries began a
“systematic examination of the physical and biological conditions of
Narragansett Bay.’ The importance of the study of the fish fauna,
as a part of this investigation, is obvious from a practical as well
as from a scientific point of view. Development of the fisheries by
artificial culture and restrictive legislation depends for its effective-
ness on our knowledge of the life history and life conditions of the
different species of fishes inhabiting our waters. The results of the
investigation of the distribution of the various fishes, times of occur-
rence, food, diseases, enemies, etc., furnish a body of facts in them-
selves of great value to the scientist, to the sportsman, and to the
man practically interested in the commercial aspect of the fisheries.
Since the biological study of Rhode Island waters was begun, nu-
merous isolated facts regarding the fishes inhabiting them have come
into the possession of the Commission. The first systematic contri-
bution to this investigation was the “List of Fishes of Narragansett
Bay,” by Dr. H. C. Bumpus, which was contained in the Report of the
Commissioners of Inland Fisheries for 1900. This was a bare list of
fishes, as the title indicates, with no notes or information regarding
any of the species included. The Report for 1901 contained a further
contribution to this subject, under the title ‘“‘ Additions to the List of
Fishes Known to Inhabit Narragansett Bay, with Remarks on Rare
Species Recently Caught.’ Since this time a series of articles dealing
J tS,
* Previous papers in this series are as follows :
I. A List of the Fishes of Rhode Island, 36th Report, 1905, page 38.
Il. The Common Fishes of the Herring Family, 36th Report, 1905, page 100.
Ill. The Fishes of the Mackerel Family, 37th Report, 1906, page 33.
IV. A List of Rare Fishes Taken in Rhode Island in the Year 1906, 37th Report, 1906,
5.
V. The Flat-fishes, 38th Report, 1907, page 47.
VI. A Description of two young Specimens of Squeteague (Cynoscion Regalis) with Notes
on the Rate of their Growth, 38th Report, 1907, page 85.
VII. The Life History of the Common Eel, 39th Report, 1908, page 43.
36 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
with the natural history of the Rhode Island fishes has been published
in the annual reports of the Commission. These articles, collectively
included under the title ‘‘The Fishes of Rhode Island,” were written
from two different points of view. Four of these were concerned with
particular groups of fishes and were intended to state, in as complete
a way as possible, the most important facts which have been ascer-
tained regarding their life histories. The other papers of the series
were primarily intended to contain such data regarding the fishes of
the State as had been secured by the Commission in the course of its
examination of the biological conditions of Narragansett Bay.
The most inclusive of these papers was that entitled ‘A List of
the Fishes of Rhode Island,” published in the annual report of the
Commissioners of Inland Fisheries for the year 1905. This list
enumerated systematically those species which had been authentically
recorded from the waters of Rhode Island. In it were also included
brief statements regarding the geographical distribution, spawning
habits, food, rate of growth, ete., of the different species mentioned,
as well as many new observations regarding their occurrence and life
relations in Rhode Island. This list proved to be quite generally
useful for reference purposes, and the limited number of the reprinted
copies has now been exhausted. It therefore seems advisable at this
time to revise the paper, and bring it up to date by including in it
those additions which have in the meantime been made to our knowl-
edge of the fishes of this vicinity. An opportunity is thus given for
the publication of numerous observations and data collected by the
writer and others connected with the Rhode Island Fish Commission.
In this revision of the list of the fishes of Rhode Island, the nat-
ural history notes have been entirely rewritten and much new mate-
rial added. References have been given to the most important and
most accessible papers in which information regarding particular
species can be found. Details regarding the geographical distribu-
tion of the different species have been added, especially in the cases
of those fishes which are particularly rare or whose distribution is
of particular interest. The occurrence of such species in the waters
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. oi
of Massachusetts, southern New England, and Long Island, is of
special interest in the study of the fauna of Rhode Island, and there-
fore notes on the geographical distribution of the different fishes
often includes a statement of their occurrence in the waters of neigh-
boring States. The notes on the eggs and young of the different spe-
cies have been given special attention. All the available literature has
been consulted in the attempt to include a brief statement of what-
ever facts are known regarding the early stages of the different fishes.
Information regarding these exceedingly important but as yet com-
paratively little known phases of the life history of the fishes is seat-
tered through many special papers, and the bibliography of the various
species is not readily accessible. It has therefore been thought im-
portant to give all the obtainable references to the description of the
eggs and young of those species of which the early stages are known.
The new material included in this revised paper consists chiefly
of, first, observations relating to the time during which the various
species are present on our shores; second, observations relating to the
occurrence in our waters of the eggs and young of fishes; and third,
data which are of interest with reference to the rate of growth of
some of our more common species. Data regarding the period of
sojourn of the different fishes on our coast can be determined quite
readily by following the trap fishery in the summer and the beam-
trawl fishing in the winter. This latter method of fishing has recently
become extensively practiced in Narragansett Bay during the winter,
and it is now possible to determine more satisfactorily than form-
erly the nature and abundance of the species present during the cold-
est part of the year. With reference to this subject, the papers
dealing with the fauna of our neighborhood have, probably from
necessity, been somewhat vague. There is little doubt that our cold-
water fauna is considerably more extensive than one would infer
from the statements in the literature on the subject.
For some years past, the Commission has given a considerable
amount of attention to the collection of data relating to the rate of
growth of fishes. This work is as yet far from complete, yet in the
38 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
natural history notes relating to the different species, observations.
will be recorded which tend to show that most of the smaller shore
fishes, such as mummichogs (Fundulus), silversides (Menidia),
anchovies (Stolephorus), pipefish (Siphostoma fuscum), bill-fish (Ty-
losurus marinus), and cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus), come to
maturity on the second season after hatching from the eggs, that:
is, when they are about a year old. On the other hand many of
the larger forms, such as the bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), scup
(Stenotomus chrysops), tautog (Tautoga onitis), squiteague (Cynoscion
regalis), butterfish (Poronotus triacanthus), the toadfish (Opsanus tau),
and menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), probably come to maturity in
the third season, that is, when about two vears old. This last group
of species probably do not attain the average adult size until after
three or four years.
The fresh-water species have received greater attention than in the
preceding lists. Twenty-four exclusively fresh-water fishes and about
fourteen other species which regularly spend a portion of their lives
in the fresh water have been reported from the inland waters of Rhode
Island. On this basis it would appear that this State is comparatively
poor as far as its fresh-water fauna is concerned. It may be recalled
in this connection that the physical conditions in Rhode Island are
different than those existing in our neighboring States. Rhode Island
forms no part of any great river system, neither are there found with-
in her borders many mountain streams and lakes such as exist in
New England further to the north. Hence our fresh water species
are mostly those which belong to the fauna of lowland streams and
ponds. Nevertheless the poverty in fresh-water species which is
suggested by this list is more apparent than real, since our knowledge
of the fish life of our ponds and streams is very inadequate. There
is little doubt that a systematic investigation of these waters would
yield many species not previously reported from this vicinity.
It is perhaps needless to say that a discussion of the fishes of
Rhode Island must of necessity take into consideration the condi-
tions existing in the offshore waters of the south of our State. It is.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 39
impossible to adequately understand the life history of many of our
important food fishes, most of which are pelagic and migratory in their
habits during a considerable portion of their existence, unless the fish
fauna of the open water is included in our investigation. Further-
more, the offshore fisheries between Newport and Sakonnet, and those
of Block Island, are of great importance to the citizens of Rhode
Island; and the rich variety of rare species already known to have
been taken in those waters is of great scientific interest. For these
reasons this list takes account of every species of fish which has been
known to be present in the waters of Rhode Island, using that term
broadly to include, besides Narragansett Bay and the fresh-water
streams of the State, the open waters of the ocean bordering on the
southern shores of the State and of Block Island.
In these open waters is found a fauna of remarkable richness and
variety. Cape Cod forms a general boundary between the Arctic
fauna of the north Atlantic coast and the temperate fauna which
extends south to Cape Hatteras. Therefore, many species belong-
ing to each of these regions are normally present in greater or less
abundance in the marine waters of our State. The edge of the Gulf
Stream, also, is scarcely over a hundred and fifty miles from our coast,
and hence each year in the summer and early autumn a great number
of tropical species are brought to our shores from regions far to the
south. It isa characteristic feature of this element in our fauna that
many of the species constituting it are represented in our waters
solely or chiefly by their young. The explanation of this probably
lies in the fact that the eggs and pelagic young of such fishes as spawn
in the open water of the tropics drift passively northward in the
current of the Gulf Stream. The adults, however, on account of
their better developed swimming powers, are less likely to be carried
far from their natural habitat.
In the appendix to this list of fishes are given the names of certain
species which will serve to illustrate how the fauna of our waters is
enriched by contributions from the tropics. These species were taken
by the United States Fish Commission while investigating the extent
40 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
of the tile-fish grounds. These grounds include an area between 69°
and 73° west longitude and between 40° and 40° 20’ north latitude,
and are situated on the edge of the Gulf Stream, directly to the south
of the Rhode Island coast. These fishes are mostly surface forms
whose native waters are in the tropics. That such fishes form a large
part of the fish fauna of the Gulf Stream helps to explain the occur-
rence of so great a number of tropical species in our coast waters.
Still another and quite a different source contributes to our varied
fauna. Our shores are relatively near the outer edge of the great con-
tinental shelf where it begins to slope off into the vast abyss of the
ocean. This region is the home of a remarkable and extensive fauna
from which stray individual sometimes reach our shores.. These
fishes form a small but scientifically interesting element of the marine
life of the waters of Rhode Island.
So many factors contribute to the fauna of our offshore waters
that it is not surprising that a very large number of marine fishes have
been reported from Rhode Island. Of the 199 species enumerated
in this list, 175 are salt-water fishes. About 70 of these may be con-
sidered as rare. This latter number, however, is by no means final
and will doubtless be increased in the future as the result of the cap-
ture of strays from the tropical and deep-water regions. Comparison
with similar lists from other States shows that from Long Island 217
marine species are reported (Bean, 1903), and from Woods Hole, 233
species (Smith, 1900). The marine fauna of Woods Hole and vicin-
ity has of course been much more thoroughly investigated than that
of our State or that of Long Island. There are thus something over
40 species which have been taken in neighboring waters but which
have not been reported from Rhode Island. On the other hand this
State reports ten species not taken at either Woods Hole or Long
Island; one species in this list is found at Long Island but has been not
taken at Woods Hole; three species reported from this State are found
at Woods Hole and vicinity but are not recorded from Long Island.
It is evident from these figures that there are known from the southern
shores of New England and from Long Island somewhat over a
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 4]
hundred species of fishes which, strictly speaking, do not belong to the
fauna of this region at all, but which are accidental strays or, at most,
irregular visitors to our coasts. The normal habitat of such species
is to be found either in the tropics or in the cold waters north of
Cape Cod, or in the great depths of the Atlantic. Yet their presence
here is of interest and is worthy of record, since it throws light on
the distribution and migration of the species in question and also
upon certain physical and biological factors which normally influence
the conditions in our own waters.
In the introduction to the previous list of fishes (1905), suggestions
were made regarding the different lines of work which were to be
followed in the future. Of these there are two which seem again to
justify particular mention.
On account of the unusual geographical relations of the coast line
of the State of Rhode Island and the islands contained within its
jurisdiction, the sea fisheries of the State are carried on in waters which
represent an extraordinary variety of physical and biological condi-
tions. The quiet, shallow waters of the Providence River, which
seldom contains any species except those most typical of our fauna,
show a great contrast in conditions from those existing in the deep
water off the exposed shores of Block Island. The waters between
these extremes present almost every possible combination of shore,
current, and bottom. In all these different regions exists a more or
less highly developed commercial fishery. Reference to the list of
fish-traps and their locations, contained in this report, shows that
about 275 traps are in operation in Rhode Island waters, and that
they are scattered all the way from Point Judith to Providence River,
from Providence River to Newport, out in the open water from
Brenton’s Reef to Sakonnet Point, up and down the Sakonnet River,
and off the shore of Block Island. The immense floating traps off
Newport and Sakonnet are particularly adapted for the capture of
the pelagic species. The great variety of conditions under which the
fish of the State are found, when considered in connection with the
varied marine fauna of these waters, furnishes a field, as yet far from
6
42 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
exhausted, for the systematic investigations of such questions as the
factors influencing the local distribution of fishes and their time of
arrival and departure, the influence of fishing in the abundance of
fishes, their rate of growth, spawning and many other similar prob-
lems.
Other methods of fishing which often yield interesting scientific
data are the fyke nets in the early spring and the seine fishery for
menhaden. The oyster dredge also often secures specimens of such
bottom species as toadfish, flatfishes, blennies, sculpins, lump-fishes,
etc. Another important source of information is furnished by the
recent considerable development of the winter trawl fishing in Narra-
gansett Bay. By following this fishing systematically, our present
knowledge would be much enriched, particularly with regard to the
bottom forms and the fish life of our waters during the winter.
The study of the fauna of Block Island would be a subject of
unique interest. A small amount of information regarding the fresh-
water fishes of the island has been secured. Further investigation of
the fresh-water fauna would not only be of interest in itself, but might
furnish an important contribution to general biological theory. The
marine life of its shores also has a peculiar interest. Block Island
is located so near the boundaries between the northern and southern
division of the Atlantic coast fauna, and so near deep water, that it
undoubtedly has a fauna of great richness and variety. There is
every reason to suppose that it is as favorably situated in these re-
spects as Woods Hole. Fishermen say that frequently in these off-
shore waters they take fish which are new to them, and that they see
even whole schools of unfamiliar species. It is to be hoped that a
thorough study of the biological conditions of the whole island may .
sometime be undertaken.
In addition to these questions of more or less local interest, there
are two general lines of investigation which the writer believes to be
fundamental to any very extensive advance toward the solution of
unsolved problems connected with the fisheries. An ultimate factor
in the life history of all organisms is its food supply. The final
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 43
source of the food of marine fishes is the microscopic life of the sea,
and therefore a thorough knowledge of the marine plankton, both from
a qualitative and quantitive point of view, and the factors which in-
fluence its abundance and distribution, would unquestionably afford
a basis for substantial progress in our knowledge of the life history of
the fishes. Much has already been done in this line, but so far as it
concerns our marine fishes, our effective knowledge of the plankton is
but ineits infancy.
Another investigation which would be very fruitful of results in
comparison with the time and energy necessary for its prosecution,
is a thorough study of the eggs and young of the fishes. Various
European fishery organizations (Board of Fisheries of Scotland,
Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Conseil per-
manent international pour |’exploration de la mer; Commission zur
wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung der deutschen Meere) have carried
on this sort of investigation very successfully, but owing to the com-
parative neglect of this important subject by American investigators,
a large amount of work still remains to be done in the description
and identification of the eggs and larve of different species of our
marine fishes. Such work is a necessary preliminary to a study of the
distribution and abundance of the eggs and larve of fishes, and of the
physical and biological conditions influencing them. The eggs of
many of the more common species have been seen by various observers
and certain isolated statements regarding them exist in the literature.
Few of these eggs, however, have been figured and fewer still have
been studied with any completeness with reference to the identifica-
tion of the eggs of different species during the successive stages of
development. Similar statements might be made regarding our
knowledge of the larval and young stages of the fishes.
The greatest contribution to such knowledge as we possess of the
early stages of our fishes has been made by various European workers.
Our knowledge is fairly complete regarding those forms like the
herring, mackerel, cod, ete., which are common to both shores.
Of American investigators of this subject, J. A. Ryder has made the
44 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
largest and most important contribution. His work was not only
extensive, but accurate, and has well endured the test of time. The
same, however, cannot be said of the other important contributor to
this work. Alexander Agassiz (1878-79, 1882), has written three
papers describing the young stages of certain teleosts, and A. Agassiz
and C. O. Whitman (1885) contributed another extensive paper on
the same subject. In these papers certain early stages of about twenty
species were figured and described, together with several unidentified
eges and larve. Unfortunately, however, the work of various later
investigators has shown in several cases their identification of the eggs
and larvee was either quite erroneous or at least questionable. The
following criticisms have come to the notice of the writer.
Osmerus mordax.
A. Agassiz (1882) hat ‘“Entwicklungsformen von Osm. mordax
beschrieben, die aus planktonischen Eiern stammen sollen; die
jiingsten aus solchen Eiern geziichteten Larven sind aber bestimmt
nicht Osmerus, sondern anscheinend Clupea spec.; tiber die als O.
mordax bezeichneten ilteren Stadien, welche Agassiz abbildet,
lasst sich nichts Sicheres sagen.” (Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plank-
ton, X, 1909, 343).
.
Roccus lineatus.
Ryder discusses at some length the young which Agassiz (1882)
identified as belonging to this species. ‘‘These differences lead me
to think that the larval fishes figured by Mr. Agassiz as pertaining to
the species here under consideration must belong to another form,
as none of his figures can be reconciled with those taken from larvee
of the striped bass, the parentage of which is undoubted. In this
opinion I am most conclusively confirmed by a drawing which has
fallen into my hands by the late Professor Henry J. Rice.” (Ryder,
Report U. 8. Fish Commission, XIII, 1885, 503.) Ehrenbaum says,
‘“Man darf daher mit Ryder annehmen, dass die zahlreichen Abbil-
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 45
dungen, welche Agassiz von Larven und Jungfischen des Labrax
lineatus gibt mehr oder weniger ausnahmslos einer anderen Fischart
zuzurechnen sind. Selbst die Larven der zwar verwandten aber
doch schon stiirker abweichenden Morone americana welche aus sehr
kleinen, im Siisswasser am Grunde klebenden Eiern stammen,
zeigen gewisse allgemeine Charakterziige der Roccus-Larven deutlich-
er als die von Agassiz abgebildeten Formen.”’ (Ehrenbaum, op. cit.
TV, 1905, 17.)
Myoxocephelus groenlandicus and Hemitripterus americanus.
‘‘ Professor Alex. Agassiz (1885) records the ova of certain Ameri-
can Cotti as pelagic, a feature very different from those of our country
and probably requiring re-investigation.” (McIntosh, Report, Fish-
ery Board for Scotland, 14, 1895, 181).
“Im Widerspruch hiermit [that the species of this family lay
demersal eggs] steht der Umstand, dass Agassiz und Whitman
sowohl fur Cottus groenlandicus wie fur Hemitripterus americanus
planktonische Eier und dazu gehorige Larven gefunden und _bes-
chrieben haben. Dasz die genennten Autoren sich im Falle des
C. groenlandicus geirrt haben, unterliegt schon lingst keinem Zweifel
mehr; es ist aber auch wahrscheinlich, dass die als Hemitripterus
beschriebenen Eier und Larven von irgend einem anderen Fische
herstammen, der nicht zur Cottiden-Familie gehért.”’ (Ehrenbaum,
Gs OG)
Agassiz and Whitman say that the eggs of the first of these species
are found in July, and the eggs of H. americanus are taken through-
out the summer months. But it is now known that both these
species spawn in the winter.
Opanus tau.
“Ryder hat einige Embryonalstadien abgebildet (Bull. U. 8. Fish
Com. vol. VI., 1886, 4-8.) welche die jungen Larven auch nach dem
Platzen der Kihaut als festsitzende Tiere zeigen, selbst noch in einer
Grosse von 8 mm. Dagegen hat A. Agassiz, (1882), eine hierher geh6-
46 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
rige 8 mm. lange Larve abgebildet, welche schon den Dotterrest ver-
loren hat und offenbar planktonisch gefischt wurde, obwohl sie ge-
gen die ilteste Ryder’sche Larve in der Entwickelung der Flossen zu-
riicksteht.’? (Ehrenhanm, T. c., 45.)
Compare also Ryder (loc. cit.), who shows a figure of a specimen
3-inch long with the yolk sae still fixed to its attachment. The larve
of this species, according to my own observations, do not become
released from their attachment and become free-swimming until
about 15 or 16 mm. in length. At Beaufort, N. C., Gudger
found that at hatching the young toadfish are from 16 to 19 mm.
long.
Motella argentea.
‘Hs sei erwihnt, dass auch Agassiz (1882) 2 Jungendformen einer
amerikanischen Phycis-Art abgebildet und als Motella argentea
beschrieben hat.”” (Ehrenbaum, op. cit. X., 1909, 276).
Pomatomus saltatriz.
With regard to this species, Agassiz and Whitman say that the eggs
are found from the middle of June to the middle of August. State-
ments of other observers, however, seem to indicate that the bluefish
spawns earlier in the season, probably in the spring, before it arrives
on our shores. Smith says that at Woods Hole a few bluefish have
ripe spawn in them when they begin to arrive in May and June, al-
though roes have been found in bluefish at Nantucket as late as July
15th.
Young specimens from one to two inches long are common in
Narragansett Bay in June, and young three to five inches long are
abundant along the whole coast in July and August. These facts
show that the identification of the eggs and young described by
Agassiz and Whitman as belonging to the bluefish is questionable
and requires corroboration.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 47
Tautogolabrus adspersus.
The stages of the young of this species are described at length by
Agassiz (1882). The eggs and young of this species and those of
Tautoga onitis resemble each other very closely, and the present writer
believes that Agassiz has confused the young of these two species,
and that several of the specimens described as belonging to 7.
adspersus are really young tautog. The evidence for this belief
the writer hopes to publish soon in a paper based upon his observa-
tions made at the Wickford Experiment Station, where every year
the eggs and young of the two species in question occur in considerable
numbers in the lobster rearing cars.
Pseudorhombus oblongus.
Much confusion exists in the synonymy of the three species of
Paralichthys found in this vicinity, but according to Jordan and
Evermann (1898, p. 2630), Pseudorhombus oblongus (Giinther) is to
be identified with Paralichthys lethostigmus (Jordan and Gilbert.)
This species, however, is a southern form and not reported north of
New York, and therefore that its eggs should be taken in the neigh-
borhood of Newport is improbable. But this fish closely resembles
the common summer flounder of Rhode Island waters, and Agassiz
and Whitman may have intended his description to apply to the
young of Paralichtys dentatus. The difficulty of deciding just which
species the author had in mind is further increased by a confused
arrangement of the descriptive matter in the text and a discrepancy
in the labeling of the plates. But whatever the species intended, it is
doubtful that these eggs belong to P. dentatus. They are described
as having no oil globule; if they really belong to any species of Para-
lichthys they furnish an exception to the general rule stated by Cun-
ningham (1896), that the eggs of most left-sided species of flat-fishes
have a single oil globule. Furthermore, it is not known that P.
dentatus spawns in inshore waters. I have been able to find in the
literature no references to the eggs and young of this species, and
48 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
except for certain unanthenticated statements by fishermen, I know
of no evidence that ripe specimens of this fish have ever been taken.
Yet this species is very abundant on the southern coast of New
England from May to October, and therefore the almost absolute lack
of observations bearing on its breeding habits is good reason for
believing that it does not spawn in our waters during the summer
months. With regard to this subject, Rathbun says:—“ Nothing is
positively known regarding the breeding habits of this species except
that it does not spawn in the shallow water near the shore.”” (Report,
U. 8. Fish Com., X VII, 1889, 161.)
Pseudopleuronectes americanus.
Agassiz and Whitman (1885) state that the eggs of this species are
found at Newport in May and June, but are most common in July
and August. They are described as closely resembling the eggs of the
eunner (Tautagolabrus adspersus) and not easily distinguishable from
them. These statements, however, are quite erroneous, since it has
long been known that this species spawns in February, March, and
April, and that the eggs are demersal (Rathburn, loc. cit.). The
error of Agassiz and Whitman in the identification of these eggs has
already been pointed out by Cunningham (Jour. Mar. Biol. Ass., III,
1893-95, 244).
Plagusia.
In discussing the young attributed to this genus, Agassiz (1878-79)
says: ‘“‘What eventually becomes of this species I am not able to say
and it is not improbable that this species is identical with that de-
scribed by Steentrup, and it may also be the young of the Plagusia
found on the Atlantic coast of the southern States.’”’ Nevertheless,
one may well be excused for doubting the probability that the eggs
of a species not reported north of Cape Hatteras should be taken at
Newport. Apropos of these specimens, Cunningham has said:—
“‘ Agassiz described transition stages, quite similar to those of Steen-
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 49
strup, captured at the mouth of Newport Harbor, and ascribed them
dikewise to the genus Plagusia. Emery, the Italian ichthyologist,
has pointed out that these specimens of Steenstrup and Agassiz cer-
tainly do not belong to the genus Plagusia, because in the latter the
dorsal and postanal fins are continuous with the caudal, and in these
specimens they are quite distinct and separate. Without discussing
the question at length, or carefully examining the evidence, Emery
suggests that the North Atlantic specimens belong to the genus
Rhomboidichthys.”’ (Jour. Mar. Biol. Ass. II, 1891-92, 328.) This
latter suggestion has a certain degree of probability, since Platophrys
ocellatus, although most abundant in the tropics, has been taken as
far north as Long Island (by Bean, in 1890). Also Jordan and Ever-
mann (1898, p. 2661) examined some small transparent flounders
from the Gulf Stream which they considered as possibly the young of
the P. ocellatus.
The material used in the preparation of the following list of fishes
has been derived from the following sources:
1. The “List of Fishes in Narragansett Bay,’’ by Dr. H. C.
Bumpus, referred to above.
2. Data gradually acquired by the Rhode Island Fish Commission
in years past.
3. Data furnished by Mr. E. W. Barnes, of Wickford, R. L.,
Superintendent of the Experiment Station. The data
secured by Mr. Barnes refers more particularly to the
food fishes.
4. Statements regarding time of occurrence, abundance, etc., of
various fishes, made by fishermen and others practically
interested. JI am under special obligations to the Lewis
Brothers, of Wickford, for information of this kind and for
other favors, for which I here make acknowledgment.
5. Collections made at various times in the past, particularly
by the late Prof. J. W. P. Jenks, and by Mr. J. M. K. South-
wick, of Newport, Vice-President of the Commission.
7
50 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
6. Collections and personal observations made by the writer,
during the years 1905 to 1909. The fish-traps and beam
trawls furnish a nearly inexhaustable source of data regard-
ing many important aspects of the life history of the differ-
ent species. The seine has also been much used in securing
the young of many fishes and the smaller shore fishes.
T should add, further, that in several cases references of the isolated
occurrences of certain rare species in Rhode Island waters have been
found in various works on ichthyology or in special papers. I have
made use of these sources also, as a matter of record, giving the proper
reference under each particular species.
The material for the notes on the food of the various species, in ad-
dition to data obtained by personal observation, has been taken from
a variety of sources. The observations on the stomach contents of
fishes made by Dr. Edwin Linton (1899, 1904) have been largely used.
Other information regarding the food of fishes, particularly of the fresh-
water fishes, has been obtained from various papers, chiefly those by
Kendall, and by Kendall and Goldsborough.
The notes on the natural history of the different species have been
taken from many sources. The greatest proportion has been taken from
papers in the various publications of the United States Bureau of Fish-
eries, from special papers by Theodore Gill and others, and from mono-
eraphs and reports of various Commissions and Boards of Fisheries.
The more important of the papers which contain imformation
regarding particular fishes mentioned in the list are referred to in the
notes on the different species. Below is given a list of other more
general papers which give important data regarding various phases
of the natural history of the fishes of our waters. This list does not
exhaust the bibliography of the subject, but aims to include the most
important and accessible papers in English. A few important
German references have also been added.
GENERAL REFERENCES, PERIODICALS, Etc.
American Naturalist, Ichthyology notes and Reviews in the, by D. 8. Jordan.
Canadian Biology, Further Contributions to; 39th Annual Report of the Depart-
ment of Marine and Fisheries, Fisheries Branch, 1902-1905.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 51
Conseil permanent international pour l’exploration de la mer. Bulletin des ré_
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296.
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SPECIAL PAPERS.
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XIV, 1878-79, 1.
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REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Agassiz, A. On the Young Stages of some Osseous Fishes; Proc. Amer.
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History, Vol. VII.
Brooks, W. K. The Origin of the Food of Marine Animals; Bull. U. 8.
Fish Commission, XIV, 87.
Butuen, G. E. Plankton Studies in Relation to the Western Mackerel
Fishery; Jour. Mar. Biol. Ass., VIII, 1907-09, 269.
Bumpus, H. C. The Breeding of Animals at Woods Hole during the
Month of March, 1898: Science, N. 8. VII, 485.
Bumpus, H. C. The Breeding of Animals at Woods Hole during the
Month of May, 1898; Science, N.8., VIII., 58.
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Canadian Biology, 1902-1905. Report, Dept. Marine and Fisheries, ~
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REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 53
CunnincHAM, J.T. Marketable Marine Fishes.
CunnincHAM, J. T. On the Rate of Growth of Some Sea Fishes; Jour.
M. B. L. Ass., Plymouth, II, 1891-92, 221.
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54
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GitL, THEopore. Life Histories of the Toadfishes, etce.; Smithson.
Misc. Coll. Vol. 48, 388.
GiLL, THeopore. Some Noteworthy Extra-European Cyprinoids;
Smithson. Mise. Coll., Vol. 48, 297.
Goopk, G. B. The Natural History of Aquatic Animals; The Fisheries
and Fishery Industries of the United States, Section 1, 1884.
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Horsrooke, J. E. Ichthyology of South Carolina.
Hout, E. W. L. On the Eggs and Larval and Post-Larval Stage of
Teleosteans; Scientific Transactions, Roy. Soc. of Dublin. 2. s, Vol. V, 1.
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Ass., Plymouth, V, 1897-99, 107.
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Jorpan, D. 8S. Fishes; American Nature Series, New York.
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1886:
1904:
1901:
1898:
1892:
1892:
1895:
1898:
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Meap, A.D. A Method of Fish Culture and of Transporting Live Fishes.
Prize Paper 4th International Fishery Congress, Washington, 1908;
Reprinted in Report, R. I. Fish Comm., 39, 1908, 79.
Mircuity, 8. L. The Fishes of New York; Trans. Litt. Phil. Soc. New
York, I, 1815.
Mrrcuitt, 8. L. Memoir on Ichthyology. Supplement to the Preceding
paper; Amer. Monthly Mag. and Crit. Rev. II, 1817-1818, 241.
Moorg, H. F. List of Fishes collected at Sea Isle City, New Jersey,
during the summer of 1892; Bull. U. 8. Fish Commission, XII, 357.
Norris, T. American Fish Culture, Philadelphia, 1868.
Peck, J. I. The Sources of Marine Food; Bull. U. 8. Fish Comm. XV,
1895, 351.
Prince, EK. E. The Eggs and Early Life History of the Clupeoids.
Further Contributions to Canadian Biology. 1903-1905; Report,
Dept. Marine and Fisheries, Vol. 39, 1907, 95.
Ratusun, R. Special Observations and Experiments; Report, U. S.
Fish Commission, X VII, 1899-91, 155.
Ryper, J. A. A Contribution to the Embryography of the Osseous
Fishes; Report, U.S. Fish Commission, X, 455.
Ryper, J. A. On the Origin of Heterocercy and the Evolution of Fins
and Fin-rays of Fishes; Report, U.S. Fish Commission, XII, 981.
Ryper, J. A. On the Development of Osseus Fishes, including Marine
and Fresh-Water Forms; Report, U.S. Fish Commission, XIII, 489.
Scott, G. G. Notes on the Marine Food Fishes of Long Island; Report,
New York State Mus., Vol. 54, 214.
SeEeLey, H.G. The Fresh-Water Fishes of Europe.
SHarp, B., and Fowier, H. W. On the Fishes of Nantucket; Proc.
Acad. Phila. LVI, 1904, 504.
SHERWOOD and Epwarps. Biological Notes, No. 2.; Bull. U. 8. Fish
Commission, X XI, 27.
SmitrH, E. Fishes of the Vicinity of New York City; Proc. Linn. Soc. of
New York; Reviewed in Amer. Nat. 32, 207. :
Smiru, H. M. Economic and Natural History Notes on Fishes of the
Northern Coast of New Jersey; Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, XII, 365.
SmitH, H. M. Fishes of the Lower Potomac River; Bull. U.S. Fish
Commission, XII, 63.
Smito, H. M. Notes on an Investigation of the Menhaden Fishery in
1894, with Special reference to the Food Fishes taken; Bull. U. 8. Fish
Commission, XV, 1895, 285.
Smith, H. M. The Fishes Found in the Vicinity of Woods Hole; Bull.
U.S. Fish Commission, XVII, 85.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 57
1898: SmirH, H. M. Fishes New to the Fauna of Southern New England,
Recently Collected at Woods Hole; Science, N. S., VIII, 543.
1901: Smirn, H. M. Additions to the Fish Fauna of Woods Hole in 1900;
Bull. U. S. Fish Com, XXI, 32.
1901: Smrrn, H. M. Notes on the Subtropical Fishes Observed at Woods Hole
in 1900; Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, X XI, 32.
1898: Smrru, H. M., and Bean, T. H. List of the Fishes Known to Inhabit
the Waters of the District of Columbia and Vicinity; Bull. U. 8. Fish
Commission, XXVIII, 179.
1896: Smrru, H. M., and Kenpauyi, W.C. Extension of the recorded Range of
Certain Fishes of the United States Coast; Report, U. 8. Fish Comm.
XXII, 169.
1839: Storer, D. H. Reports on the Ichthyology and the Herpetology of
Massachusetts.
1904: THompson, J. 8. Periodic Growth of Seales in Gadid& as an Index of
Age; Jour. M. B. L. Ass., Plymouth, VII, 1904-1906, 1.
1842: THompson, Zapock. Fishes of Vermont; Included in the “ History of
Vermont, Natural, Civil and Statistical.”
1906: Tracy, H.C. The Fishes of the Mackerel Family; Report, Rhode Island
Fish Commission, Vol. 37, 33.
1906: Tracy, H.C. Rare Fishes taken in Rhode Island in 1906; Report, Rhode
Island Fish Commission, Vol. 37, 65.
1907: Tracy, H.C. The Flat Fishes of Rhode Island; Report, Rhode Island
Fish Commission, Vol. 38, 47.
1876: Unter, P. R., and Luacer, O. List of the Fishes of Maryland; Report,
Commissioners of Fisheries of Maryland, 1876, 67; 1877, 57.
1871: Verrtut, A. E. On the Food and Habits of Some of our Marine Fishes;
Amer. Nat. V, 397.
1902: Zinater, H. E. Lehrbuch der Vergl. Entwickelungsgeschichte der —
niederen Wirbeltiere.
In the following list there are arranged in systematic order, by
families, all species of fishes known to have been found in the waters
of Rhode Island. In nomenclature and sequence of species, ‘The
Fishes of North America,” Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 47, 1896, by
Jordan and Evermann, has been followed except in a very few cases
where good authority seems to justify a change. The fishes enum-
erated belong to 199 species, 160 genera and 87 families. Of these
species about 30 are important food fishes, and about 75 may be
8
58 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
said to be rare, as far as present records go. About 30 have been
taken but once, as far as is authentically recorded. The type speci-
mens. of six,or perhaps seven, were taken in Rhode Island waters.
Twenty-four of these species are exclusively fresh-water fishes, 175
are salt water forms, thirteen of which are anadromous. One
species, the common eel, is katadromous, that is, it passes the greater
part of its life in the fresh water and comes down stream and enters
the ocean to spawn.
PETROMYZONID. The Lampreys.
1. Petromyzon marinus (Linneus). Great Sea Lamprey; Lamprey Eel.
Geog. Dist.: Atlantic coast of Europe and America, south of Chesapeake
Bay. Common throughout New England and New York.
Micrations: Ascends fresh-water streams in spring to spawn.
Season IN R.I.: Rare, sometimes caught in traps in Narragansett Bay, a
few in Taunton River in spring. DeKay in 1842 described specimens
from Providence. (De Kay, New York Fauna, Fishes, 1842, 381.)
Ripe lampreys taken during the latter part of month of May, 1898, at
East Taunton (Bumpus: 1898).
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in fresh water in May and June, dying after the
process.
Foop: Parasitic on other fishes.
Size: Three feet.
REFERENCES:
1882: Goons, Bull. U. 8. Fish Com. XVII, 349:
1893: Gagan, Lake and Brook Lampreys, Wilder’s Quarter Century
Book, 421.
1897: Surrace, Bull. U.S. Fish Com. XVII, 209.
1905: JorpaN, Guide to the Study of Fishes, I., 498.
GALEIDA. The Requiem Sharks.
2. Mustelus canis (Mitchill). Smooth Dogfish; Switchtail.
Gro«G. Dist.: Common south of Cape Cod to Cuba, and in southern Europe,
On the Massachusetts shore this species is occasionally taken as far
north as Salem.
Season in R.1.: Very common from May to November. Small specimens,
one foot long and over, common from August through the season. June
5, 1906, Hazard’s Quarry trap, half dozen specimens, one of which was
female with young.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 59
REPRODUCTION: Viviparous.
Foop: Crabs usually, also lobsters, squids, annelids and fishes.
Size: Three to five feet.
3. Carcharhinus obseurus (Le Sueur). Dusky Shark, Shovel-nose.
Groc. Dist.: The Middle Atlantic. Occasional on Massachusetts shore;
reported in Connecticut from Stratford (Linsley, 1844); occasional on
shore of Long Island.
Season 1n R.1I.: Very common from May to November in outside waters;
occasional in Narragansett Bay.
Hasitrat: Surface of the open water.
Foop: Fishes. Stomach contents have shown skates, squeteague, young
mackerel, menhaden.
Size: Eight to fourteen feet, smallest at Woods Hole, 24 feet. (Smith.)
(Bairp, 8. F. The Sea Fisheries of Eastern North America.
Report, U.S. Fish Comm. XIV, 1886, 3).
4. Carcharhinus milberti (Miiller and Henle). Blwe Shark.
Groa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Florida. Reported from Woods Hole (Baird,
1873; Smith, 1898).
SEASON In R.1.: De Kay describes a specimen 7 feet, 4 inches long, weigh-
ing 160 pounds, taken at Breton’s Reef, September 1842. (De Kay,
New York Fauna, Fishes, 1842, 354.) Small specimens two or three
feet long occasionally taken in the fish traps in August and September.
Foop: Fishes.
SPHYRNIDAZ. The Hammer-Headed Sharks.
5. Sphyrna zygzna (Linneus). Hammer-head.
Groa. Dist.: All warm seas. From Cape Cod and Pt. Conception south-
ward. Reported occasionally on Cape Cod, northward to Provincetown;
taken at Noank, Connecticut (Goode, 1879).
Season In R. I.: Not common, but occasionally occurring from June to
October. In 1905, a specimen three feet long taken August 2nd, in a
fish trap in West Passage, and another reported about two weeks later.
August 14, 1907, female 9 feet, 10 inches long, taken in trap at north
end of Conanicut Island. A few specimens 3 feet long are taken in the
traps each year in the lower part of Narragansett Bay.
Repropuction. Viviparous. ‘Thirty-seven embroyos have been taken
from the oviducts of a female 11 feet long. (Ginther, 1880, p. 318.)
Foop: Fishes, especially menhaden; squids. (Gudger, Science, 25, 1907, 1005.)
Size: Average 4 feet; specimens have been taken up to 13 feet in length.
60
6.
8.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
ALOPID. The Thresher Sharks.
Alopias vulpes (Gmelin). Swing-tail; Whip-tail; Thresher.
Grog. Dist.: Abounds in all warm seas, especially in the Atlantic and
Mediterranean. Frequent on Pacific Coast.
Srason In R.I.: Rare in Narragansett Bay. June 25, 1908, at Quonset
Point, specimen 15 feet long taken in fish trap. A common shark in
outside waters, especially after the scup season. It is a great nuisance
to fishermen. At Woods Hole it is present from April until late in the
faJl. (Smith.)
Foop: Mackerel, menhaden, herring, and other small fishes.
S1zp: Sometimes as large as 300 pounds. From 4 to 20 feet long at Woods
Hole.
CARCHARID. The Sand Sharks.
Carcharias littoralis (Mitchill). Sand Shark.
Geo. Dist.: Atlantic coast, Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras.
Srason 1n R.I.: From May to November it is common, but is less so than
the dogfish.
Foop: Fishes, such as flatfish, menhaden, squeteague, butter-fish, scup.
Also crabs and squids.
Size: Average 44 to 5 feet long, largest 12 feet long.
LAMNID. The Mackerel Sharks.
Isurus dekayi (Gill). Mackerel Shark.
Gro. Dist.: Cape Cod to West Indies.
Season in R.1.: Said to be more common of late years, but not abundant.
Rare in Narragansett Bay. Taken at Tiverton and Point Judith. (U.S.
Nat. Mus. 1887.)
Foop: Small fishes, squids, mackerel, conger eel.
Size: They average 4 or 5 feet, the largest 10 feet, weighing up to 400
pounds.
Lamna cornubica (Gmelin). Blwe Shark; Mackerel Shark.
Groac. Dist.: Newfoundland to West Indies. Common on Massachusetts
coast during mackerel season. In Maine, reported from off Monhegan,
Casco Bay, off Cape Elizabeth; in Massachusetts, from Provincetown
and Gloucester.
Srason 1n R.I.: Said by the fishermen to be more common than the mack-
erel shark (Isurus dekayi), but this species is probably confused with
others. Specimen about 9 feet long taken in trap off Quonset Point,
August 15, 1907.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 61
SQUALID. The Dog-Fishes.
10. Squalus acanthias (Linneus). Dogfish; Spiny Dogfish.
Groce. Dist.: Atlantic, Nova Scotia (Cornish, 1907), south to Cuba and
from the North Cape to the Mediterranean.
Micrations: Probably moves northward in spring a little after the mack-
erel, returning from September to November.
Season IN R.I.: The last of April or first of May to November. Rare in
the Bay, but so common outside as to be a nuisance to the fishermen.
Follows the school of scup in spring.
Hasirat: Open water, following schools of pelagic fishes. (Field, Report
Mass. Fish and Game Comm., 1906.)
REPRODUCTION: Viviparous.
Foop: Fishes, especially herring, mackerel, and scup. Also crustacea and
jelly fishes.
Size: Two to three feet.
SQUATINIDE. The Angel Sharks.
11. Squatina squantina (Linneus). Angel Fish; Monkfish.
Groce. Dist.: Warm seas; common in the Mediterranean; rarely on Atlantic
coast from Cape Cod southward; common on the coast of California,
especially from San Francisco to Monterey. At Woods Hole, specimen
taken in fish trap at Menemsha Bight, September 1, 1873, (Smith,
1898). One taken at same place a few years later. Not common in
New York waters but occasionally seen at Gravesend Bay in summer.
(Bean, 1903).
Season in R. I.: Specimen in Agassiz Museum from Newport (Bean).
Specimen taken West Passage trap, September 14, 1909.
REPRODUCTION: Viviparous, producing about twenty young at a time.
(Bridge, 1904.)
Si1zE: Two to five feet in length.
RAJIDA. The Skates.
12. Raja erinacea (Mitchill). Swmmer Skate; Old Maid.
Geoa. Dist.: Virginia to Maine.
Season In R.1I.: Abundant throughout the year. Specimens 4 inches
long and upwards, taken in beam trawl south of Plum Beach Light,
December 22, 1908.
Repropuction: Eggs common in fish traps in August and September,
July 22, 1908, eggs taken in abundance in dredge to eastward of Hope
Island. Eggs found in Gravesend Bay, Long Island, in March. (Bean.)
(Putnam, Skates Eggs and Young, Amer. Nat. III, 1869, 617.)
62
13.
14,
15.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Foop: Usually crustacea and annelids, but bivalve molluscs, squids, and
small fishes are frequently found in the stomach.
Size: Average 1 to 2 feet. One young specimen, 2 inches long, taken in
trap in Narragansett Bay, October 9, 1905.
Raja ocellata (Mitchill). Big Skate; Winter Skate.
Geoc. Dist.: Atlantic coast northward from New York.
Season IN R.I.: Rare in summer. Occasional from October until May.
April 16, 1906, Dutch Island trap—dozen specimens. September 11,
1905, Sand Blow trap; September 11, 1905, Dutch Island trap; October
9, 1905, Dutch Island trap; December 22, 1908, several specimens
taken in beam trawl south of Plum Beach Light.
Foop: Squids, annelids, crustacea.
Size: Average, three feet.
Raja levis (Mitchill). Barndoor Skate.
Groc. Dist.: Nova Scotia to Florida. Frequently taken at Canso on the
deep sea trawls of hooks. (Cornish, 1907.)
Season IN R.I.: Rare in summer when probably it is in deep water, but
common in spring and from August to October. July 30, 1900, two
were taken off Gay Head by the “Grampus” in 65 to 70 fathoms of
water. These had lobsters in their stomachs. (Bull. U.S. Fish Comm.
XV, 1899, 431.) August 23, 1905, Dutch Island trap, 3 dozen speci-
mens (?); August 27, 1906, Dutch Island trap, 3 specimens; August
27, 1906, Hazard’s Quarry trap, 3 specimens; September 17, 1906,
Wild Goose trap, 2 small specimens.
Repropuction: Eggs found occasionally in September.
Foop: Crustacea. Lobsters have frequently been found in their stomachs.
Size: Four feet.
NARCOBATIDA. The Electric Rays.
Tetranarce occidentalis (Storer). Torpedo; Crampfish.
Geoa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Cuba. In Maine, reported from Casco Bay and
off Sequin; in Massachusetts, from various localities on the Cape Cod
coast and Woods Hole; in Connecticut, from Stratford (Linsley, 1844).
At Woods Hole they are most abundant in October and November.
Season In R.I.: Caught off Sakonnet not uncommonly in midsummer.
Foop: Fishes.
Size: Two to five feet long. Maximum weight, 200 pounds: average 30
pounds; small ones infrequent.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 63
DASYTID. The Sting Rays.
16. Dasyatis centrura (Mitchill). Sting Ray.
Groa. Dist.: Coast of Maine to Cape Hatteras. Reported from Woods
Hole (Storer, 1842, 1863), Chatham (Storer, 1857, 1863), Woods Hole
(Baird, 1873 and Smith, 1898), also from Stratford, Connecticut (Linsley
1844). Formerly common at Gravesend Bay, but now rare. (Bean,
- 1903.)
Season In R.I.: Said to have been very common formerly, but are small
and few at present. Specimen three feet, four inches long, taken August
8, 1906, at Goose Neck, just south of Wickford Light.
Repropuction: Moore records the birth of young in aquarium. Two
broods were born, one of four young and the other of five, on August
10 and 15. In neither case did the mothers long survive the birth.
The parents measured two feet across the “wings; the young were
about five or six inches across. After August 20, all the specimens taken
were the young of the year. (Moore, 1892.)
Foop: Large species of invertebrates such as crabs, squid, clams, sea
snails. Sometimes small fishes and annelids.
Size: Reaches a length of ten to twelve feet.
17. Dasyatis hastata (De Kay).
Groa. Dist.: West Indies north to Rhode Island.
The type specimen originally described by De Kay in 1842, was a female
captured in September off the Rhode Island coast (De Kay, New
York Fauna, Fishes, 1842, 373). Also reported from Massachusetts,
Holmes Hole (Storer, 1842), and at Chatham (Storer, 1858).
18. Pteroplatea maclura (LeSueur). Butterfly Ray; Angel-Fish.
Geoa. Dist.: Woods Hole to Brazil. Woods Hole, is rare, and observed
mostly in August and September (Smith). Reported from Saybrook
and New Haven (Linsley, 1844). Rare at Gravesend Bay (Bean).
Season In R.I.: Rare. The type specimen of this species described by
LeSueur was taken in 1817. (LeSueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1817,
41.) In July, 1900, a specimen 23 inches long was taken in the southern
part of Narragansett Bay by the Lewis Brothers of Wickford.
MYLIOBATID. The Eagle Rays.
19. Myliobatis freminvillei (LeSueur). Sharp-headed Ray; Sting Ray.
Groa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil. Not common at Woods Hole (Smith,
1898). Found in Connecticut, Noank. (Garman, 1885.)
64
20.
21.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
SrasoniInR.I.: Notverycommon. The original type specimen described
by LeSueur was taken in 1824, from Rhode Island. (LeSueur, Jour.
Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1V, 1824.) De Kay mentions specimens from Rhode
Island. (De Kay, New York Fauna, 1842, 376.) Mr. John O. Lewis of
Wickford says that several have been taken in traps in Narragansett
Bay, near Saunderstown.
Rhinoptera bonasus (Mitchill). Cow-nosed Ray; Sting Ray.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Florida. Taken at Woods Hole, (Smith 1898),
and Nantucket, (Sharp and Fowler, 1904), and at Stratford, Connecti-
cut (Linsley, 1844).
Season In R. I.: An immense school of these fishes once seen off Block
Island by Captain Mason, of Tiverton. Said to have been more com-
mon formerly.
REPRODUCTION: Viviparous, breeding season lasting over five or six
months.
Foon: Chiefly molluscs; also crustacea, crabs, and lobsters.
Size: 100 pounds.
ACIPENSERIDA. The Sturgeons.
Acipenser sturio (Linnzus). Sturgeon.
Groa. Dist.: Ascends rivers of Atlantic coast of Europe and America;
common from New England to Carolina. Reported from rivers and
coast waters of Maine and Massachusetts and from Long Island Sound.
Season IN R. I.: Rather common in traps off Sakonnet from May to
November. Said to have been more common formerly; 25 years ago 5
or 6 were caught in traps at a time. Small specimens two or three feet
long now occasionally taken in summer in Narragansett Bay. Common
at Block Island.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 65
The Following Table Shows the Distribution by Months and Years of the Sturgeon
Shipped from Rhode Island between 1903 and 1908.
|
i}. | 3
= Fe g 5 aj
> ¢ > 2 | 2 3 aN!
= 5 5 < a } Zz =
UG O Ste raccyeicie 5 s.cyendvodor's oueeve aifole coe che. Dive lvovo.enere, <llteherctee.s [la shetin ots 1 Sian ocieere 11
AGO SM secls -se coe nee itke er eno a 14 3 Shell lists attedo ol Wen eer 2 4 26
NGO G Arertererstehov cis seater sireualia eveieste. seh maavenlltaleven eens DL Whovaeus seed ewete cuss alllavee Syotel| esr etowete 11
MO OM epee tayo aysvers, rao, 0 a apeysrerers wegen 2 Shel Pacatbnrsc 1A | eres ache 3 13
GOSH ye choke scenes cee reer ee DAMP || erate se getes tet aretenere NP eee sesh orca lke eas, hea |[eieaseeceas 3
MRO tas at costess c-aketa setae crcrece ls 21 13 ila 1 2 9 Of 64
Repropuction: Ascends rivers to spawn in spring and summer. Eggs,
2.6 mm. in diameter. (For development and description of eggs and
young, see Ryder. Bull. U. 8. Fish Comm. VIII, 1881, 231, and Dean,
Fishes, Living and Fossil, 1895, p. 202, 221; Brice, Report U. 8S. Fish
Com. XXIII, 1897, 189. W.S. Tower, Pop. Sci. Mon., 73, 1908, 361.)
Foop: Molluscs and crustacea, which it obtains by grubbing in the mud.
(See Ryder, loc. cit.)
Size: Five to 12 feet, weighing 50 to 300 pounds.
22. Acipenser brevirostrum (LeSueur). Short-nosed Sturgeon.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Florida, rare northward, extending further
southward than other species. Reported from Boston Harbor, Waquoit,
Rockport and Woods Hole, though none of the writers make very definite
statements. Specimens ‘taken at Gravesend Bay, May 13, 1896 (Bean,
1903).
Season IN R. I.: Occurs in company with the common sturgeon, which it
resembles in habit. Ryder (Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. VIII, 1888, p. 231)
has described the species and its natural history.
REPRODUCTION: In Delaware river, it spawns in May. Eggs are adhesive
and deposited in depths of 1 to 5 fathoms in hard bottom in brackish
water. Period of hatching is 4 to 6 days. (Dean, Zool. Anz. XVI.,
1893, 473.)
9
23.
24.
25.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Foop: The young up to the third month feed on microscopic organisms in
the water. Later, they feed on small crustacea, copepods, alge,
annelids, ete. The adults feed on crustacea, and molluscs.
SILURIDA. The Cat-Fishes.
Felichthys felis* (Mitchill). Sea Catfish; Gafftopsail Cat.
Goa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Texas, common southward. Specimens taken
at Woods Hole (Baird, 1873), New Bedford (Goode, 1879), Menemsha
Bight (Smith, 1898).
SEASONIN R.I.: Specimens from Newport in Powell Collection of the Bos-
ton Society of Natural History. (Kendall, 1908). Specimen taken
at Brenton Reef Light Ship, September 16, 1898.
Hapitat: More common northward than G. milberti and more of a deep
water fish than that species.
Repropuction: Large eggs and similar in habit to G. milberti (Henshall).
For an account of the incubation of the eggs of Marine Catfishes, see
Pellegrin, (Comp. Rendu. French, Ass. Ady. Sci. 1907, and Sci. Amer.,
N.S. 64, 1907, 260.)
Size: 26 inches.
Galeichthys milberti* (Linneus). Sea Cat-Fish.
Grog. Disr.: Cape Cod to Texas, common southward. Was formerly
common in spring in Vineyard Sound, but now rare. (Smith.)
Srason In R.I.: Rare in R. I.; Narragansett Bay (R.1. Fish Com. 1894,
211):
Hasitat: Bottom fish along sandy coast.
Repropuction: Eggs, large and incubated in the gill cavity of the male.
(Henshall, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. 1894, 211.)
Foop: Omnivorous; chief diet worms and crustacea.
Size: 24 inches.
Ameiurus nebulosus (LeSueur). Horned Pout; Bullhead.
Grog. Dist.: Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, to Maine, Florida and Texas;
abundant in all New England States.
Seasonin R.1.: Generally present in all fresh water ponds in Rhode Island.
Reported from Mashapaug, Randalls, Benedict, and Fenners ponds;
Poneganset Reservoir, Pocasset River (Kendall, 1908); ponds and
streams in North Kingstown, Carolina, and Pascoag. Also from the
* These specific names are on the authority of Giinther who examined Linneaus’ collection
of fishes. See Jordan, Amer. Nat, 34, 1900, 70.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 67
following ponds: Roger Williams Park, Print Works, Spectacle, Dyers,
Randall, Kings, Georgiaville, Olney, Scotts, Herring, Round, Wallum,
Sucker, Bowdish, Keech, Moswansicut, Wordens, Hundred Acre, Thirty
Acre, and Yawgoo; and from the following reservoirs: Slack, Sprague,
Waterman, Wilson, Burlingame, Poneganset, Smith and Sayles, and
from Silver Lake.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in April and May, eggs 4-inch in diameter and
are adhesive; they are deposited in shallow water and guarded by the
parents.
Foop: Feeds on all kinds of animal life, including young and ova of
other fishes. (Kendall, Bull. U. 8. Fish Com. 1902, 404.) Apparently
feeds largely at night.
REFERENCES:
1883: RyprEr, Bull. U.S. Fish Com. III., 225.
1890: Dean, Report State Fish Com. N. Y, 19.
1901: HKycuesHymer, Amer. Nat. XXXV, 911.
1902: Kernpatt, Bull. U. 8. Fish Com., XXII., 401.
1902: Siro and Harron, Bull. U.S. Fish Com. XXII, 151.
1903: SmuirxH, Science, February 13th, 243.
CATOSTOMIDA. The Suckers.
26. Catostomus commersonii (Lacépéde). Common Sucker; Brook Sucker.
Geog. Dist.: Quebec and the Great Lakes to Montana, Colorado, Missouri,
and Georgia. Abundant in ponds and streams of Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Vermont and Massachusetts. (Kendall, 1908.) In Connecticut,
mentioned by De Kay (1842), and by Linsley (1844).
Season 1n R.1.: Probably common in R.I. Recorded from Larkins and
Mashapaug Pond, Sucker Brook, Queens, Pawcatuck, and Moosup
Rivers.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in shallow, swift water, in May and June.
Hasirat: Fresh water streams and ponds.
Foop: Insects, worms, molluses, young fishes, and fish ova. The young
feed on diatoms, desmids, and black fly larve. (Kendall and Golds-
borough, Bureau of Fisheries Doc. 633, 1908, p. 24).
Size: Maximum, 22 inches.
27. Erimyzon sucetta oblongus.
Groa. Dist.: Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley, eastward. Common in
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Reported from
Connecticut at “ Housatonic.” (Kingsley, 1844.)
68
28.
30.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Hasitat: Very abundant in lakes and lowland streams.
Season IN R. I.: Reported from Larkins Pond, Queens River, and ponds
and streams in North and South Kingstown.
Foop: Crustacea, insect larve and aquatic plants.
Size: About ten inches.
CYPRINID. The Carps.
Abramis crysoleucas (Mitchill). Golden Shiner; Roach; Dace.
Grog. Dist.: Nova Scotia and Maryland to Dakota and Texas.
Srason In R. I.: Reported from Benedicts, Mashapaug, Dyers, Cunliff,
Sucker, Herring, Larkins, and Belleville Ponds, Queens and Pawtucket
Rivers.
Hasitat: Fresh water. Sluggish species, frequently found in ponds and
cutoffs, preferring those where the bottom is covered with aquatic plants.
(Gill, Smithsonian Mise. Coll. 48, 1907, 307.)
REPRODUCTION: _Spawns in May. The young reach 14 inches long in
December. (Bean, 1901.)
Size: Adult is from 6 inches to a foot long.
Notropis cornutus (Mitchill). Shiner, Red-fin.
Grog. Dist.: Entire region east of Rocky Mountains, except South Atlan-
tic States and Texas. Common throughout New England.
Spason IN R. I.: Reported by R. I. Fish Commission, 1899. Probably
present throughout the State; reported from Belleville and Larkins
Ponds, Queens and Ten Mile Rivers.
Hasirat: Small streams.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in spring and early summer; eggs are deposited
in a hollow made in a gravelly shoal where the current is swift. (Ken-
dall, 1908; Gill, Smithsonian Misc. Coll., 48, 1907, 301.)
Foop: Carnivorous, feeding on all small aquatic animals and insects.
Size: Five to eight inches.
Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed Dace.
Grog. Dist.: New England to Minnesota, Northern Alabama, and Vir-
ginia. Common throughout New England.
Hasirat: Fresh water. Abundant in clear brooks and mountain streams.
Season in R.1.: Probably present throughout streams of the northern and
western parts of the State. (R. I. Fish Com., 1899.)
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in spring and early summer. (Gill, Smithsonian
Mise. Coll., 48, 1907, 308; Holder, Harper’s New Monthly Mag., Dec.
1883, 100; Gregg. Amer. Nat. XIII, 1879, 321.)
31.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 69
Foop: Feeds on small aquatic animals and insects; young specimens were
found feeding on diatoms, entomostraca, small aquatic worms and
insects. (Kendall, 1908.)
Size: Three inches.
Carassius auratus (Linneus). Goldfish.
Groa. Dist.: The goldfish or silverfish is a native of Asia, whence it was
introduced into Europe and from there to America, where it now is one
of the commonest aquarium fishes, and is abundant in many of our
streams. De Kay says that the goldfish was introduced from China
into Europe in the early part of the 17th century and probably shortly
afterward found its way into this country.
Hasitat: Introduced into aquaria, fountains, reservoirs, ponds, and lakes.
In many streams and ponds it has run wild and returned almost entirely
to the original olivaceous type. In the fauna of the moraine ponds and
in quarry holes, the goldfish stands first. (HE. Smith, 1898.)
Season in R.I.: This introduced species has run wild in certain ponds and
streams of the State. Abundant in ponds in Roger Williams Park, in
Easton’s Pond, Providence, and in Railroad Pond, East Providence.
Repropuction: It spawns early in the spring. The eggs are about 1.5
mm. in diameter and are laid singly upon weeds and other fixed objects.
They hatch in 8 or 9 days after fertilization. (Ryder, Report, U.8.
Fish Commission, XIII, 1885, 506.)
Size: It grows to a length of about twelve inches.
Cyprinus carpio (Linneus). The Carp.
Geroc. Dist.: Native of Asia and introduced into Europe and America.
(The history of the carp in Europe has been summarized by Cole, Report
Bureau of Fisheries, 1904, 537.) Introduced into America by the U.§.
Fish Commission in 1877.
Hasitat: Moderately warm, shallow waters with an abundance of aquatic
vegetation and deeper places to which the fish can retreat are the most
favorable conditions for the carp. They are very adaptable, however,
and are often found, though in lesser numbers, in other places. During
the winter they seek deep holes, where they remain in a semi-torpid con-
dition. F
Season in R. I.: Abundant in Cunliff Pond, ponds in Roger Williams
Park and connecting streams; found in Mashapaug Pond and vicinity;
Slocum Pond and Queens River.
Repropuction: The eggs are small, but laid in enormous numbers. The
eggs sink; they are not laid in bunches or masses, but are scattered about
70
33.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
in the water; they are adhesive and become attached to the roots and
stems of grass and other aquatic vegetation. The eggs develop rapidly
and in temperate regions hatch in about 12 days, and from 2 to 6 days in
the warm water of the south. (Cole, loc. cit.; Gill, Smithsonian, Misc.
Coll., 48, 1907, 195.)
Foop: Omnivorous, but vegetable matter normally forms the chief part
of its diet. Much of its food the carp obtains by rooting in the mud.
Often, however, they feed at the surface and eat small floating plants,
insects and their larve, andvegetable material dropped or blown into
the water.
Size: Growth depends on temperature and food supply. In temperate
regions it normally reaches 3 pounds in three years. Sometimes weighs
over 30 pounds. ;
ANGUILLIDA. The True Eels.
Anguilla rostrata* (Rafinesque). el.
GroGc. Dist.: Gulf of St. Lawrence to Mexico. Ascends rivers east of
Rockies and south of Canada.
Mierations: Adults move down the rivers into the ocean in the autumn
to spawn. The young move from salt water into fresh in spring.
Migration of young 2 to 3 inches long up Taunton, Warren, and
Kickamuit Rivers takes place from about April 15 to May 15.
Season 1n R. I.: Abundant throughout the year in both fesh and salt
water, but are most numerous in the autumn when the females are
descending the rivers. Reported at Newport by LeSueur in 1817.
About April 15, 1905, the eels in Greenwich Bay, R. I., for a period of
about three weeks, died in great numbers.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning takes place in the ocean in winter. The place
of spawning is probably in water 500 fathoms or more deep, along the
steep slope where the continental plateau shelves off into the great
oceanic depths. The young when hatched are in a larval condition and
known as Leptocephali, which require nearly a year for the metamorph-
osis into young eels. In the meantime they gradually approach the
coast and enter the rivers in April and May, i. e., in the spring a year
after hatching. The young eels, two or three inches long, which can be
seen moving up the rivers in the spring are thus a year and two or three
months old. The mature eels which migrate down the rivers in the
autumn to spawn are probably eight to ten years old (Gemzée). They
* Baan. Science, May 28, 1909.
34.
ad
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 71
die after spawning. (For a general summary of the life history of the
eel and reference to the most important modern work on the subject,
see Gill, 1908, and Tracy, 1908.)
Foop: The eel is an excellent scavenger, eating all kinds of dead animal
matter. It also feeds on small fishes, shrimp, crabs, molluscs, worms,
etc.
Size: Four or five feet. Young taken when ice breaks up in the spring,
one to one and a half inches long. Professor Jenks found specimens 24
inches long April 19th.
REFERENCES:
1864: Gru, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.
1881: Goong, Bull. U.S. Fish Com., I., 71.
1886: DerLarGe, Compte, Rendu. CIII, 690.
1897: McInrosu and Masrerman, British Marine Food Fishes, 434.
1908: Gut, Science, N.S. XXVIII, 845.
1908: Tracy, Report R. I. Fish Com., 43.
1909: ExrensAum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 380.
LEPTOCEPHALID. The Conger Eels.
Leptocephalus conger (Linneus). Conger Eel.
Grog. Dist.: Cosmopolitan, except not found in eastern Pacific.
Mierations: Moves into deep water for spawning; does not run into
fresh water.
Hasitat: Salt and brackish water.
SEASON IN R. I.: Scattering specimens in spring and summer, common
from August to November. Reported by Mitchill from Block Island,
1818. In the U.S. Museum are casts of two specimens taken at Block
Island by the U. 8. Fish Commission, September 26, 1874. One of
these weighed eleven pounds. September 24, 1906, West Passage trap,
two specimens; April 30, 1906, Dutch Island trap, one specimen; May
27, 1905, Dutch Island trap; June 5, 1906, Hazard’s Quarry trap, three
specimens; August 8, 1906, Goose Neck trap, three specimens; August
23, Dutch Island trap, specimen; August 27, 1905, Sand Blow trap,
large specimen.
ReEpropuctTion: Spawning takes place in deep off shore waters of the
ocean, probably in late summer. On American coast, eggs taken by
the ‘‘Grampus”’ in the beginning of August. Eggs are 2.4 to 2.75 mm.
in diameter, have segmental] yolk like Clupeoid eggs, and possess one to
six oil globules. There is a larval stage and a metamorphosis, as in the
case of the common eel. (For a brief statement of the life history of the
72
35.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Conger eel, see McIntosh and Mastermann, British Marine Food fishes,
1897, 450; Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 1909, 384. For a
description of eggs and larve, see Eigenmann, Bull. U. 8. Fish Com.
XXI, 1901, 37. For the American Leptocephalus forms, see Eigenmann
and Kennedy, Bull. U. 8. Fish Com., X-XI, 1901, 81.)
Foop: Fishes, snails, shrimp, worms. According to the Lewis Brothers of
Wickford, small lobsters are frequently found in stomachs of congers.
Size: Average, four to six feet. Smallest observed at Woods Hole are
15 to 20 inches long.
ELOPID. The Tarpons.
Tarpon atlanticus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Tarpon.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil; common in the West Indies; on the
coast this species is most abundant in Florida and Texas. Recorded
from Massachusetts at South Dartmouth, Quisset, Menemsha (Smith
1898), Martha’s Vineyard, Woods Hole (Sherwood and Edwards, 1901).
Mierations: On the southern coast of Florida it appears in February
and increases rapidly in numbers in March, April and May; in Texas
it appears early in March. About the first of December they disappear
from Florida and Texas. In tropical seas, they may be found always;
at Tampico, Mexico, they are most abundant from November first until
April, which coincides with the time when they are absent from Florida
and Texas.
Hasitat: ‘Tropical waters; ascends streams in pursuit of small fry.
SEASONINR.I.: Rare. Stragglers are reported by the fishermen. Several
on record from Newport and Sakonnet, all of which were taken in the
month of August so far as is known. Specimen taken August, 1874,
at Newport, by Mr. Samuel Powell (photograph No. 398, in U. 8. Nat.
Mus.). In 1895, two tarpon taken in trap in Coddington Cove, Newport,
one weighing over 100 pounds; later, one was caught at Bailey’s Point,
Middletown, and sometime after that another taken off High Hill, on
Portsmouth shore of Sakonnet River; all these were taken in August (J.
G. Costello, of the Newport News). Mr.J.M. K. Knowles, of Wakefield,
is authority for the statement that a tarpon five feet long and weighing
30 pounds was taken near Dutch Island Harbor, Narragansett Bay, in
1900. On August 11, 1906, three tarpon caught in trap off Second
Beach, near Purgatory, one weighing 97 pounds, and the other two
together, 90 pounds; a few days later, two more were taken in the same
trap, each somewhat smaller than the large one referred to just above.
36.
37.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 73
About the first of August, 1906, a medium sized tarpon was taken in
a trap in Mackerel Cove. (Costello).
Repropuction: Does not breed north of Cuba. Its larva will probably
be found like that of its relatives, elongated ribbon-shaped animal,
transparent and with small head and fins. (Gill, The Tarpon and
Ladyfish and their Relatives, Smithsonian Misc. Coll., 48, 1907, 31.)
Foop: Schools of small fishes, especially mullets.
Rate oF GrRowtH: On the coast of Florida only mature fish are taken;
these average about six feet long, but sometimes weigh as much as 180
pounds. Everman and Marsh collected young 2} to 34 inches long in a
mangrove swamp at Fajardo, Porto Rico, in February, 1899; also in a
brackish pool they found specimens 4.7 to 11.5 inches long.
Elops saurus (Linneus). Yen Pounder; Big-eyed Herring.
Grog. Dist.: Tropical seas to Carolina, straying north to Cape Cod. In
Massachusetts reported from Woods Hole (Baird, 1873), New Bedford,
Woods Hole (Bean, 1880), Vineyard Sound, Buzzards Bay (Smith,
1898), Nantucket (Sharp and Fowler, 1904). Appears occasionally at
Long Island in October. At Woods Hole, according to Dr. Smith, it is
“Common in fall, none appearing before October.”
Season In R.I.: So rare that it is not usually recognized by fishermen.
Specimen 14 inches long, taken in trap at Dutch Island Harbor, Nar-
ragansett Bay, October 29, 1905.
Repropuction: Does not breed on our coast. The young are ribbon-
shaped, long, thin and transparent, and pass through a metamorphosis
like the fishes of the eel family. (Jordan and Evermann, American
Food and Game Fishes, 1902, p. 86.)
Hapitat: Open seas.
Foop: Shrimp and small fishes.
Size: Three feet. At Woods Hole, average length 18 to 20 inches.
ALBULIDA. The Lady-Fishes.
Albula vulpes (Linnzus). Lady-jish.
Grog. Dist. Tropical seas on sandy coasts, north to Woods Hole. Speci-
men taken at Great South Bay, L. I., late in the fall (Bean, 1903).
Reported at Woods Hole in 1871, by Baird, and rarely since then.
Hasitat: Shore fishes, feeding on muddy or sandy flats. (Gill, Smith-
sonian Mise. Coll. 48, 1907, 40.)
Season IN R.I.: Specimens are reported ‘by fishermen. A specimen from
10
74 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Newport is in the U.S. National Museum. (Proc. U. 8S. Nat. Mus.,
1880, 107.)
RepropuctTion: The young are transparent, band-shaped, and have a
small head; they pass through a metamorphosis as do the eels and the
ten-pounder. In the Gulf of California the young are abundant and
are often thrown up by the waves on the beach in great numbers.
(Jordan and Everman, loc. cit.)
Foop: Shell fishes, especially small bivalve molluscs.
RATE oF GROWTH: In the metamorphosis they shrink from three or three
and a half to two inches. (Gilbert). The adult reaches one and one-
half to three feet.
CLUPEID. The Herrings.
38. Etrumeus sadina (Mitchill). Round Herring.
Groac. Dist.: Cape Cod to Gulf of Mexico, on sandy shores; not rare
southward. Reported at Woods Hole (Bean, 1880), Menemsha Bight
(Smith, 1898). Apparently not rare on the southern coast of Long
Island (Bean).
Season in R.I.: Specimen in U. 8. National Museum taken at Newport
by Mr. Samuel Powell. (Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1879, 59.)
RATE oF GRowTH: Young specimens 44 inches long taken at Gravesend
Bay, July 30, 1896 (Bean). Adults are ten inches long.
39. Clupea harengus (Linneus). Sea Herring; Blue Back.
Groce. Dist.: North Atlantic Ocean, Europe, and America. South to Cape
Hatteras, but not abundant south of Cape Cod.
Srasonin R.I.: Winter herring arrive in October or November and remain
until very cold weather. The spring run arrive in May, and the fishes
of that run are larger and more numerous. April 16, 1906, Dutch
Island trap, half a dozen large specimens and a few small ones, six
inches; April 30, 1906, Sand Blow trap, a dozen specimens; April 30,
1906, Dutch Island trap specimens; May 27, 1905, Dutch Island Har-
bor trap, a few specimens; June 5, 1906, Hazard’s Quarry trap, a
few specimens; October 29, 1905, Dutch Island Harbor trap.
Hasirat: Surface of the water.
Repropuction: Some schools spawn in the spring and others in the
autumn. The fall schools spawn to west of Bay of Fundy, spring schools
to the east of that point. Spawning takes place in Penobscot Bay,
September and October; at Woods Hole, after middle of September;
along the coast of Massachusetts, about October first; at No Man’s Land,
40.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 75
for three or four weeks, beginning October 15; at Block Island, Novem-
ber. Spawning takes place at a temperature between 47° and 57° F., in
the open coast waters not deeper than 30 fathoms. (H. IF. Moore, Report
U.S. Fish Commission, X XII, 1896, 40.) Eggs are 1-20 inch in diameter,
adhesive, and are deposited on the bottom., They hatch in a period
varying from nine to fourteen days, depending on the temperature of
the water. The young are then 7-24 inch (5 to 7 mm.) long. At
Woods Hole, according to Dr. Smith, “schools of large herring in a
spawning condition appear about October 15, and remain till very cold
weather sets in.”
Rate or GRrowtTH: At Woods Hole, in January, young herring one-fourth
inch long are taken in tow nets, and in May they are 1 to 1} inches long;
by August they have attained a length of 24 to3 inches. Fish three to
five inches long are found from September Ist to the end of the season.
About June Ist, for two weeks, there is large run of herring smaller
than those of the fall run in Narragansett Bay. Schools of young,
about two to four inches long, are common in Apriland May. Young
specimens two inches long taken June 6, 1893 (Prof. Jenks). Young
42 to 6 inches taken in Gravesend Bay, November 23, 1897.
Masterman summarizes the life history of the young herring, as fol-
lows: ‘The young larva, hatched at about 5 to 7 mm. (4 inch) in length,
lives near the bottom till some 10 mm. (2-5 inch) is attained by a rapid
increase in length. The attenuated post-larval herring then migrates
upward through the mid-water to the surface, the mid-water stage
lasting from 10 mm. to 23-24 mm., and the surface stage from 24 mm.
to 27-28 mm. (1{ inch) when a movement shoreward takes place, and
the littoral habit is acquired.’’ (Masterman, 1896.)
Foop: Small pelagic invertebrates, chiefly copepods, and larve of worms
and molluscs.
REFERENCES:
1886: CunniNcHAM, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, 33, 97.
1890: McIn10sH and Princes, ibid. 35, 854.
1896: CunnrinGHAM, Marketable Marine Fishes.
1896: MastTERMAN, Report Fishing Board of Scotland, 14, 294.
1897: Bricre, Report U.S. Fish Com., XXIII, 225.
1897: McInvrosH and MastrerMan, British Marine Food Fishes, 405.
1909: EnRrEeNBAUM, Nordishes Plankton, 10, 361.
Pomolobus mediocris (Mitchill). Hickory Shad.
Groa. Dist.: Florida to Bay of Fundy.
76
41.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Season IN R. I.: Arrives in the spring; specimens are common from
August first to November. April 30, 1906, Dutch Island trap; August
8, 1906, Goose Neck trap, half a dozen specimens; September 24, 1906,
West Passage traps, half a dozen specimens; August 27, 1905, Sand
Blow trap, two specimens; October 9, 1905, Sand Blow trap; also
taken on August 10, September 11, October 2.
Repropuction: The location of the breeding grounds is uncertain. Some
authorities say that this species does not ascend rivers to spawn; others
maintain that it spawns in fresh water under the same conditions as
shad.
Foop: Small fishes, crustacea, squids.
Size: Maximum, 24 inches.
Pomolobus pseudoharengus (Wilson). Alewije; Branch Herring; River
Herring; Buckie.
Grog. Dist.: Atlantic coast of the United States. Nova Scotia to Vir-
ginia.
Mierations: Arrives off Virginia and Maryland about March 1. Said
to arrive at Cape Cod about April first, a month before the scup.
Season In R.I.: This is one of the first fish to arrive in the spring, the
traps at that time sometimes being full of them. Comes in March,
running up into fresh water through March, April, and the first of May.
After that, in May and June, a few stragglers are taken on their way back
to salt water. The dates of their arrival in Taunton River, kept by
Mr. Elisha Slade, from 1871 to 1883, show that their earliest appearance
during that time was February 28, 1880, and the latest, March 28, 1875-
April 16, 1906, Dutch Island trap, 1,700 specimens; April 30, 1906,
Sand Blow trap, 1,200 specimens; September 24, 1906, West Passage,
traps, a few specimens.
ReprRopDucTION: Spawns during March and April in fresh water. Young
taken all summer. (Bean). The eggs are 1-20 inch in diameter,
adhesive, and deposited in shoal water. At hatching, the larve are 1-5
inch long (6mm.). (For description of eggs and young, see Ryder, Re-
port of U.S. Fish Com. XIII, 1885, 505, and Prince, Further Con-
tributions to Canadian Biology, 1907, 95; also Brice, Report U.S. Fish
Com. XXIII, 1897, 186.)
Foop: Minute free-swimming crustscea. Sometimes young squids and
small shrimp.
Rate oF GRowtH: The young hatched from the eggs in the spring, become
three or four inches long before winter. August 8, 1908, specimens
42.
43.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 77
taken at Cornelius Island in seine, 14 inches long (61 mm.; 63 mm.;
65mm.) Bean took specimens in Great South Bay, Long Island, 2} to
3% inches long on August 8th; specimens 34 to 74 inches on August
9th, the larger ones probably being the young of the previous year;
specimens 2? to 4 inches on August 23; specimens 2 to 44 inches in
September, (Bean, 1901.). Young are hatched in June and treble their
length in a month. Specimens from 3 to 6} inches (75 to 141 mm.)
taken middle of August, St. John’s Harbor, N. B. The largest may not
have been the young of that season. (Prince, 1907. Plates and
descriptions of young.)
Pomolobus estivalis (Mitchill). Glut Herring; Blackback.
Grog. Dist. Coast waters of United States north to Maine. Less abun-
dant northward than the preceding species.
MicRaAtions: Similar to the alewife (P. pseudoharengus), except that it
appears later and remains in fresh water for a shorter time.
Srason in R.I.: It appears from two weeks to a month later than the
alewife.
Repropuction: Similar to the alewife, but about two weeks later. The
spawning grounds are probably confined to brackish water in ponds,
and in large streams not far above tide-water. July 20, 1905, young
specimens two inches long seined at Cold Spring Beach; June 5, 1906,
Hazard’s Quarry trap, a few large specimens.
Foop: Free-swimming crustacea.
Alosa sapidissima (Wilson). Shad.
Grog. Dist.: From Alabama along the whole Atlantic coast. Introduced
by the U. S. Fish Commission into the rivers of the Pacific coast.
Mricrations: Probably lives in deep water in winter, or near Gulf Stream,
coming into shore waters when the temperature reaches 60° F., running ~
up rivers to spawn. When this process is completed they probably
return to salt water. The young, when hatched, remain in rivers till
autumn, then move into salt water. In Florida, shad ascends rivers
in December; rivers of Georgia in January; the Potomac, April; rivers
from the Delaware, northward to Canada, May and June. A month
later the empty fish descend to the river in an emaciated condition, fol-
lowed by the young somewhat later.
Season in R.1I.: Arrives last of March and runs for about six weeks. A
large specimen taken August 3, 1905, at Rumstick Point. Specimen
three inches long, taken October 29, 1905, Dutch Island Harbor; this
was probably hatched from spawn of the previous spring, and was then
78 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
on its way to salt water. Dates of arrival in Taunton River from 1871
to 1883 range from March 10th, in 1880, to April 5th, in 1883. June
5, 1906, Hazard’s Quarry trap, two specimens; in 1906, arrived at
West Passage traps middle of March. Specimen taken in Warren
River, March 23, 1910.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning takes place in fresh water in April and May.
Spawns in May and June. The eggs after being laid roll loosely on the
rocks, sand, or shelving flats, in non-tidal parts of the rivers. Eggs
are semi-buoyant, non-adhesive, one-eighth inch in diameter (3.24
mm.), and take eight days to hatch in water 60°F. Larva at hatching
are nine twenty-fourths inch (9.29 mm.) long. The shad returns to
salt water after spawning, as is shown by the capture of spent fish,
“Racers’’ on the opposite side of the net.
Foop: Like other members of this family, its chief food supply consists of
minute free-swimming crustacea.
Rate or GRowTH: Young, six to eight inches long, are taken in large
numbers in the fall at Long Island. (Bean, 1901.) Larva doubles its
length in ten days after hatching, measuring 3-5 inch (15.73 mm.) in
length; in 20 days it is 4-5 inches (19 mm.) long; in 40 days is 2 to 2}
inches (56.95 mm.) long. On the seventieth day it reaches three or
four inches (75 to 100 mm.), in four months, five to seven inches (125
to 175 mm.). Shad, three to five inches long taken in rivers from Sep-
tember to February; in Potomac River specimens three inches long are
abundant in November, at which time shad five to seven inches long
are found in Maine rivers. Shad nine to thirteen and one-half inches
are frequent in Canadian waters in October, which must be the young
of the preceding year. (Prince, 1907.)
REFERENCES:
1872: Yarrow, Report U.S. Fish Com. I, 452.
1882: RypeEr, Bull. U. 8. Fish Com. IT, 179.
1891: Wort, Bull. U.S. Fish Com. XI. 201.
1897: Bricr, Report U.S. Fish Com. XXIII, 133.
1907: Prince, Further Contributions to Canadian Biology, 100.
44, Opisthonema oglinum (LeSueur). Thread Herring.
Groac. Dist.: West Indian fauna, straying to Cape Cod. Taken at in-
tervals at Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, (Smith, 1898). Abun-
dant in July and August at Gravesend Bay, (Bean.)
Season In R. I1.: The type specimen described in 1817 by LeSueur was
taken at Newport. (Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., I, 1817, 359.) In the
“REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 79
U. 8. National Museum is a specimen taken at Newport by the U.S.
Fish Commission. (Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1879, 60.) <A few have been
taken very rarely since.
45. Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe). Menhaden; Pogy; Bony Fish.
Grog. Dist.: Nova Scotia to Brazil.
Micrations: The migrations of the menhaden are largely determined
directly by the water temperature; they enter the coast waters in the
spring when the average harbor temperature reaches about 50° F., and
leave in the autumn when the temperature falls below that point. The
approximate time of the arrival of the first schools is given as follows,
by G. Brown Goode: Chesapeake Bay, March and April; New Jersey,
April and early May; south coast of New England, late April and May;
Cape Ann, middle May; Gulf of Maine, last of May and June. They
leave the Maine coast in September and October; Massachusetts, in
October and November and December; Long Island Sound, November
and December; Chesapeake Bay, December; Cape Hatteras, January;
further south they remain throughout the year. It will be seen that
they arrive somewhat later than the shad and alewife, about the same
time as scup, and in advance of the squeteague and bluefish, and remain
longer in the autumn than any of these, except possibly the two last-
named species. This order of appearance is what would naturally be
expected in view of the fact that the squeteague and bluefish are
both carnivorous, and feed largely upon the schools of the menhaden.
(Goode, History of the Menhaden, Report of the U. 8. Fish Com. 1877.)
Season IN R.JI.: They appear last of April or first of May and are present
throughout the summer and fall. Most abundant in May when first
arriving, and in October when falling temperature is driving them
away from northern shores. They finally leave in November and
December. October 29, 1905, Dutch Island trap, few specimens; April
27, 1906, menhaden fishery opened off southern Rhode Island shore,
and the “ Annie L. Wilcox” secured a small fare; April 16, 1906, Dutch
Island trap, first specimen of the season; April 30, 1906, Dutch Island
trap, six specimens; June 5, 1906, Hazard’s Quarry trap, 100 large
specimens; July 9, 1906, Sand Blow trap, half barrel, medium size;
August 8, 1906, Goose Neck trap, few small specimens; September 11,
1906, Dutch Island trap, one-half barrel; September 17, 1906, West
Passage traps, one-half barrel, very fat ones.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in December, probably, and in May and June;
the location of the spawning grounds is at present uncertain.
80 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
(See Smith, Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, XV. 1895, 301, Rathbun Reports,
U. 8. Fish Commission XIX, 1893, 38, and XX, 1844, 94 and XXI,
1895, 82. The latest discussion of this question is by Kendall, Bull.
U. 8. Bureau of Fisheries, XXVIII, 1908, 279.)
An examination of the condition of the reproductive organs of menha-
den from different localities in this vicinity was undertaken in an at-
tempt to answer the question: Do females about to spawn have any
decided tendency to approach the shore? Too few have been examined to
justify an answer, but the following data are given as a matter of record.
Records of examination of the condition of the reproductive organs of
menhaden; made by H.C. Tracy, off the south shore of Long Island,
eight miles west of Montauk Point, May 22, 1906:
Time, noon. Weather, fair. Wind, southwest.
2 females, intermediate.
1 male, intermediate.
2 males, immature.
12 females, spent.
(These taken from a catch of 8,000 fish.)
Place, two miles off south shore of Long Island, five miles west of Montauk,
8 A. M., May 22, 1906.
22 females, spent.
35 males.
2 females, intermediate.
4 females, partly spent.
(Taken from catch of 3,000 fish.)
Date and place, as above. Time, 10 A. M.
21 males.
23 females, spent.
3 females, intermediate.
(A very few males had large testes.)
(Taken from haul of 2,000 fish.)
Records of examination of the condition of the reproductive organs of
menhaden; made by H. C. Tracy, June 5, 1906. Dutch Island Harbor
trap:
Time, 1 P.M. Weather, fair. Wind, southwest.
6 females, intermediate.
6 females, spent.
9 males, intermediate.
4 females, spent.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 81
Date, the same; time, 11 A. M.; trap, at Hazard’s Quarry.
20 females, intermediate.
8 females, spent.
6 males, spent.
6 males, spent.
Foop: The whole food supply of this fish is obtained by filtering out from
the surface stratum of water the organic life there suspended. The
arrangement of the gill rakers forms a very effective filter of the water
which the fish takes in by swimming actively in circles through the
water with wide-open mouth and expanded gill-covers. The stomach
generally appears comparatively empty, but usually has a small quantity
of what appears to be a dark greenish or brownish mud, with a variable
quantity of copepods and small crustacea intermixed. This may be
demonstrated by observing the habits of the living fish, by the study of
the gill rakers, and by collecting on a filter the organic matter suspended
in a given quantity of surface water and by comparing the matter thus
filtered out with the stomach contents of the menhaden. The following
animals have been found: a few annelids, a few rotifers, the smaller
crustacea, like Gammarus and young shrimp, Zoea larva, Nauplius
larva, copepods. But the great majority of organisms were Gleno-
dinium, Perdinium, Infusoria, and unicellular plants like diatoms, algal
swarm spores, and bacterial masses. (On the Food of the Menhaden, by
J. H. Peck, Ph. D., Bull. U. 8. Fish Commission, 1893, 113.)
Rate or GrowTH: Adultsare the large fish fifteen to eighteen inchesin length.
Schools of fishes from two to five inches long arriving at New England in
midsummer are probably hatched from spawn of the previous fall and
spring. The seven to ten-inch fishes are two years old. The following speci-
mens have been taken at Wickford: August 14, 1906, Sauga Point, seine,
four specimens one inch; August 8, 1906, Mill Cove, with hoop net and
lantern, at night, many specimens 1 to 1} inches (26 to 32 mm.); August
8, 1906, Point Wharf, seine, three specimens one inch; July 25, 1908,
seine, 37 mm.; August 10, 1908, seine, 37 mm; August 13, 1909, seine,
Cornelius Island, 42 mm., 40 mm., 37 mm., 41 mm. Bean gives the
following measurements of young taken at Great South Bay, Long
Island: July 24th, specimens 2} inches; August 8th, 33 to 44 inches;
August 21st, 33 to 44 inches; August 23rd, 54 inches; September 14th,
54 to 52 inches.
11
82
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46.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
ENGRAULIDID4. The Anchovies.
Stolephorus brownii (Gmelin). Striped Anchovy; Anchovy.
Geog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil. Abundant southward.
At Woods Hole: “ Much the most numerous species of Anchovy” (Smith,
1898); from August to late in the fall, also reported there by Baird,
1873 (?), and Bean, 1880; not otherwise recorded from New England.
Sometimes very abundant at Long Island (Bean, 1903).
Season In R.1.: Specimen, 14 inches long, dredged by the “‘ Fish Hawk ” in
Narragansett Bay, November, 1898. This species is undoubtedly rare
in Narragansett Bay, but its abundance at Woods Hole would lead us
to believe it to be common in outside waters.
Repropuction: Young taken September first on Long Island (Bean).
Foop: Annelids, copepods, sometimes univalve molluscs, foramenifera.
Size: Four to six inches.
Stolephorous mitchilli (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Anchovy.
Groa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Texas. Reported from Casco Bay, Maine
(Kendall, 1908), and from Massachusetts, at Provincetown (Storer,
1859), and Woods Hole (Smith, 1898). Abundant at Long Island
(Bean, 1903).
Season IN R.I.: Abundant from May to October. Forms an important
part of the so-called “white bait.”
Repropuction: Eggs and larve are very abundant in the tow in Narra-
gansett Bay from about July 10th to August 15th. Eggs are pelagic,
small (about .7 or .§ mm. in diameter), and have segmented yolk like
almost all other Clupeoid fishes. Spawning probably takes place in
the open waters of Narragansett Bay. Larve about 2.8 mm. long when
hatched.
Hasirat: Sandy shores, entering rivers.
Foop: Miscroscopic crustacea and marine larvee; small shrimp amphipods.
Size: Adults are about two and a-half inches. Following are the lengths
of anchovies taken in rearing cars of lobster plant at Wickford in 1908:
July 22, specimens 4.7 mm., 4.5 mm.; July 25, specimens 17 to 18 mm.,
none larger; July 31, many specimens 24 mm.; August 1, 5.2 mm.;
August 3, 4.8 mm., 5.3 mm., 6.6 mm., 7.8 mm., 9.7 mm.; August 3,
several specimens 23 mm. to 25° mm.; August 4, very many
specimens 8 to 26 mm.; August 4, many specimens 14 to 20 mm.
2,000 specimens (measuring 15 to 20 mm.) on August 8 came
into rearing car during the night through one-half inch mesh screen
put in August 7; October 6, sample specimens in cars measured 29,
47.
48.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 83
26, 39, 42, 47, 33, 53 mm. Probably several of the larger sizes were
lost in taking out. Young are found in abundance, the remainder of
the season, until the last of October, when they reach a length of 40 mm.
to 55 mm.
SALMONIDE. The Salmon Family.
Salmo salar (Linneus). Salmon.
Groa. Dist.: North Atlantic, ascending rivers between Cape Cod and
Hudson Bay. Formerly south to Hudson River, and abundant in all
New England States.
Mierations: Ascends New England rivers in May and June.
Season IN R. I.: Small fish, weighing two to three pounds, are taken in
Sakonnet River in the spring nearly every year. May 8, 1907, a salmon
weighing 22 pounds was caught by Captain Petty at Sakonnet Point.
RepropuctTion: Eggs are about 1-5 inch in diameter and are laid from
October to December in water not warmer than 50°; they are deposited
in shoal water on sandy bottom in deep depressions made by the parent
fish. The hatching period ranges from 140 to 200 days or more, de-
pending on the temperature. When hatched the larva is about } of an
inch long and the yolk sac is absorbed in about a month or six weeks.
Foop: The adult salmon in the sea feeds on herring, sand larve, smelt, and
other small fishes, besides crustaceans, but during its stay in fresh
water it takes no food.
Sizp: Fifteen to forty pounds, maximum sixty pounds. At the age of ten
months the lava measures about 14 inches.
REFERENCES:
1890: McInrosu and Prince, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, Vol. 35, 886.
1898: Bricr, Report U.S. Fish Com. XXIII, 27.
1903: Bran, Catalogue of the Fishes of New York, N. Y. State Museum
Bulletin, 60, 246.
Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Brook Trout; Speckled Trout.
Gro«G. Dist.: East of the Mississippi, Savannah to Labrador.
Mierations: In fall, where communication exists, enters salt water, re-
maining through the winter.
Season IN R.I.: Common in fresh-water streams throughout the State.
Reported from brooks and small streams in Foster, Scituate, Gloces-
ter (Moosquitohawk and Huntinghouse brooks), North Smithfield,
Burrillville (Sucker and Brandy brooks), C oventry, West Greenwich,
Exeter, and North Kingstown.
84
49.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Hasitat: Clear, swift, fresh-water streams where the temperature does
not exceed 68°.
Repropuction: Eggs are one-fifth inch in diameter, varying in color from
pale lemon to orange red. The spawning season varies with the tem-
perature of the water, but usually takes place from the last of September
to December. Eggs are deposited in cavities made in the gravel and
covered with pebbles. Period of hatching ranges from 32 days in water
of 54° to 165 days in water of 37°. Yolk sac absorbed in 30 to 80 days.
(Bean, loc. cit., p. 274; Brice, Report U.S. Fish Com. XXIII, 1897, 91.)
Foop: Carnivorous. Feeds on nearly any small living creature, including
insects, other small invertebrates, small fishes, its own eggs and young,
tadpoles, water newts, ete.
Size: Maximum eighteen inches, but average between eight and twelve
inches.
ARGENTINIDAL. The Smelts.
Osmerus mordax (Mitchill). Smelt.
Groa. Dist.: The Atlantic coast, Virginia to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Season In R. I.: Present throughout the year, but most abundant in
March and April, especially at Narrow River where a commercial
fishery of considerable importance exists. Abundant in Warren and
Pawtuxet Rivers; also in the streams emptying into the salt water
between Narrow River and Watch Hill. A few specimens taken in the
seine throughout the summer and early fall on sandy shores in the
vicinity of Wickford. July 17, 1906, six specimens about 6 inches long
(150 mm.) seined at Cornelius Point. August 20, 1908, three specimens
about 54 inches long (140 mm., 135 mm., and 130 mm.) seined at
Cornelius Point. They were unusually common in 1909, several being
taken frequently in the seine from July to September.
ReEpropuctTion: Spawns in February and March, in fresh-water streams
and brooks. The eggs are 1-20 inch in diameter and adhere to stones,
twigs, etc., on the bottom (Brice, 1897).
According to Ehrenbaum, the eggs are .J)mm. in diameter, contain
numerous oil globules, and the period of incubation is four or five weeks.
: The newly hatched larva is one-quarter inch long (5.5 to 6 mm.).
Foop: Shrimp and other small crustacea.
Size: Maximum, 14 inches.
REFERENCES:
1886: CunninGHAM, Trans. Roy. Soe. Edinburgh, 33, 98.
1897: Brice, Report U.S. Fish Comm. XXIII, 188.
1909: EHreNBAuM, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 343.
50.
51.
52.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 85
SYNODONTID. The Lizard-Fishes.
Synodus foetens (Linneus). Lizard-fish.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil, common in deep water from South
Carolina southward, moving into shallow water in summer. A few
taken nearly every September at Woods Hole (Smith, 1898). Common
on Long Island shore (Bean, 1903).
Season IN R. I.: Specimen from Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com.,
1899).
Foop: A voracious fish, feeding on small fishes. (Holbrook, 1860.)
Size: Twelve inches.
LUCIID. The Pikes.
Lucius americanus (Gmelin). Banded Pickerel.
Groa. Dist.: Massachusetts to Florida, east of the Allegheny Mountains.
Not reported from Maine and New Hampshire, but common in Massa-
chusetts. Found on Long Island. |
Hasirat: Fresh water, in lowland streams and swamps.
Season In R. I.: Present generally in muddy and sluggish rivers and
ponds. Recorded from Pocasset River, Dyer’s Pond, and Pawtuxet
River.
Foop: Small minnows.
Size: Twelve inches.
Lucius reticulatus (LeSueur). Pickerel; Green Pike.
Gro. Dist.: Common everywhere east of the Allegheny Mountains,
Maine to Florida, and to Arkansas and Louisiana. Common through-
out the New England States.
Hasitat: Fresh water of rivers and ponds.
Season in R. I.: Found nearly everywhere throughout the State. Re-
corded from Pocasset River, Pawcatuck River, Queens River; also
from the following ponds: Dyer’s, Sucker, Worden’s, Beach, Black-
mars, Mashapaug, Moswansicut, and Sneach; and from these reservoirs:
Bowdish, Smith and Sayles, Waterman, Pascoag and Poneganset.
Also present in fresh-water ponds on Block Island.
Repropuction: Little known of its breeding habits except that it spawns
in the spring. Mature female taken March 15, 1875, at South Framing-
ham, Mass. (Amer. Nat. XI, 1877, 494). (Description and pictures of
young specimens are given by Ryder, Report of U. 8. Fish Com. XIII,
1885, 516. For eggs and development of the European pickerel (Zsox
86
53.
54.
55.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
lucius) see Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 1909, 376; note on
the spawning season, Walke, Bull. U. 8. Fish Com. III, 1883, 245.)
Foop: Voracious, carnivorous; feeds on other fishes of all kinds and on
small aquatic animals. The young feed on insects and aquatic larve.
(Sturtevant, Amer. Nat. V, 1871, 313.)
Size: Maximum, 27 inches.
PECILUDA. The Killifishes.
Fundulus majalis (Walbaum). Mayfish; Killifish.
Groc. Dist.: Massachusetts to Florida. Common along whole New Eng-
land coast from Massachusetts southward.
Hasitat: Along shores, especially sandy beaches.
SEASON IN R. I.: Probably a permanent resident, but common in shore
waters through April and May until late in the fall. Recorded from
Providence River, Conimicut, Quonset, Wickford, and Plum Beach.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in June and July. Eggs laid in the sand at high
tide. (Newman, Biological Bull. XII, 1907, 314.)
Foop: Small crustacea, especially shrimp and copepods; molluscs, and
annelids.
Size: Four to six inches. Probably becomes mature in second year.
Fundulus heteroclitus (Linneus). Mummichog; Common Killifish.
Geo. Dist.: From Nova Scotia to the Rio Grande. Reported at Canso
by Cornish (1907).
Hasitat: Shores and brackish waters, in eel-grass and on muddy bottoms,
especially at the mouth of fresh-water streams.
Season IN R. I1.: Most abundant of the mummichogs, and very common
at all seasons along the whole shore.
RepropuctTion: Spawns in June and July. Eggs are laid in the sand at
high tide near the water’s edge. They are large, adhesive, and are laid
in masses. They require nine or ten days for hatching. Larval stages
are mostly passed in the egg, so that soon after hatching, the yolk-sac
is taken inside the body and the fish swims freely and effectually.
Probably becomes mature in second year. (Newman, Biological Bulle-
tin, XII, 1907, 314.)
Fundulus heteroclitus macrolepidotus (Walbaum).
This is a variety of the preceding. Very common everywhere in brackish
waters from Maine to Virginia. Specimens from Newport described by
LeSueur. (Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. I, 1817, 133.)
56.
57.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 87
Fundulus diaphanus (LeSueur). Spring Minnow; Killifish.
Groa. Dist.: From Maine to Cape Hatteras. Common along the whole
New England coast.
Hasirat: Around shores fed directly by fresh-water streams.
Season In R.I.: Found throughout the year, but not so common as the
other species of this family.
Size: Four inches.
ESOCID4. The Needle-Fishes and Garfishes.
Tylosurus marinus (Walbaum). Garfish,; Billfish.
Groc. Dist.: From Maine to Texas. Frequently recorded along the
whole New England coast.
Hapsirat: Salt and brackish water around shores, sometimes entering
rivers. Goode found specimens 30 miles up the Connecticut River,
June, 1871. (Amer. Nat. V, 1871, 439.)
Season in R. I.: Common from June to October. Specimens from New-
port mentioned by LeSueur, 1821. Specimen two feet long in Roger
Williams Park Museum taken July 26, 1897, at Rocky Point. August
28, 1905, several large ones were taken at the Cold Spring Beach, Wick-
ford. On August 13, 1909, two specimens were taken in a seine at
Cornelius Island, one had in its stomach three adult Fundulus hetero-
clitus; the other was a female, with the ovaries nearly spent, but con-
taining a few large but immature eggs. Specimens, both adult and
young, are occasionally seen swimming at the surface of inshore waters
on calm days. In Mill Cove adults are sometimes speared at night like
eels. July 25, 1908, with acetylene lamp, two specimens were taken
in Mill Cove, 160 mm.
Repropuction: Probably spawns in the bays in May and June. Grows very
rapidly and probably is mature in the second year. Ryder, in July
and August, found specimens of this species in abundance in a spawning
condition at Cherrystone, Virginia, near the mouth of the Chesapeake
Bay. Egg is about one-seventh inch in diameter. The eggs have a
thick membrane covered with numerous filaments which fasten the
eggs together in clumps and attach them to submerged objects. (Ryder,
Bull. U.S. Fish Com., I, 1881, 283.)
Foop: Fishes, especially Menidia and Fundulus; crustacea, shrimp, am-
phipods; annelids.
Rate oFr GrRowTH: July 9, 1909, a specimen swimming at surface,
in alleyway of lobster rearing plant, measured one inch (24 mm.); it
88 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
was put in a filter car and on August 2nd measured 34 inches (85 mm.).
Young specimen, 20 mm., found in alleyway of hatchery on the surface
June 29, 1909. Specimen 25 mm., July 1, 1909, in similar place.
July 20, 1905, young specimens three inches long were taken from the
seine at Cold Spring Beach, Wickford. July 27, 1908, a specimen 117
mm. was seined at Quonset Point; and a specimen 74 inches (185 mm.)
was seined on August 8, 1908, at Cornelius Island; August 6, 1909, 75
specimens were taken in a seine in one haul on the north shore of Cor-
nelius Island. They range from 5 to 8 inches (120 to 205 mm.).
Average of 37 specimens was 64 inches (157 mm.). August 11, 1909, two
specimens, 4 and 5 3-5 inches (98 and 140 mm.) were seined at Cornelius
Island.
August 14, 1906, a dozen specimens three to eight inches long were taken
in a seine in Viall’s Creek. August 19, 1909, three specimens, 3 1-5 to
94 inches (180 mm., 200 mm., 233 mm.) were taken at Cornelius Island
in a seine, and August 20, 1909, three specimens 5 to 8 inches long
(200 mm., 125 mm., 190 mm.), were taken at the same place.
Average of 6 specimens taken September 2, 1909, seine, Cornelius
Island, was 125 mm., ranging from 107 mm. to 224 mm. Bean
took a specimen on Long Island shore 24 inches long July 24. At
Woods Hole a specimen 5 inches (123 mm.) was taken July 25th; a
specimen 6 1-5 inches (155 mm.) was taken on August 2nd. (Higen-
mann, 1901.)
Since all gradations in size from 3 or 4 inches to over 8 inches are common
the last of August, it seems probable that most of these are the young
of the year. Females with ripe ovaries are taken not much longer than
the largest of these, and it is therefore probable that some individuals
of this species become ripe in the second season.
HEMIRAMPHID. The Halfbeaks.
58. Hyporhamphus roberti (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Halfbeak; Skipper.
Groa. Dist.: Coasts of America on sandy shores. Common at Vineyard
Sound and Menemsha Bight. Occasionally on Long Island shore
(Bean).
Spason in R.I.: Occasional in summer and early fall. The first specimen
from Rhode Island was taken by Samuel Powell at Newport and de-
scribed by Gill in 1862. Specimen from Newport mentioned by Cope,
1870.
Hasitat: Sandy shores.
59.
60.
61.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 89
Foop: Almost exclusively algz.
Size: Twelve inches. At Woods Hole taken from three to eight inches.
Euleptorhamphus velox (Poey).
Gro. Dist.: West Indies, occasionally northward in the Gulf Stream to
Massachusetts. Rare. Taken off Nantucket (Putnam, 1870).
Season IN R.1.: Specimen in the U. 8. National Museum, taken at New-
port by Mr. Brown. (Bull. U.S. Nat. Museum, 1879, 55.)
SizE: Eighteen inches.
SCOMBERESOCID. The Sauries.
Scomberesox saurus (Walbaum). Saury,; Billfish.
GeroG. Dist.: Common in schools in open seas north of Cape Cod and of
France. Recorded several times from the coast of Maine and Massa-
chusetts (Kendall, 1908). According to Dr. Smith this species is
abundant north of Cape Cod. Rare at Woods Hole; recorded from
Long Island Sound (Linsley, 1844).
Hasitat: Surface of north temperate seas. (For note on the habits of
this species, see Bean, Fishes of New York, 1903, p. 329).
Season In R.J.: Rare. One specimen is in possession of the commission,
presented by Mr. J. M. KX. Southwick, of Newport, and dated 1899.
Two specimens presented by Mr. Jobn Curran, taken off Sakonnet,
about July 10, 1909.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning apparently takes place in the open sea near
the surface. The eggs are pelagic, but are, nevertheless, provided with
filaments. The spawning season is unknown. The youngest known
larva is about three-fifths inch long (15 mm.). (Ehrenbaum, Nor-
disches Plankton, 4, 1905, 136.)
Rate or GrowTH: Pelagic young up to 12 inches were taken in the Atlan-
tic in March, April, and May by the “Challenger.” Young specimen
134 inches in length was taken in St. Andrew’s Bay in October. This
was probably in its second year. (McIntosh and Masterman, British
Marine Food Fishes, 1897, 403.) Adults reach a length of eighteen
inches.
EXOCQ:TIDE. The Flying-Fishes.
Parexocoetus mesogaster (Bloch). Black-wing; Flying-fish.
GroG Dist.: Tropical seas, common in the East Indies and West Indies,
and in the Hawaiian Islands. North in the Gulf Stream to Newport.
Season IN R. I.: Specimen reported by Goode from Block Island, 1879.
Th
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REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
A specimen 54 inches long, from Newport, is in the Museum of the
Academy of National Sciences at Philadelphia. (Jordan and Meek,
Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., 1885, 47.) Not otherwise recorded from New
England or New York.
Size: Seven inches.
Exoccetus speculiger* (Linneus). Flying-fish.
Geog. Dist.: Open seas, north to the Grand Banks, southern Europe and
Hawaiian Islands. Recorded from Vineyard Sound and Woods Hole
(Baird, 1873, and Smith, 1898), where it is sometimes common; in
Connecticut, from New Haven and Stonington (Lindsley, 1844).
Season IN R. I.: Specimen in U. 8. National Museum, taken at Block
Island by U.S. Fish Commission, August, 1874.
ReEpPRoDUCTION: Some eggs obtained near Naples in June and July, 1894,
were identified as those of an exoccetine, and described by Raffels.
They were found attached to floating bodies by means of filaments
not unlike those of Scomberesox. (Gill, Report Smithson. Inst., 1904,
504.)
Foop: Carnivorous; feeding on small fishes, crustaceans, and such mol-
luses as pteropods and janthinids.
Rate oF GRowTH: Young an inch long and upwards are often seen in mid
ocean. At Woods Hole, young 14 to 4 inches in length are sometimes
taken in the seine in the harbor in the latter part of September and the
first of October. (Smith.)
Cypsilurus heterurus (Rafinesque). Flying-fish.
Geog. Dist.: Atlantic Ocean, common southward on both coasts, straying
northward to Banks of Newfoundland and to England. Recorded at
Woods Hole and Menemsha Bight (Smith, 1900).
Season In R. I.: Specimen from Block Island, mentioned by Goode, 1879.
Size: Fifteen inches.
Cypsilurus fureatus (Mitchill).
Groce Dist.: Common in warm seas, north to Cape Cod and Mediterranean.
SEASON IN R. I.: Two specimens from Newport, one 54 inches, the other
six inches in length, are in the Museum of the Academy of Natural
Sciences at Philadelphia. (Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., 1885, 61.) These
are apparently the specimens described by Jordan and Evermann, in
“The Fishes of North America.”
Size: Six inches.
*Gill, Report Smithson. Inst., 1904, 505.
65.
66.
67.
68.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 91
Cypsilurus gibbifrons (Cuvier and Valenciennes).
Two specimens only are known; one, the type specimen nine inches long
obtained by Dussumier in the Atlantic Ocean and presented by him to
the Museum d’Histoire Naturelle at Paris; the other, a young specimen
eight inches long, taken by Mr. Samuel Powell at Newport, R. I., and
described by Jordan in 1886. (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 528.)
GASTEROSTEID. The Sticklebacks.
Pygosteus pungitius (Linneus). Nine-spined Stickleback.
Groac. Dist.: Northern parts of Europe, and Atlantic coast of North
America from Long Island to the Arctic Sea, also in tributaries of the
Great Lakes and northward to the Saskatchwan and Alaska; fresh and
brackish waters. (Jordan and Evermann, p. 745.) Common in Maine
and Massachusetts and Long Island; reported from Connecticut from
Housatonic (Linsley, 1844) and Hockanum River (Ayres, 1844).
Hasitat: Fresh-water streams, and land-locked ponds and lagoons (Bean).
Season InN R.1.: Specimens from Warwick, R. I., in Roger Williams Park
Museum (identified by Mr. T. E. B. Pope).
REPRODUCTION: Spawns from May to July (Europe). Eggs are orange
colored |; inch (1 mm.) in diameter, and laid in nests. Hatch in 12
days. (For description of eggs and young, see Ehrenbaum, Nordisches
Plankton, 10, 1909, 319.)
Foop: Said to be extremely destructive of the eggs of other fishes.
Size: Three inches.
Gasterosteus bispinosus (Walbaum). Two-spined Stickleback.
Geroc. Dist.: From Labrador to New Jersey.
Hasirat: Brackish and salt water; tidal creeks.
Season IN R.1.: Very common at all seasons.
Repropuction: From May to August it spawns in nests guarded by the
male. July 7, 1906, specimens two inches long, full of eggs, seined head
of Mill Cove. Sexually mature individuals found at Falmouth in
May, 1898 (Bumpus, 1898). (The young of the closely related species
G. aculeatus has been described by A. Agassiz, Proc. Amer. Acad. XVII,
1882, 228, and by Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 1909, 318.)
Foop: Small invertebrates; fish eggs and fry.
Size: Four inches.
Apeltes quadracus (Mitchill). Fowr-spined Stickleback.
Gro. Dist.: From Maine to New Jersey. Common.
92
69.
70.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Hasitat: Fresh, brackish and salt water along the shores. Very common
in salt marshes and at the mouths of rivers.
SEASON IN R.I.: Common at all seasons. Can be taken in the seine at all
times of the year along muddy and weedy shores.
REPRODUCTION: Similar to the two preceding species. Sexually mature
individuals taken at Falmouth May 1898, (Bumpus, 1898). Spawns
in April, May, and June. Eggs are ;4 inch in diameter. They are
laid in nests and adhere together in masses of 15 to 20, the number laid
at one time. The nest is built by the male. (Ryder, Bull. U.S. Fish
Com. I, 1881, 24; Ryder, Report U.S. Fish Com. XIII, 1885, 511.)
Foop: Copepods. .
Size: Two inches.
FISTULARIID. The Cornet-Fishes.
Fistularia tabacaria (Linneus). Trumpet-fish.
Grog. Dist.: West Indies north to Woods Hole. Common from New
Jersey southward. Not common on Long Island (Bean). At Woods
Hole a few observed every year (Smith). In Massachusetts recorded
from Holmes Hole (Storer, 1839), Rockport (Goode and Bean, 1879),
Woods Hole (Goode 1879), Buzzards Bay (Smith, 1898).
Season In R. I.: Rare. Reported in Narragansett Bay by R. I. Fish
Commission, 1899.
Size: Maximum length, six feet. The usual size at Woods Hole is seven
or eight inches; the smallest, four inches; the largest, sixteen inches.
SYNGNATHID. The Pipe-Fishes.
Siphostoma fuscum (Storer). Pipe-fish.
Goa. Dist.: The Atlantic coast of the United States, Cape Ann to Vir-
ginia. Common along the whole New England coast.
Hasirat: Brackish and salt water among eel-grass and sea-weed. Speci-
mens taken in 1895, with menhaden, at all distances from the shore out
to3and 5miles. (Smith, Bull., U.S. Fish Commission, XV, 1895, 294.)
SEASON IN R. I.: Common throughout the summer in the eel-grass along the
shores and in salt ponds. Two specimens were taken in offshore waters
in purse seines, with menhaden, in July, 1904. August 13, 1906, many
specimens dredged in upper Mill Cove.
ReEPRopDucTION: The breeding season extends from March to August.
The reproductive habits of the pipe-fish have been described by Gudger
(1906). There is a copulation in which eggs are transferred by the female
into a brood pouch of the male, where they are retained until the young
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 93
are hatched and the yolk sac has been absorbed. The young when
released from the brood pouch are from 4 to 2? (8 to 10 mm.) in length.
10 specimens hatched at Experiment Station June 13, 1910, averaged
8.5 m., ranging from 8 to 9.4 mm. (W. E. Sullivan.) The following
specimens with eggs have been taken at Wickford:
May 30, 1910, 2 males, having eggs showing eye spots were taken
in seine, Cornelius Island; hatched June 13. One male, with young
taken with light at night, June 8, (Sullivan.) July 7, 1906,
seine, north shore of Mill Cove, male and female specimens, each
with eggs. July 7, 1906, Cornelius Island, seine, several males
and females, each with eggs, those in male showing eye spots.
July 17, 1908, male taken in seine; in its pouch were young which soon
swam free. August 13, 1906, many specimens, each with eggs.
Females with eggs were taken in Narragansett Bay March 22,
1907 (Bumpus, Science, VII, 1898, 485). Breeding pipe-fish seined
from eel-grass on May 13, and have been found with pouches filled with
egg as late as July 13 at Woods Hole (Bumpus, Science, VIIT, 1898, 58).
Foop: Small crustacea, amphipods and copepods.
Rate oF GrowtH: The rate of growth of specimens hatched in a filter
car at the Wickford Station is shown by the following tables. These
figures represent averages of measurements of several individuals taken
out at irregular intervals. No food was given to them except that which
came in with the water by means of the chain of buckets. (See Mead,
1908, 102.)
: Mm. Mm. Mm.
July: Ae/ ae. aves 10:0 July 30.<~..:....” 44.0). August 15.......5 ) 6442
July US ee ee 1 Re: He vy ara Weer 46.1 August 20....... 69.4
July720%.. seer 21.8 August 2....... 52.6 September 8..... {71.3
July, 23 eee 24.5 August 6....... 61.6 September 14.... {70.0
July 25). cc)steee 26.0) -AUUSH Sivdena. —OS.6
Sly 27. 2.2208 Mobo AU gush meets. 5 OWA
On August 21 the remaining specimens were transferred to another filter
car with canvas lining, where they remained, alive and well, up to Sep-
tember 19.
On July 21 another pipe-fish was caught with a brood pouch full of young
which measured 10 millimeters. These young were placed, together
with the second lot of Menidia, in a filter car rigged with a chain of
buckets, like the original one. These specimens lived and thrived
equally well. No food was given them except on one or two occasions.
The data of growth is as follows:
94
71.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Mm. Mm. Mm,
RUS 92 eoRUe eRe 10.7) "August 6:5). 42.19 37.8, September’ 8.27.2 59.0
5 Ib a ta ee 19.0 August 8...... 41.8 September 14.... 62.8
by SONG seu. 24.0 August 11..... aye si ee)
AMICUS Sables OLA AUICUSt aes) Aol
During July and August a great number of young of all sizes from ? inch
(10 mm.) to 6 inches (150 mm.) are found in the lobster rearing cars:
July 23, 1908, 65 mm.; July 31, 1908, 100 mm.; August 1, 1908, 44 mm.;
August 6, 1908, 105 mm.; August 7, 1908, 77 mm. and 114 mm.; August
8, 1908, 149 mm. and 139 mm.; August 14, 1908, 65 mm.; August 15,
1908, 37 mm.; August 21, 1908, 47 pipe-fish, ranging from 19 mm. to
33.7 mm.} average, 28.8 mm.
Other similar specimens are taken in the seine through the summer:—August
10, 1908, 72 mm. and 155 mm.; August 13, 1907, seine at Rabbit Island,
specimen 80 mm.; August 20, 1908, seine, Cornelius Point, fifteen speci-
mens average 139 mm.; ranging from 93 mm. to 187 mm.; September 2,
1909, nine specimens were taken, averaging 88 mm., ranging from 80
to 145 mm. _ Since all sizes up to six inches in length are to be found,
and since the pipe-fish has such a long breeding season, it is probable
that all the sizes above mentioned are the young of the year. They
probably become mature when about a year old.
REFERENCES:
1885: Ryprr, Report, U.S. Fish Com., XIII, 508.
1906: GupeEr, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., X XIX, 447.
Hippocampus hudsonius (De Kay). Sea-horse.
Goa. Dist.: Atlantic coast, Cape Cod to Charleston, 8. C. Recorded in
Massachusetts from Holmes Hole (Storer, 1839 and 1853), Province-
town (Atwood, 1850), Massachusetts Bay (Goode and Bean, 1879),
Vineyard Sound (Smith, 1898). Not otherwise reported from New
England. Occur in moderate numbers on the New England and New
Jersey coast during the summer months; varies in abundance consider-
ably in different years (Bean).
Haprrat: In the eel-grass and sea-weed along shores and in salt marshes.
Season IN R. I.: Not common. Rarely found floating in gulfweed and
rockweed. Also sometimes taken on the bottom in shallow water.
Specimen taken in Greenwich Bay in the oyster tongs, September 29,
1909. Two others taken in the same locality during the fall of 1909,
one of which came up in a scallop dredge.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 95
Repropuction: The breeding season is during the summer. At hatching
the young are 4-inch in length (10 to 12 mm.)
REFERENCES:
1867: Locxwoop, Amer. Nat. I, 225.
1881: Ryperr, Bull. U.S. Fish Com. Vol. 1, 191.
1887: Lockwoop, Amer. Nat. X XI, III.
1905: Gru, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. XXVIII, 805.
1909: ExHrREeNBAUM, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 322.
ATHERINID®. The Silversides.
72. Menidia gracilis (Ginther). Silverside.
Geoa. Dist.: Woods Hole to Albemarle Sound, common in brackish waters.
From New England, this species is recorded only from Cape Cod, from
Buzzards Bay, and from Narragansett Bay. At Woods Hole it is re-
ported to be very abundant in summer, remaining longer than M. men-
idia (Smith).
Seasonin R.I.: Present throughout the summer, but not nearly as com-
mon as M. menidia notata.
Repropuction: Many ripe females taken during July at Woods Hole.
(For note on reproduction of this species and that of M. notata, see Bum-
pus, Science, N.S., Vol. 8, 1898, p. 850.)
Size: Three or four inches.
73. Menidia menidia notata (Mitchill.) Silverside; Brit.
Geoc. Dist.: Atlantic coast northward, south to Florida. Abundant
from Maine to Virginia.
Season 1n R. I.: Present throughout the year, but is very abundant
everywhere from April to December. Along sandy shores, bushels of
them can often be taken in the seine almost unmixed with other fish.
Used to a great extent as bait for eel pots.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in May, June, and early July, on sandy beaches.
Ryder thought this species to be a nocturnal spawner. The eggs are
held in clusters by means of filaments, a tuft of which is developed from
the pole of each egg. The females are larger than the males and ina
school seem to be more numerous. Out of 380 specimens of M. menidia
which were examined from Woods Hole, there were 204 females and 146
males. The females averaged 4.05 inches, the males 3.67 inches in length
(Kendall, Report U.S. Fish Com. XXVII, 1901, 241.) The eggs are
yellowish in color, and about 1.5 mm. in diameter. They hatch in about
ten days in the summer, and the larva when hatched is about 4mm. in
length.
96 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Foop: Minute animal and vegetable organisms, particularly small crus-
taceans. Several have been found with young lobsters 32-inch long in
their stomachs. Copepods, other free-swimming crustaceans and in-
sects, are frequently eaten. Often mud, alge, and diatoms from the
bottom are found in their stomachs. These facts indicate that they feed
both at the surface of the water and at the bottom. Fishes and fish
eggs are sometimes eaten. Kendall gives in detail the results of the ex-
amination of the stomach contents of several hundred specimens taken
at Woods Hole at different times between April and December (Ken-
dall, 1901).
Rate oF GRowTH: Growth of the young is very rapid. At time of hatch-
ing, July 26, 1908, average length of a large number of specimens was
1inch (3.85 mm.). These were incubated in a filter car at the Wickford
Experiment Station. On August 15th, the average of a large number
of specimens from the same lot was 2? inch (9.3 mm). Average of spec-
imens taken from another lot hatched at the same time was 34-inch (11.72
mm.) on the same date. (For complete figures see Report, R. I. Fish
Com., 39, 1908, 100.)
Growth under natural conditions is probably much more rapid. Specimens
from an inch or less in length up to individuals of nearly adult size are
constantly present through August and September. This is doubtless
the result of the long spawning season of the species. It also probably
indicates that many Menidia may grow to adult size in one year. On
August 11, 1909, seine, Cornelius Island, average of 45 specimens was 1#
inches (45.9 mm.), ranging from 1 inch (26 mm.) to 22 inches (65 mm.),
One specimen three inches long, (76 mm.). Two inches was the average
of 58 specimens taken on August 12, 1909, in seine at Cornelius Island,
ranging from 1? inches (35 mm). to 2?-inches (60 mm.). Average of 77
specimens taken August 13, 1909, in seine at Cornelius Island was 12
inches (40.6 mm.) ranging from #-inch (21 mm.) to 4 inches (100 mm.).
Seal took specimens 14 to 5 inches at St. Jerome, Maryland, September
20, 1889. (Bean,1891.)
MUGILIDA. The Mullets.
74. Mugil cephalus (Linneus). Striped Mullet; Jumping Mullet.
Grog. Dist.: Atlantic coast, Cape Cod to Brazil. Pacific coast, Monterey
to Chili. Reported from Maine, at Wolfsneck, Casco Bay (Kendall,
1903, and Smith, 1902), from Massachusetts, Provincetown (Storer,
1852 and 1853), Woods Hole (Baird, 1873, Bean, 1880, and Smith, 1898).
75.
76.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 97
From Connecticut, Stratford (Lindsley, 1844). Great schools on Long
Island shore in September and October (Bean).
Season IN R.I.: July to November. <A few young specimens taken each
year at Wickford in the seine. This species, in company with the white
mullet, is sometimes very abundant. In the middle of October, 1904,
500 barrels were taken at one haul off Newport. A specimen from
Newport is in the U. 8. National Museum. (Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus.,
1880, 120) August 8, 1908, Cornelius Island, seine, 65 mm. August
12, 1909, Cornelius Island, seine, 37 mm.
Foop: Stomach contents show a greenish mud containing large numbers
of diatoms, green alge, copepods.
Size: One to two feet.
Mugil curema (Cuvier and Valenciennes). White Mullet; Jumping
Mullet.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil, Magdalena Bay to Chili. In New Eng-
land, reported only from Woods Hole (Bean, 1880, Smith, 1898) and
from Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com. 1898). Half-grown specimens
abundant at Long Island in September and October (Bean).
Hasirat: Lives.in fresh water during several months of the year. Fre-
quents shallow mud flats and runs up small creeks.
SEAsONINR.I.: Same as the preceding species.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning season begins in summer and lasts until Novem-
ber. Takes place in fresh or brackish water in bayous, river mouths,
or heads of bays where the proper combination of grass, sand, and mud
can be found.
Foop: Food consists of minute organisms embedded in the bottom mud
and is sifted before entering the gizzard-like stomach by passing through
a filter in the pharynx.
Size: The average length twelve inches, and weight one and a quarter
pounds.
SPHYRAENIDA. The Barracudas.
Sphyrzena guachancho (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Barracuda.
Groa. Dist.: West Indies to Pensacola, straying north to Woods Hole.
In New England, reported only from Woods Hole (Goode and Bean,
1880), Buzzards Bay (Smith, 1898).
Season in R. I.: Rare. Reported in Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay,
13
98
77.
78.
79.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
by R. I. Fish Com., 1899. A young specimen, eight inches long, taken
in seine at Willow Beach, near Wickford, on July 17, 1905.
Size: Two feet.
Sphyrzena borealis (DeKay). Northern Barracuda.
Grog. Dist: Atlantic coast of the United States from Cape Fear to Cape
Cod. Rather common northward. Young common at Woods Hole.
Season In R. I.: A small specimen seven inches long taken in seine near
Hamilton, July 20, 1905.
RatTE oF GRowTH: Specimens from two to six inches common at Woods
Hole after July, sometimes appearing in large schools (Smith). Young
appear to be common along the coast south to New Jersey.
Adults are about one foot, maximum eighteen inches.
AMMODYTID4®. The Sand Launces.
Ammodytes americanus (DeKay). Sand Lance; Lant; Sand Eel.
Groc. Dist.: Newfoundland to Cape Hatteras. Abundant along the
whole New England coast.
Hasitat: Burrows in the sand in shoal water. Its habits have been
described by Ayers, (quoted by Bean, Report N. Y. Fish and Game
Com., VI, 1901, 417.) This species is important as the food of cod,
halibut, and mackerel.
Season in R.1.: Appears at all seasons, but is most plentiful in the fall.
Specimen nine inches long taken at Newport (J. M. K. Southwick,
July 1, 1906).
ReEpropuctTION: Spawning season is probably in the winter.
Foop: Worms and small fry.
Rate oF GRowTH: Largest grow to 16 inches, but are generally smaller,
seldom over five or six inches. Young from one-half inch long are
found at Woods Hole (Bumpus, 1898).
HOLOCENTRIDA. The Squirrel-Fishes.
Holocentrus ascensionis (Osbeck). Squwirrel-fish.
Geroa. Dist.: West Indies about rocks and reefs; accidental on the coast.
Recorded from Massachusetts, Katama Bay (?) (Bean, 1899, and
Smith, 1900).
Srason In R.I.: This species has been taken at Newport. (Bull. U. 8.
Nat. Mus., 1879, 44.)
S1ze: Two feet in length.
80.
81.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 99
MULLIDAX. The Surmullets.
Mullus auratus (Jordan and Gilbert). Surmullet.
Grog. Dist.: Ranges from Cape Cod to Florida. Abundant on the Red
Snapper Banks of Florida. A few taken at Woods Hole each year in
September (Smith, 1898). Occasional on Long Island shore (Bean,
1901). ,
Season In R.I.: One or two specimens taken at Wickford each summer.
None of these are over three inches in length. July 14, 1908, Cornelius
Island, seine, two specimens. July, 1907, Poplar Point, shrimp net,
specimen. July 10, 1909, Cornelius Island, seine, 45 mm., placed in
filter car, on August 3rd measured 65 mm.
Repropuction: Moore records on the Jersey shore a specimen 24 inches
long July 26th, and a specimen 23 inches on August 10th. He believed
these to be the only recorded captures of the young of this species on
our coast (Moore, 1892). (The eggs and young of the European M.
surmuletus is described by Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 1905,
21.)
Rate or GRowTH: Eight inches.
SCOMBRIDAX. The Mackerels.
Secomber scombrus (Linnzus). Common Mackerel.
Geoa. Dist.: North Atlantic, abundant on both coasts. North to Norway
and Labrador, south to Spain and Cape Hatteras.
Micrations: Appear in the spring when the water reaches 45° F. At
sea, off Cape Hatteras, March 20 to April 25; Norfolk, March 2 to April
30; the Capes of Delaware, April 15 to May 1; Barnegat and Sandy
Hook, May 5 to May 25; appear at the same date along the whole coast
of New England and Nova Scotia; Gulf of St. Lawrence, May and
early June. That these are coastwise movements is not positively
known, though it is claimed by fishermen that the mackerel can
be followed by the boats from southern waters to the north. In
1898 they appeared at Sakonnet, Chatham, Mass., and at Yarmouth,
N. S., on the same day, May 3. In 1901 they reached Chatham on
April 29, and the next day were taken at Cuttyhunk and Menemsha
Bight. (The migrations of the mackerel are discussed in detail by Allen,
Jour. M. B. L. Ass., Plymouth, V., 1897, 91, and Garstang, ibid, 235.)
On January 30, 1906, a single specimen was taken in a tide-water pond at
Saunderstown, R. I. The capture of mackerel in the winter is arare,
100 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
but not unprecedented, occurrence. (See Goode, Nat. Hist. of Aquatic
Animals, 1884, p. 284.)
Season In R.I.: Usually arrive at Rhode Island about May 1. In 1905
they arrived first in Sakonnet River on April 28. The first catch was
on May 2 in the scup traps off Sakonnet. June 3 they appeared off
the Cape Cod shore. June 5 at Newport marked the beginning of the
big run of the season, which culminated June 19. The season closed
there June 28. On June 22 was the best catch off Block Island.
Scattering fishes are present all summer. On September 6 and 7,
1905, there was a very big run of “Tinkers” at Newport, the harbor
being full of them. A similar run usually occurs about this time, al-
though it was exceptionally large in that year. Mackerel finally leave
in November.
In 1906, four mackerel were caught off Newport, May 4. Twenty-five
barrels were shipped from Newport May 14. By May 25, the shipments
havd increased to 300 barrels, and the large run commenced June 4
when 1,200 barrels were landed at Newport. The season ended near
the last of July. The tinkers arrived June 4.
In 1907, the first mackerel at Newport appeared May 2. The first recorded
catch (294 barrels) was made May 17. The catches increased steadily
after that date until June 14, when the fishing off Newport was said to
be the best ever reported from that vicinity. The mackerel were taken
in considerable numbers for several weeks after that. The tinkers
arrived June 10.
In 1908, the first mackerel in the scup traps off Newport were caught April
27. The number rapidly increased until May 25. Mackerel were
present in considerable numbers until June 1. The first tinker was
caught May 27.
In 1909, the first mackerel from Newport were reported April 2.. May 4,
42 barrels were shipped from Newport. The first big catch was on
May 16, when 500 barrels were caught. May 24, 200 barrels were
landed at Newport and from this time until the end of June the fish were
abundant. Tinkers appeared June 17.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 101
Calendar of Mackerel Season Off Newport, 1905-1909.
1905. 1906. | 1907. 1908. 1909.
| | | |
Hinsticaughthin traps. s-). <1 | April 28. May 4. May 2. | April 27. | April 17.
i
First large shipment from New, |
DOLE ere ie aes Socrates ont | May 14. May 14. May 17. May 14. May 4.
Most abundant................| June 5 to | June 4 to | June 11 to | May 25 to| May 16 to
| June 19. June 30. July 5. July 1. July 1.
ecordidayeee seen one | sie ray June 4. July 1. | June 20. | May 24.
Season ends at Newport........ June 28. | Nearend | Near end | Near end Near middle
| of July. of July. of July. of July.
Repropuction: Spawns the middle of May and June, in deep water along
the coast from Long Island to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Eggs are
pelagic, 1-20 inch in diameter with large oil globule. Hatch in five
days in water temperature of 55° to 58°. Yolk sac absorbed in six days.
Larva 3.5 mm. long at hatching; 4.5 mm. when nine days old. (For
description of eggs and young and bibliography, see Ehrenbaum,
Nordische Plankton, 4, 1905, 31.)
Foop: The mackerel strains the sea-water through its gill rakers as it
swims open-mouthed through the water, taking in all kinds of small
crustacea and the larve of marine invertebrates. They also feed on
young fishes, especially in the latter part of the summer when these are
abundant.
Rate or GRowTH: Reach a length of two inches in 30 days from hatching,
four inches in 45 days, seven inches before the autumn migration.
The “blinks” are two years old, the “tinkers” three years, and the
adult size of seventeen or eighteen inches is reached in the fourth year.
(Report U.S. Fish Com., 1879, 32.) There are numerous observations
on the rate of growth of the mackerel. In one month from hatching
it is from .5 to .8 inch in length; in two months, 1.6 to 3.2 inches; in
three months, 2.8 inches; in four months, 4 to 4.4 inches; in five months,
4.8 to 5.2 inches; in six months, 5.8 to 7.2 inches; in eight months, 6.8
to 7.2 inches; in twelve months, 8.4 to 9.6 inches (Allen, 1897-99).
Bean reports specimens July 25, 24 to 32 inches at Great South Bay,
L. I. Also specimens 3} to3? inches at Gravesend Bay, L. I., May 23,
1906.
REFERENCES:
1889: CunninGHAM, Jour. M. B. Ass., Plymouth, I, 25.
102
82.
83.
84,
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
1891: CunniInGHAM, ibid, II, 71.
1891: Hout, Jour. M. B. Ass., Plymouth, II, 325.
1893: Hout, Sci. Trans. Roy. Soc. Dublin, V, 10.
1897: Bricr, Report, U.S. Fish Com. XXIII, 209.
1897: Hout, Jour. M. B. Ass., Plymouth, V, 112.
1897: MclInrosH anD MAsTEeRMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 160.
1898: Moors, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XXIV, 1.
1899: Wuiiiamson, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, Vol. 17, 125.
1906: Tracy, Report, R. 1. Fish Com., Vol. 37, 33.
1909: Aten, Jour. Mar. Biol. Ass., Plymouth, VIII, 394.
Secomber colias (Gmelin). Chub Mackerel; Bull’s-eye Mackerel.
Greoa. Dist.: Atlantic and Pacific, widely distributed north to England,
Maine, and San Francisco. Appears irregularly on our Atlantic coast.
SEASON IN R.1.: Rare, and occurring at irregular intervals. A specimen
taken in Dutch Island trap June 15, 1909. According to the Boston
Herald, of July 9, 1909, big schools of this species were found by the
mackerel fleet for the first time in twenty years. These were taken
on Georges Banks, vessels bringing in 50,000 to 100,000 each trip since
the fourth of July. These fishes were small, running from five to seven
hundred to the barrel. Dr. Seth E. Meek describes a peculiar fish
taken at Block Island, September 16th, year not given, which was
supposed to be a hybrid between this species and the common mackerel.
(Jordan and Evermann, “The Fishes of North America,’’ 866.)
Size: Fourteen inches.
Auxis thazard (Lacépéde). Frigate Mackerel; Bonito; Tunny.
Gxroc Dist.: All warm seas, wandering northward to Cape Cod. Not
known on our shores until 1880, when it arrived in countless numbers.
(Bean, 1903).
Srason in R.I.: This species has been abundant in some years, but is
usually rare or absent. Specimen 124 inches long taken by Mr.
Samuel Powell, at Newport. On August 23, 1880, twenty-eight barrels
were taken in a mackerel seine ten mile east of Block Island. Immense
schools were reported that year between Montauk Point and Georges
Banks. (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880.) One was reported taken at
the mouth of Narragansett Bay in the autumn of 1904.
Size: Sixteen inches.
Thunnus thynnus (Linneus). Horse Mackerel; Tunny.
Groa. Dist.: Pelagic on all warm coasts. North to England, Newfound-
land, San Francisco, and Japan.
SEASON IN R. L.:
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 103
Plentiful some years; rare, others. Taken in autumn
around Newport and Narragansett Pier, but more abundant at Point
Judith. More rare formerly, but of late becoming more common.
Forty to sixty have been taken in one trap at one time. Present in
Rhode Island waters from May or June to November, but most num-
erous in July. Mr. Brownell, of Tiverton, says that in the autumn of
1904 he ran through an immense school of this species, extending for
ten miles. In the
years from 1903 to 1908, 752 horse-mackerel were shipped from New-
Specimen taken at Quonset Point trap July, 1908.
port. The following table shows their distribution by months and
years:
YEARS. 3 5
3 i i cS :
n = =I or
Z ¢ 2 5 = 3 > cs
x = Ss 5 a °
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TIGR. ha Sa ea IRE Oi 8 CRE RA PBs PAGAN 9 13 50 rey ah ateane: 79
ROR e pee ne a2 sus ad abs 5 | 130-] 119 40 31 9 2 336
Te Ce los CAR OMI TASER ORE CECE Senza 6 80 1 AN cee ee baer 91
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Rotals:.c.ss hse saree ner 5 | 118 | 306 81 | 119 44 9 751
ReEpropuction: It is said to spawn in June.
Foop: Menhaden, mackerel, dog-fish, and other small fishes.
Rate oF GROWTH:
The recently hatched young, according to Yarrell,
weigh 14 ounces, and grows to four ounces in August, and to thirty
ounces in October (Bean, 1903).
The largest ever taken weighed
1,500 pounds; the largest on record from Rhode Island, caught by
Mr. Brownell, weighed 750 pounds.
85.
GeEoa. DistT.:
Sarda sarda (Bloch). Bonito.
Atlantic Ocean of both coasts, north to Maine.
The limit
of its northern range is usually stated as Cape Cod or Cape Ann.
Yet it has been reported from Maine, at Harpswell, Casco Bay (Bow-
doin College, 1890). On Massachusetts coast, reported from many
104
86.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
localities (from Lynn to Nantucket). In Connecticut, from Stoning-
ton (Linsley, 1844) and Noank (Bean, 1880). Scarce on Long Isl-
and coast.
Hasirat: The open sea, approaching shores for food and spawning.
Season IN R.I.: Seen occasionally in the autumn. It is not distinguished
by the fishermen from other species of this family. In the early seven-
ties it was exceedingly abundant in the waters about Block Island, and
the east end of Long Island. Since then it has been occasionally seen.
It fluctuates greatly in numbers from year to year.
RaTE oF GRowTH: Maximum, 24 feet. Some specimens two inches long
once taken in July at Menemsha (Smith, 1898).
Foop: Stomach contents have shown mackerel, menhaden, squids, and
small crustacea.
Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitchill). Spanish Mackerel.
Gsoa. Dist.: Both coasts of North America; appears in irregular schools
in the Gulf of Mexico and off the Carolina coast. Ranges north to
Maine and south to Brazil. Occasional along the whole coast of New
England and Long Island shore.
Mierations: They reach the North Carolina coast in April, the Chesa-
peake about the twentieth of May, and from New Jersey to Cape Cod
in July. They begin to diminish about the middle of September, and
the end of October witnesses their disappearance north of the Carolinas.
Hasitat: A warm-water fish, preferring temperature of 70° to 80° F. Gre-
garious and migratory, travelling in immense schools scattered over
large ocean areas. Prefers the surface; avoids fresh and brackish
water.
Season IN R. I.: Not very common. A few dozen specimens taken each
year between the middle of August and October, in Narragansett Bay.
Fifty large ones taken in a trap by Mr. Easterbrooks at Price’s Neck,
Newport, August 15, 1905.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning season begins in April in the Carolinas and
becomes later northward. Sixteen spawning specimens were taken by
Ryder at New Point Comfort, Va., July 13, 1880. Eggs are from 1-22
to 1-28 inch in diameter, pelagic, and have an oil globule. A six-pound
fish yields about 1,500,000 eggs. Spawning takes place in warm and
very shoal waters. Eggs hatch in 20 to 26 hours. At hatching em-'
bryo is about 1-10 inch in length.
Foop: It feeds on all small species frequenting the surface: alewives
butterfish, herrings, etc, and particularly the menhaden.
Side
88.
89.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 105
Rate oF GRowTH: Average size, twenty-four inches. Largest examples
recorded weigh eight to nine pounds. Large specimens generally
solitary. In Chesapeake Bay, not often exceed two or three pounds.
It is believed that the species grows very little in the first two years
of its life, not exceeding half a pound at the end of that time.
REFERENCES:
1880: Earuu, Report, U.S. Fish Com., VIII, 345.
1881: RypeEr, Bull. U.S. Fish Com., I, 135.
1897: Brice, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XXIII, 220.
Scomberomorus regalis (Bloch). Cereen; Kingfish.
Geog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil. Recorded from Woods Hole (Baird,
1873), Monomoy (Kendall coll. 1896), Vineyard Sound (Smith, 1898).
Abounds in West Indies.
Hapitat: Pelagic in tropical waters. Little known of its habits.
SEASON IN R.JI.: Rare in Narragansett Bay, taken usually in the autumn.
Foop: Small fishes.
Size: Maximum, five to six feet.
TRICHIURID. The Cutlas-Fishes.
Trichiurus lepturus (Linneus). Cutlas-fish; Scabbard-fish.
Grog. Dist.: Warm seas, chiefly of western Atlantic; north to Maine.
Reported from Maine (Monahegan, Storer, 1853) and from several places
along the Massachusetts shore. Rare on Long Island (Bean, 1903).
SeasonInR.IJ.: A few stragglers taken nearly every year. Specimen take
by Mr. J. M. K. Southwick, Newport, November 16, 1899. Specimen
three feet long caught in a trap at Newport, 1901. This is the largest
specimen recorded from New England waters. Several smaller speci-
mens taken in the Bay the same year. Several specimens have been
taken by the Lewis Brothers in their traps in Narragansett Bay at
various times.
Foop: Carnivorous.
Size: Five feet.
ISTIOPHORID. The Sail-Fishes.
Istiophorus nigricans (Lacépéde).
Grog. Dist.: West Indies and warmer parts of the Atlantic, north to
Key West and France. Stragglers taken at Savannah, Newport, and
Woods Hole. At Woods Hole reported by Baird (1873). Dr. Smith
14
106 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
(1898) says:—‘‘taken only at Quisset Harbor, where during the past
twenty-five years about half a dozen have been caught in a trap; all
were about nine feet long.”
Season In R.1.: Very rare; specimen in U.S. National Museum taken off
Newport in August, 1872. A specimen from Newport was reported by
Goode (1884).
Size: Ten feet. (For description and pictures of young, see Liitken
[translated by Bean,] Report, U.S. Fish Com., VIII, 1880, 375.)
90. Tetrapturus imperator (Bloch and Schneider). Spearfish.
GroG. Dist.: West Indies north to Cape Cod. Reported from Woods
Hole (Baird, 1873). Between 1885 and 1890 many were caught in
Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay, during July and August.
Season IN R. I.: Very rare. Specimen seven feet long taken at Block
Island in 1875 (Goode, 1880). Reported from Narragansett Bay (R. I.
Fish Com., 1899).
Size: Seven feet is the usual length, weighs from 4 to 100 pounds.
XIPHIIDA. The Sword-Fishes.
91. Xiphias gladius (Linneus). Swordfish.
Geog. Dist.: Atlantic Ocean on both sides, most abundant between Cuba
and Cape Breton. Common off Cape Cod and Newfoundland Banks.
Common off Southern Europe and found in the Pacific. Common off
whole New England shore, especially on Georges Banks and off Block
Island.
Mierations:. Appear in the vicinity of Sandy Hook about June first and
fishing season continues off New England shore until the middle of
September. Disappears southward as soon as cold winds begin to blow
(Bean, 1903).
Srason In R. I.: In 1905 they began to reach Georges Banks about June
16. Twenty-two were taken in one day, sixty-one in a week. Began
to reach Block Island June 26, when thirteen were taken. One seen
off Sakonnet Point July 18. Leave Rhode Island waters in November.
Abundant in the years 1905 and 1906. From 1896 to 1908, 3,503
swordfish were shipped from Newport. In the following table the catch
of swordfish for each year, arranged according to months, is shown:
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 107
Table Showing Number of Sword-fish Shipped from Newport, 1897-1908.
=
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ROR MENTE airs Ma IRS os Wes as 14 7 iN eee Boe see 74
SOG RARE erie totic xe 6 38 6 52 26 18 8 8. 6 62
Tio) pe ae ct Pee nO ae 101 G5 eect oes Elen ses a ae ill pote ot | 166
1ST ne Peake A ee 1 OU] ese ER ahr | ORE ee a RL ee eines ore OE A [Nel Oa
GER se Seite Onto ey et 5 AN A’7 Se tsps ves here er [cote RIE Ie 179
TVG TS ee 6 ek ae | ee 15 | 109 24 1G a eter Sell pcesacts eee | 164
TYE ee an 15 | 160] 300 47 9 OSalAe one lates | 554
Nae ee ee Oe es | ee 67 | 611 22 18 Dail | 793
TSOGM ee eel oaks 472 | 274 Git lics ered altencieclee eaenl roe eee 811
TO Tan ae ee | 17|) 11S t6 1D lire clk see eee? 263
‘Olid eae eee eee 85 81 30 1 1s | eee eee 198
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Repropuction: In the Mediterranean it spawns in spring and early sum-
mer, probably in the open ocean.
Foop: Contents of the stomach show fishes like mackerel, menhaden, cod,
hake, and squids.
Size: Ten feet, maximum sixteen feet. Young, 10mm and 37 mm., have
been found by Liitken (Ehrenbaum, Nordishes Plankton, 4, 1905, p.
35; description and picture of 37mm. young). Specimen measuring
two feet taken off Block Island, in July 1877 (Goode, 1880). Specimen
taken in West Indies by the “ Challenger,” 14 inches long. (For the nat-
ural history of the swordfish see Goode, Report, U.S. Fish Com., VIII,
1880, 289: Litken, translated by Bean, loc. cit. 375. Young described
by Ginther, are referred to in Amer. Nat. X, 1876, 239.)
CARANGIDA. The Pompanos, Amber-Fishes, etc.
92. Oligoplites saurus (Bloch and Schneider). Leather-jacket.
Groa. Dist.: Both coasts of tropical America, common in West Indies,
north to Woods Hole and Menemsha Bight (Smith, 1898). Rare on
Long Island (Bean, 1903).
108
93.
94.
95.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Season InN R. I.: Very rare. Reported at Newport (Goode, 1884);
specimen taken September 10, 1886, at Newport (Smith, 1898).
Size: Specimen 93 inches long taken in January 1896, at Gravesend Bay
(Bean, 1903).
Naucrates ductor (Linnzus). Pilot-fish.
Groc. Dist.: Pelegic fish found in all warm seas. Occasional on our
Atlantic coast from West Indies to Maine. In Maine reported from
near Seguin (Bowdoin College). In Massachusetts at Provincetown
(Atwood, 1859) and Woods Hole (Baird, 1871, and Smith, 1898). In
Connecticut at Stonington (Linsley, 1844).
Season in R.I.: Taken rarely from July to October in Narragansett Bay.
More common in outside waters.
ReEpPrRopucTION: Young are developed in the open ocean and are so differ-
ent in appearance that they have been described as a different genus.
Foop: Omnivorous. Van Beneden found stomach contents to consist of
portions of fishes, crustacea, fucoid plants, and, in one case, parings of
potatoes (Amer. Nat. V, 1871, 436.)
SizE: Two feet.
Seriola zonata (Mitchill). Rudder-fish,; Pilot-fish; Shark-pilot.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Hatteras northward from Cape Ann. Reported from
several places in Massachusetts shore, from Long Island Sound (Linsley,
1844), and from Gravesend Bay, Long Island (Bean, 1903). Common
at Woods Hole from July to October.
SpnasoniInR.I.: Single specimens occasionally taken from July to October.
A specimen in possession of the Commission is dated 1899. Three
specimens from Newport are in the U. 8. National Museum (Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 91). Specimen one and one-half inches long in
Roger Williams Park Museum from Warwick, R. I.
Foop: Stomach of one individual contained fragments of a butter-fish.
At Woods Nole, they have been observed to feed for weeks chiefly on
Menidia (Smith). Also feed on small killifish (Bean, 1903).
Rate oF GrowTH: Adults are two or three feet long. Young are common
south of Cape Cod; specimens from 14 inches long up to six or seven
inches at Woods Hole.
Seriola lalandi (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Amber-jish.
Geoa. Dist.: Brazil to Cape Cod. In New England reported from Woods
Hole (Smith, 1898) and Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com. 1899).
One specimen from Gravesend Bay, L. I., July 15, 1896 (Bean, 1903).
96.
97.
98.
*
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 109
Season In R. I.: Rare. Taken in traps occasionally during summer
months.
Size: Five or six feet long and up to 100 pounds weight.
Decapterus punctatus (Agassiz). Scad; Round Robin; Cigar-fish.
Groc. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil. Taken at Woods Hole (Baird, 1873,
Bean, 1880, Smith, 1898), at East Haven in Connecticut (1884); occa-
sionally taken from August to October on Long Island (Bean, 1903).
Season In R. I.: Taken in Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com., 1899).
Three specimens, the largest measuring 4} inches, taken from the
stomach of a horse mackerel (Pelamys?) at Newport, by Mr. Samuel
Powell. (Fowler, Proc. Acad. Sci. Phil., LVI, 1904, 760).
Rate oF GRowTH: Only young and half-grown specimens are taken on
Long Island and around Cape Cod (Bean, 1903). Adults reach a
length of about one foot.
Decapterus macarellus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Mackerel Scad.
Grog. Dist.: Warm parts of Atlantic north to Nova Scotia. Cornish
reports specimens at Canso (1907). Common every year in October at
Woods Hole (Baird, 1873 Smith, 1898) and at Vineyard Sound (Smith,
1898). Taken in abundance at Southampton, Long Island, August 31,
1897 (Bean, 1903). Abundant along south Florida coast.
Hasitat: Shallow waters and harbors, moving in small schools.
Season In R.I.: Occasional in October. Prof. Jenks is authority for the
statement that none over six inches long are ever taken in our waters.
Specimen in the U. S. National Museum, taken at Newport by Mr.
Samuel Powell (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1879, 42).
Foop: Copepods and annelids.
RATE OF GROWTH: Specimens over six inches long not reported in northern
waters. Adults reach a longth of one foot. —
Trachurus trachurus (Linneus). Saurel; Gascon.
Gro. Dist.: North Atlantic, chiefly on coast of Europe, south to Spain
and Naples. Taken also at Newport; Pensacola; Cape San Lucas, and
Long Island. Only four American specimens are known, but it occurs
in enormous schools on the European coasts. The Long Island specimen
was taken October 16, 1898, in Clam Pond Cove, in company with young
bluefish and menhaden (Bean, 1901).
Hasitat: Surface waters, with habits like mackerel.
Season IN R.1I:. Goode describes specimen from Newport. (Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus. 1882, 269).
110 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in May in the English Channel; from June to
August in the North Sea. The egg is 1-25 inch in diameter (.84 to 1.04
mm.), with segmented yolk and an oil globule. The larva at hatching
is 1-10 inch (2.5mm.) long. (Egg and young are described by Ehrenbaum
Nordisches Plankton, 4, 1905, 27.)
Foop: Feeding habits, like blue-fish (Bean, 1903).
S1zE: One foot.
99. Trachurops crumenophthalmus (Bloch). Big-eyed Scad; Goggler.
Groa. Dist.: Both coasts of tropical America, straying north to Nova
Scotia. Two specimens taken at Canso in fish-traps by Cornish (1907).
Reported from Woods Hole (Baird, 1873; Bean, 1880; Smith, 1898),
where it is common every year from October fifteenth to November
fifteenth. Common in all tropical seas and abundant in the Caribbean
seas in winter. Taken the fall on Long Island shores (Bean, 1903).
Season IN R. I.: Common in October and November (Prof. Jencks).
Specimen from Newport in the U.S. National Museum. (Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus., 1880, 84.)
RATE oF GrowTH: Most northern specimens are from four to six inches
long. The adult reaches a length of about two feet.
Foop: Annelids, shrimp, small fishes.
100. Caranx hippos (Linnezus). Crevalle; Jack.
Grog. Dist.: Warm seas, both coasts of tropical America, north to Gulf
of California and Cape Cod, also found in East Indies. Taken at Lynn
Beach (Wheatland, 1852; Goode and Bean, 1879) and at Woods Hole
(Baird, 1873; Bean, 1880; Smith, 1898). Abounds in Gulf of Mexico and
East Florida and occurs throughout the West Indies.
Season In R.1.: Occasionally taken from July to November. Specimen
from Newport in U.S. National Museum (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880,
90). Several specimens taken in West Passage during August and
September of 1906. Usually associated with C. Crysos, but not so
numerous as that species. September 24, 1906, specimen, West Passage
trap.
Foop: Fishes like mullet and menhaden; crustacea. Feeds in shallow
water near the shore.
Rate oF GrowTH: Largest are two feet long. Young one inch long are
taken at Woods Hole about July first. In Great Egg Harbor, N. J.,
small individuals are common in summer. Specimens from four to
six and one-half inches taken at Ocean City and Longport late in Au-
gust. The adult reaches about three feet and weighs thirty pounds.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Wis
101. Caranx erysos (Mitchill). Hardtail; Yellow Crevalle.
Groa. Dist.: Gloucester to Brazil. Reported from several places on
Massachusetts shore (Kendall, 1908).
Season In R. I.: Not uncommon from August to November. Most of
those caught in traps are small, about eight to ten inches long, but one
very large specimen, about eighteen inches long, taken in trap near
Saunderstown, Narragansett Bay, August 10, 1905. Specimen from
Newport in the U.S. National Museum (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880,
90). August 23, 1905, Dutch Island trap—specimen. August 27, 1905,
Dutch Island trap, six specimens. August 27, 1905 Hazard’s Quarry
trap—specimen. September 24, 1906—West Passage trap, half-dozen
small specimens.
Repropuction: Probably spawns in West Florida in May in the salt-water
bayous (Bean, 1903).
Foop: Crustacea.
Size: Fifteen inches. Young one to two and one-half inches long, taken
at Woods Hole in summer (Smith).
102. Alectis ciliaris (Bloch). Cobbler-fish; Threadfish.
Geoa. Dist.: Tropical America on both coasts, ranging north to Cape Cod.
Reported from Woods Hole (Baird, 1873; Bean, 1880; Smith, 1898)
and from Connecticut, at Stratford (Linsley, 1844). Occasional on
Long Island shore (Bean, 1903).
Season in R.I.: Rare. From June to November. The Commission is in
possession of a specimen three and one-half inches long from Newport.
Specimens from Newport are in the U.S. National Musuem (Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 90.) Specimen in trap in West Passage, Sep-
tember 15, 1906.
Size: Three feet. Specimens from three to eight inches long at Woods
Hole from June fifteenth to November first (Smith).
103. Vomer setipinnis (Mitchill). Pug-nosed Shiner; Dollar-fish.
Groc. Dist.: Tropical America, both coasts. Common south, young
occurring north in Gulf Stream, northward to Gloucester. Reported
from various places in Massachusetts and in Connecticut from Green-
wich (Linsley, 1844). Occasional on Long Island shore (Bean, 1903).
Season In R.I.: Of various abundance in different years. Adults usually
rare. Occasional specimens: in August, September, and October.
Usually much more frequent than Selene vomer. The first recorded of
this species from Rhode Island was a young specimen described by
Ah? REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Cope in 1870 (Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. Phila., 1870, 119). Specimens
from Newport are in the U. 8. National Museum (Proc. U. 8. Nat.
Mus., 1880, 89). An adult specimen taken in Narragansett Bay at
Newport by Mr. J. M. KX. Southwick in 1899. Young specimens taken
August 23 and October 9, 1905.
In 1906 a remarkably large number of these fishes were present in Rhode
Island waters, from the first of August until the last of September. In
this season also, adults were numerous; the traps in West Passage were
found at nearly every haul to contain from one to a half-dozen of these
fishes. On August 8, 1906, a specimen was taken in Hazard’s Quarry
trap, and on September 17, 1905, two small specimens were taken at
Wild Goose trap, where large size specimens were common for a month
preceding.
Repropuction: A male specimen taken in West Passage trap, Narra-
gansett Bay, September 11, 1906, gave milt on gentle pressure.
SizE: Maximum, one foot.
104. Selene vomer (Linnzus). Lookdown; Dollar-fish.
Grog. Dist.: Tropical seas, northward to Maine. Reported in Maine
from Casco Bay, in Massachusetts from Dorchester, Woods Hole, Nan-
tucket, and New Bedford, and in Connecticut from Stratford and Long
Island Sound, middle ground (Kendall, 1908). Occasionally on Long
Island shore (Bean, 1903).
Season IN R.I.: Rare. Specimens sometimes taken in late summer and
early fall. Specimen taken October 5, 1906, at Second Beach, Newport.
Foop: Small crustacea, shrimp, gasteropods, lamellibranchs.
Size: Specimens on northern shores are usually from three to five inches
long. Adults reach a weight of two pounds.
105. Trachinotus faleatus (Linnzeus). Round Pompano.
Goa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Brazil. Taken at Woods Hole (Baird, 1873,
Smith, 1898) and at Nantucket (Sharpe and Fowler, 1904). Common
about Cape Cod in summer, but no adults are seen. Common on Long
Island shore (Bean, 1903).
Season IN R. I.: Reported in Narragansett Bay by Rhode Island Fish
Commission, 1899.
Rate or GrowtH: In northern waters they are never over three inches in
length. Young from one-half to one inch long appear at Woods Hole
in July; in September, when they disappear, they are two inches long
(Smith, 1898). On Long Island shore specimens one inch to one and
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 113
three-quarters inches long were taken August 10th and 11th; September
2nd, specimen one and one-half inches long; September 30th, several
specimens over two inches in length were taken (Bean, 1903). Adults
reach fifteen inches.
106. Trachinotus carolinus (Linnzeus). Common Pompano.
Geoc. Dist.: Abundant on South Atlantic and gulf coasts of United
States, straying to Brazil and Cape Cod. Taken at Woods Hole (Baird,
1873; Bean, 1880; Smith, 1898). At Nantucket (Sharp and Fowler,
1904) and at Noank, Connecticut (B.S.N.H.). The young are summer
and fall visitors on Long Island shore (Bean, 1903).
SEASON IN R. I.: Reported in Narragansett Bay by R. I. Fish Com.,
1899.
Repropuction: Probably spawn on east coast of Florida in April and May.
Full of nearly ripe spawn in April on the coast of Florida (Henshall,
1889).
Foop: Stomach contents: fishes, small crustacea, amphipods, lamelli-
branch shells, diatoms, and vegetable debris. Often seen rooting or
digging in the sand for food (Jordan and Evermann, 1902, p. 318).
Size: Eighteen inches. At Woods Hole, young from two to four inches in
length appear between July 20th and August Ist and remain until
September (Smith, 1898).
POMATOMIDA. The Bluefishes.
107. Pomatomus saltatrix (Linneus). Bluefish.
Geoa. Dist.: Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Mierations: Its migrations are probably more influenced by the presence
of food than by temperature. They move along the coast from the
south toward the north in the spring, following the schools of menhaden.
Immense schools appear off the coast of Carolina in March and April;
reaching the Jersey coast in the early part of May; Newport, middle of
May to first of June. In October they leave the northern coasts and
appear off the coast of Carolina about the middle of November, where
a very extensive fishery exists until late in December. Their presence
off the Carolina coast in autumn is preceded by schools of menhaden
and marked by flocks of birds (Prof. Baird, Report U.S. Fish Com.,
1873).
Season 1N R. J.: Common but not abundant. They arrive about June
first and remain until the last of November. These fishes are 10 to 14
inches in length. About the first of September, young about 5 inches
15
114
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
long are caught in the traps; they remain the rest of the season, con-
stantly increasing in size, and are about 8 or 9 inches in length when
they disappear. August 7 to October 15, young taken at Red Bridge,
Seekonk River.
RepropuctTion: Young less than one inch in length are never taken in
coast waters; specimens about the same length appear along the whole
coast at about the same time. This fact makes it appear probable that
the bluefish spawns in the open ocean in the winter or early spring,
before they arrive on our shores. Well-developed spawn is found in a
small proportion of the bluefish when they first arrive. (See Ehren-
baum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 1905, 27.)
Foop: A very voracious, carnivorous fish, feeding particularly on men-
haden and squeteague. Stomachs also sometimes contain herring,
cunners, squid, butterfish, marine worms, and crustacea. The young
of the second year feed largely on schools of Menidia around the shores.
Rate oF GRowtH: The Fish Commission Steamer “ Albatross,’ and the
schooner ‘‘Grampus,’’ have taken specimens under an inch long off
shore. There seems to be little room for doubt regarding the usual rate
of growth of the bluefish in northern waters, during its first two years.
June 5, 1908, a specimen one inch long was taken in the Dutch Island
Harbor trap. A specimen 26 mm. (one inch) long was taken in a seine
at Cornelius Island on July 1, 1908. Specimens 1 to 2 inches are fre-
quently seen in Wickford Cove in June and early July. Bean seined
individuals 14 to 14 inches long at Ocean City, N. J., the last of August
(Bean, 1903).
These small specimens probably grow to be from four to eight inches in
August and September. On July 1, 1907, ten specimens were taken
at Quonset Point which were 4 1-5 inches long. Five specimens were
taken in a seine at Cornelius Point on August 7, 1908, which aver-
aged 5 1-5 inches in length. The next day, August 8th, the average
size of five specimens taken at Cornelius Point was 54 inches. On
August 10, 1908, four specimens were seined at Cornelius Island that
averaged 5 1-12 inches. On August 27, 1905, many specimens four
to six inches long were found gilled in the meshes of the traps. A
dozen five-inch specimens were taken in a West Passage trap on Sep-
tember 24, 1906. In the trap, Sand Blow, on Conanicut Island, two
specimens 6 inches long were taken October 2, 1905. September 15,
1908, the average of several specimens was 74 inches.
At Woods Hole “young first appear early in July, being about three inches
long’’ (Smith, 1898). Baird (1871), says that about the middle of
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. hes
August, bluefish at Woods Hole are five inches in length and that by
the end of September they are seven or eight inches long. Bean records
the following specimens at Great South Bay, L. I., July 18, 3? to 33
inches; August 27, 74 inches; August 28, 3} inches; and August 29,
62 inches. Seal found young, 5 to 8 inches long in the Potomac River,
September 20, 1899 (Bean, 1891).
In October they reach a length of six to eight inches or nine inches. When
the fish return in June they measure from eight to twelve inches. A
specimen thirteen inches was taken at Sand Blow trap on July 9, 1906.
On July 24, 1905, a few specimens eight inches long were taken at Dutch
Island trap. On August 23, 1905, many specimens ten inches long were
taken in the Sand Blow trap, and in the Hazard’s Quarry trap, on
August 29, 1905, two specimens ten inches long were taken. Seven
specimens taken in Ducth Island Harbor trap on August 16, 1909, were
124, 123, 121, 18, 12 1-5, 134, and 12 inches long. At the end of the
season they are fourteen to eighteen inches in length.
The following is the record of certain feeding experiments carried on with
On
bluefish confined in the rearing cars of the lobster plant at Wickford
Experiment Station:
August 8 and 10 a number of young bluefish were caught in the seine
and were placed in one of the rearing cars which had been provided with
coarse window screens of one-fourth inch mesh. When put into the
car there were already present in the water several thousand young
anchovies, about 20 to 25 millimeters in length. These the bluefish ate
during the first day. On several occasions a few Menidia and Fundulus
were given them to eat. On August 12, they were given as much raw
meat as they could eat, and this they devoured ravenously. They
were fed on meat again on August 15, and on Menidia two days later.
The average size of these bluefish on August 18, about ten days after
they were put into the car, was 140.8 millimeters, an average increase of
about 10 millimeters. On September 1, they were measured again,
having been fed meantime on several occasions with Menidia, Fundulus,
and other small fishes. The average length on this date, September 1,
was 174 millimeters. This measurement and the two which follow were
taken from the nose to the end of the fin rays, whereas the previous
measurements were taken from the nose to the base of the fin rays.
Between September 1 and September 8, the specimens were not fed.
On September 8 they measured 175.1 millimeters, showing an increase
during seven days of 1.1 millimeters. On September 8 a quantity of
116 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
live fishes was put into the car to serve as food for the bluefish,
and during the next seven days, the bluefish showed an average
growth of about 10 millimeters, the average length being 184.3
millimeters.
NOMEIDA. The Nomeids.
108. Nomeus gronovii (Gmelin). Portuguese Man-of-War-Fish.
Grog. Dist.: Tropical parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in rather
deep water, swimming near the surface, very abundant in the Sargasso
Sea, common north to Florida and Bermuda, straying to Panama and
Woods Hole. At Woods Hole reported only twice, in Vineyard Sound,
1889, and off Tarpaulin Cove in 1894 (Smith, 1898). ;
Hasitat: Found living under Portuguese man-of-war. Pelagic young
are common in the tropics. Specimens 4 to 14 inches long were taken
by the “Challenger,” September 16, 1875.
SEASON IN R.I1.: Reported in Narragansett Bay by R. I. Fish Commission,
1899.
CENTROLOPHID. The Rudderfishes.
109. Palinurichthys perciformis (Mitchill). Rudder-fish,; Pole-fish.
Grog. Dist.: Atlantic coast of North American from Cape Hatteras to
Nova Scotia. Reported from Canso (Cornish, 1907). Common at
Woods Hole from June to November (Smith, 1898). Rare at Long
Island, but common two or three miles off shore (Bean, 1903).
SEASON IN R. I.: Specimen from Newport in U. 8. National Museum
(Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., 1886, 91). Reported by R.I. Fish Commission
in 1899.
Repropuction: Young in Atlantic under floating boxes and _ barrels
(Bean).
Foop: Small squids, snails, crustacea.
Size: One foot in length.
STROMATEID®. The Butter-Fishes.
110. Peprilus paru (Linnzus). Harvest-fish.
Groa. Distr.: Cape Cod to Jamaica. Usually rare at Woods Hole, but
occasionally common (Smith, 1898); taken at Monomoy (Kendall
coll., 1896). Not common along Long Island shore (Bean, 1903).
Season in R.I.: Rare, only a few appearing each season in June or July
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. tba,
with the butter-fishes. A large specimen taken July 24, 1905, and on
August 16, 1909, a specimen was taken in the Conanicut Point trap.
Size: Hight inches.
111. Poronotus tricanthus (Peck). Butter-jish.
Geoa. Dist.: Nova Scotia to Florida, rare south of Cape Hatteras. Com-
mon at Canso, Nova Scotia (Cornish, 1907). Abundant along whole
New England coast. At Woods Hole in 1898 the first were taken in a
trap at Cuttyhunk on May 11th, although reported at West Dennis on
the 5th.
Miarations: Appears early in April off the Jersey coast.
Season in R. I.: Appears toward the last of May, usually a little later
than the scup. The height of the spring run is during the first two
weeks in June. A few are present throughout the summer. In Octo-
ber occurs the fall run, and they finally leave in November.
In 1905 butter-fish first appeared May 22. <A few specimens were taken on
October 29, in a Dutch Island trap.
In 1906, off Newport, the butter-fish were first reported April 16, an unusu-
ally early date. Two specimens were taken in Sand Blow trap, West
Passage, on April 30.
In 1907, the first reported from Newport were taken May 10. On May 24,
50 barrels were taken at one haul off Newport.
On July 29, 1908, at Hazard’s Quarry trap they were very abundant and
had been for several days preceding. Few squiteague were present,
which fact may have accounted for the abundance of butterfish at this
time.
In 1909 butter-fish appeared off Newport about April 21. First appearance
of butter-fish in traps off Newport:
1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909.
April 28. April 21.
|
May 22. April. 2 | May 10.
|
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in June.
Foop: Small fishes, small free-swimming crustacea, annelids.
Rate oF GrowTH: In Narragansett Bay young are frequently found in
August living under the protection of the stringers of jelly-fishes. On
August 2, 1908, specimens 1-5 inch (4.6 mm. and 5.5 mm.) were taken
bee: REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
at the surface near the lobster plant of the Wickford Experiment
Station.
In the West Passage traps on October 2, 1905, half a barrel of specimens
three or four inches long were taken, and two barrels were taken at
Sand Blow trap on October 9, 1905. The maximum size is about 10
inches.
CENTRARCHID. The Sunfishes.
112. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock Bass.
Grog. Dist.: Vermont to Great Lake region and Manitoba, south to
Louisiana, very abundant west of the Alleghanies. Found in many
_lakes and rivers in New York. Its geographical distribution has been
much extended by artificial introduction.
Season In R. I.: Taken at Newport (Mr. Southwick). This species is
recorded from Vermont (Kendall, 1908), but not otherwise reported
from New England. Probably the species has been artificially intro-
duced into certain ponds and reservoirs near Newport.
Repropuction: Spawns in May and June on gravelly shoals. (Brice,
Report, U.S. Fish Com., XXIII, 1897, 159.)
Foon: Small fishes, worms, crustacea, insect larva.
Size: Twelve inches.
113. Lepomis auritus (Linneus). Long-eared Sunfish.
Groa. Dist.: Maine to Louisiana, east of the Alleghanies. Recorded from
ponds and streams throughout New England (Kendall, 1908).
Hasitrat: Abundant in al! fresh-water streams.
Season IN R.I.: Reported from Rhode Island (R. I. Fish Com., 1899).
REPRODUCIION: Spawns in early summer.
Foop: Worms, insect larve, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish.
Size: Hight inches.
114. Eupomotis gibbosus (Linnzus). Sunfish; Pumpkin Seed; Kiver.
Geoac. Dist.: Great Lakes region to Maine, and southward east of the
Alleghanies to Florida. Occurs only in the northern part of the Mis-
sissippi Valley. Common everywhere in New England.
Hasirat: Clear brooks and ponds.
Season in R. I.: Reported by R. I. Fish Com., 1899. Recorded from
Mashapaug, Benedict, and Fenner’s ponds (Pope coll., 1894-96), also
from Old Reservoir, in North Providence; Larkin’s Dyer’s Benedict,
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 119
Cunliff, Blackmoor’s, Sucker, and Belleville Ponds; Pawcatuck River
and its branches; also common in ponds and streams of Block Island.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in the spring in nests made by hollowing out
with the fins a depression in the mud or sand. The nests are guarded
by the male; the eggs are only about 1-32 inch in diameter, and not
very numerous. (Gill, Parental Care Among Fresh-Water Fishes,
Smithsonian Report, 1905, 403.)
Foop: Similar to that of the preceding species. (For food of the sunfish
see §. A. Forbes in Bulletins of the Illinois State Laboratory.)
Size: Eight inches.
115. Micropterus dolomieu (Lacépéde). Small-mouthed Black Bass.
Geog. Dist.: From Lake Champlain to Manitoba and southward on both
sides of the mountains from James River to South Carolina and Arkan-
sas. Indigenous to the upper parts of St. Lawrence basin, Great Lake
region and Mississippi basin. East of the Alleghanies it is a native of
the Ocurulgee and Chattahoochee rivers, but north of these streams it
has been widely distributed by artificial introduction (Bean, 1903).
Introduced throughout New England, where it is now common.
Hasitat: Clear cold waters of running streams.
SEASON IN R.I.: Introduced by R. I. Fish Commission into the following
ponds: Westerly, Pasquiset, Quidnick, Fenner’s, Chapman, and other
small ponds throughout the State. (See Reports of the R. I. Fish
Commission from 1897 to 1905.)
REPRODUCTION: Spawning season begins in March and ends in July.
Incubation period lasts from seven to fourteen days. Eggs are ad-
herent and laid in nests. Nest guarded by the male. (The habits of
the basses are described by Henshall, Book of the Black Bass, 2d ed.,
1904; and, More About the Black Bass, 1898; and by Reighard, The
Breeding, Habits, Development, and Propagation of the Black Bass.
Bull. Michigan Fish Com., No. 7, 1905.)
Foop: Small fishes, insects, and their larve, fresh-water crustaceans.
Size: Twelve to fifteen inches; maximum, two feet.
116. Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede). Large-Mouthed Black Bass.
Grog. Dist.: Rivers of United States from Great Lakes and Red River
of the North to Florida, Texas, Mexico, everywhere abundant. Intro-
duced into New England and Middle Atlantic States east of the Alle-
ghanies.
Hasitat: Lakes, bayous, and sluggish waters.
120 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES,
Season In R.I.: Introduced by the Rhode Island Fish Commission into
the following streams and ponds: Richmond, One Hundred Acre,
Roger Williams Park, Skinflint, Hospital, and Fenner’s ponds; Quid-
nick Reservoir; Penicatuck and Pawcatuck Rivers.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns from April to July. Eggs are adhesive and are
attached to stones during the incubation period, which lasts from one
to two weeks. The larve remain in the nest a week or ten days, and
at the age of two weeks will measure about three-quarters of an inch
in length (Bean, 1903). (Lydell, Bull. U.S. Fish Com., XXII, 1902,
39; Brice, Report, U.S. Fish Com., XXIII, 1897, 159.)
Foop: Carniverous, voracious; feeds on small fishes of all kinds, crawfish,
frogs, insects, and all other aquatic animals of suitable size.
Size: Eighteen inches or more.
PERCIDZ. The Perches.
117. Perea flavesecens (Mitchill). Yellow Perch.
Grog. Dist.: East of the Alleghanies and in the Great Lakes region.
Abundant everywhere throughout New England (Kendall, 1908).
SEAson IN R.I.: Common in ponds and streams throughout the State.
Reported from Benedict, Fenner’s Mashapaug, Larkin’s, Watchaug,
and Roger Williams Park Ponds; reservoirs in North Providence,
Poneganset Reservoir; Pocasset, Queen’s, Ten Mile, and Pawcatuck
Rivers.
ReEPRODUCTION: Spawns in March and April. Eggs hatch in eight to ten
days in water 60°. Eggs are about 1-7 inch in diameter (3.5 mm.), and
have a large oil globule. The eggs are laid in flat bands consisting of a
single layer agglutinated together by an adhesive material. These
bands of eggs somewhat resemble those of the goose-fish (Lophius), but
they are not so large and do not float on the surface. (Worth, Bull.
U.S. Fish Com., X, 1890, 331.) The larve just hatched are about 1-5
inch long (5 to 5.6 mm.). For a time it grows slowly, since a sixteen-
day larva is only a little over }-inch (6 mm.) in length. (For a descrip-
tion of the eggs and young see Ryder, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XIII,
1885, 518; also Brice, Report, U. S. Fish Com., XXIII, 1897, 182;
Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 1905, 11.)
Foop: Small fishes, crustaceous insects, ete.
Size: Maximum, one foot. Perch spawns at the age of one year. (Seal,
Forest and Stream, April 17, 1890.)
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. IAL
118. Boleosoma nigrum olmstedi (Storer). Darter.
Geoa. Dist.: Lake Ontario to Massachusetts, south to Virginia. Common
in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Hasitat: Among weeds of clear streams. (Jordan and Copeland, Amer.
Nat. X, 1876, 335.)
Season IN R.I.: Reported from Rhode Island by R. I. Fish Commission,
1899.
Foop: Insect larve, crustaceans, and small molluscs. (Forbes, Food of
the Darters, Amer. Nat. XIV, 1880, 697.)
Size: Three and a half inches.
CHEILODIPTERID. The Cardinal Fishes.
119. Apogon imberbis (Linnzus). King of the Mullets.
Geoa. Dist.: Mediterranean and neighboring waters. Once taken at New-
port and once recorded from the Island of Fernando de Noronha.
Season IN R.I.: A specimen taken at Newport was described by Cope in
1870. (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1870, 120.)
SERRANID. The Sea Basses.
120. Roccus lineatus (Bloch). Striped Bass; Rockfish.
Geog. Dist.: Atlantic coast of North America, Nova Scotia to Florida.
Most common from Cape Cod to Cape May. Introduced into California.
Common along the whole New England coast.
Mierations: It is said not to be migratory, but present along our coast in
winter as well as summer. Taken through the ice in Long Island and
Block Island Sounds in December (Goode, Nat. Hist. of Aquatie Ani-
mals, 425). At Woods Hole, arrives in May (Bumpus).
Season IN R.I.: Arrives the last of March with the shad. The dates of
arrival in Taunton River from 1871 to 1883 range from March 15 in
1880 to April 6, 1883 (Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, 1883, 478). On
September 17, 1906, twenty-four specimens were taken in Wild Goose
trap, and on September 24, 1906, another specimen was taken in the
same trap. In the Hazard’s Quarry trap on June 5, 1906, a few speci-
mens were taken, one of which weighed seven pounds.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns from April to June in rivers or brackish waters.
Eggs are buoyant, non-adhesive, 1-7 inch in diameter, and hatch in
three days in water 58°. A remarkable peculiarity of this fish is its
ability to hybirdize with other species. (White and yellow perch and
shad, Ryder.)
16
122 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Foop: Voracious feeders, eating fishes, mollusks, and crustacea (Goode,
loc. cit.).
Rate or GRowTH: Largest ever taken weighed 112 pounds. Young found
in June one inch long; in October these reach 43-inches (Goode).
REFERENCES:
1882: Aceassiz, A., Proc. Amer. Acad. XVIII, 274.
1885: Ryper, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XIII, 502.
1897: Brice, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XXIII, 185.
1905: Eurensaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 17.
121. Morone americana (Gmelin). White Perch.
Geog. Dist.: Atlantic coast, South Carolina to Nova Scotia. Common in
fresh and salt water along the whole New England coast.
Season in R.I.: Present the year around. Taken in traps in the Bay in
October. Found in Mashapaug and Cunliff Ponds, Pawtuxet River,
and in streams and ponds generally in the southern part of the State.
Also found at Block Island. October 29, 1905, a specimen was taken
in Dutch Island trap.
Hasitat: Shallow shore waters, brackish and fresh water of rivers and
ponds connected with salt water. Sometimes land-locked.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in April, May, and June, in fresh water. The
eggs are 1-34 inch in diameter (.73 mm) and very adhesive. They sink
to the bottom and hatch in six days in water of 51° to 53°. (See Ryder,
Report, U. S. Fish Com., XIII, 1885, 518; Brice, Report, U. S. Fish
Com., XXIII, 1897, 185.)
Foop: Shrimp, fish spawn, insects, crabs, small fishes, and eels.
Rate or GrowTH: At the time of hatching, the larva is about 1-11 inch
in length (2.3 mm.); in the first day it grows to { inch (8 mm.). The
adult grows to eight inches.
122. Epinephelus niveatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Snowy Grouper.
Groa. Dist.: Brazil to West Indies, often straying north to Cape Cod.
The first specimens recorded from Woods Hole were taken in 1895;
eight or ten other specimens recorded in the vicinity in the same year;
two of these were 2 and 14 inches long; others taken in 1897 and 1900.
All of these were taken between August and October, were under three
inches, and mostly taken in lobster pots (Smith, 1898).
SEASON IN R.I.: Two young specimens, two inches long, taken by Samuel
Powell at Newport, 1860 (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1861, 98).
Goode and Bean report the capture of another specimen at the same
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 123
place in 1877 (Amer. Jour. Sci. and Arts, XVII, 1879, 545). Also
three other specimens of this species from Rhode Island are in the U.S.
National Museum; one 24 inches long is from Tiverton, the other two,
3, and 34 inches long, taken at Point Judith.
123. Centropristes striatus (Linneus). Sea Bass; Black Bass.
Geoa. Dist.: Atlantic coast, Maine (Matinicus Island) to Northern
Florida. Common along Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Con-
necticut shores.
Mierations: Probably spends the winter in a torpid state around rocky
bottoms without extensive migrations (Goode). Appears on the
Jersey coast in April, at Woods Hole about the first or second week of
May. In 1898, arrived on May 10th, and were taken in large numbers
on the 12th.
Hapsitat: Rocky bottom in cavities and under stones.
Season iN R.I.: Arrives in May and is then most abundant. Leaves in
October. June 5, 1906, Hazard’s Quarry trap, a dozen specimens were
taken. In 1907, first specimen in the traps off Newport was taken
May 8; in 1908, first specimen taken May 5; in 1909, first specimen
taken May 4.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in June. Eggs are .,-inch in diameter, and
hatch in 5 days in water of 60°. (Brice Report, U.S. Fish Com. XXIII,
1897, 223.) (For embryological development of this species see Wilson,
Bull. U. 8. Fish Com. IX, 1889, 209.) Sexual differences are very
marked, especially during the breeding season.
Foop: Bottom feeder. The various crustacea are its most important
food; crabs, lobsters, shrimp; also squids, mollusks, small fishes.
Rate or GRowtH: Young }-inch long seined at Woods Hole, July 31.
Young two or three inches long were taken in October. Eigenmenn
(1901) took the following specimens, July 24, 1899: nine, one inch
long (ranging from 23mm. to 26 mm.); August 22, 1900, specimen
1% inches long (67 mm.); September 15, 1900, three specimens three
inches long (ranging from 73 mm. to 82 mm.).
124. Rypticus bistrispinus (Mitchill).
Grog. Dist.: South Atlantic coast of the United States in rather deep
water, strays north to Newport, R.1I.; not otherwise recorded north
of the Carolinas.
Season IN R.J.: One specimen was taken at Newport by Samuel Powell
and described by Cope in 1870. (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1870,
119.)
124
125.
126.
127.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
LOBOTID. The Triple-Tails.
Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch). Triple-tail; Flasher.
GroaG. Dist.: All warm seas, Cape Cod to Panama. Recorded from
Woods Hole (Baird, 1873; Smith, 1898), Menemsha Bight (Smith,
1898).
Hasirat: <A bottom-fish of sluggish habits.
Season in R. I.: The rarity of this species is shown by the fact that,
according to the Report of U. 8. Fish Commission, 1901, only six
specimens had been recorded in northern waters in twenty years.
Of late years, however, in Narragansett Bay, one or two specimens are
usually reported each season. Specimen taken off Pine Hill, 1898.
September 10, 1901, a specimen weighing six pounds, and 22 inches
long was caught in a trap off Prudence Island. A specimen 18 inches
long, was taken in a trap August 20, 1905, near Saunderstown. An-
other was reported by a fisherman in the upper part of Narragansett
Bay about two weeks later. In 1906 a specimen was taken in a trap
off Sauga Point, near Wickford. A specimen was taken in the Quonset
fish-trap on August 1, 1908.
ReEpropuction: Probably spawns in brackish water in the spring, as
young three inches long were found in August in the eel-grass in
Tuckahoe River, New Jersey (Goode).
Foop: Small fishes, mussels, and shrimp.
SizE: Three feet.
PRIACANTHID. The Catalufas.
Priacanthus arenatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes).
Grog. Dist.: Tropical Atlantic, south to Brazil; occasionally north-
ward in the Gulf Stream to Newport and Woods Hole. Reported
from Woods Hole and Quisset Harbor (Smith, 1898).
Season In R.1.: Small specimens taken at Newport are in U.S. National
Museum (Proc. Acad., Philadelphia, 1889, 159).
Pseudopriacanthus altus (Gill). Big-eye.
Groa. Dist.: West Indies, in rather deep water, north to Marblehead.
Reported from Marblehead Beach (Storer, 1867), Woods Hole, Achus-
net River, New Bedford. (Smith, 1898).
Spason in R.I.: Very rare. A few have been taken at Woods Hole and
vicinity. The type of this species described by Gill was a very young
specimen taken in Narragansett Bay, near Conanicut Ferry, in Sep-
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 25
tember, 1860. (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1870, 120.) Specimen
27 mm. long taken at Lily Pond Beach, Newport, August 25, 1902.
REPRODUCTION: Two specimens 14 inches long taken at Woods Hole,
November 28, 1885.
LUTIANID. The Snappers.
128. Neomeenis griseus (Linneus). Gray Snapper; Mangrove Snapper. .
Groa. Dist.: West Indies, ranging from New Jersey to Brazil, straying
northward to Woods Hole.
Season In R. I1.: A snapper was taken in 1896 at Newport which was
probably this species. Two young, 2 and 24 inches, were taken in
September, 1897 (Smith).
Size: Eleven inches.
129. Neomeanis blackfordi (Goode and Bean). Red Snapper.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Cod to the Carribean Sea. Recorded from Vineyard
Sound, Menemsha and Woods Hole. (Smith, 1898). Recorded once
from Long Island (Bean, 1901).
Season In R. I.: Specimen taken near Block Island (Bean, 1901).
Rate oF GrowtH: Adult reaches a length of 30 inches. Nine specimens,
the largest two inches long, taken at Woods Hole in September and
October, 1900 (Smith, 1900). Specimen 44 inches long taken at
Great South Bay, Long Island, October 26, 1887 (Bean, 1901).
SPARID. The Porgies.
130. Stenotomus chrysops (Linneus). Scup; Porgy: Scuppaug.
~Groc. Dist.: Most abundant on south coast of New England. Ranges
from Eastport, Maine, to South Carolina.
Mierations: They strike directly on the southern New England coast
from their winter habitat in warmer water; they begin to leave about
the middle of October. Cod have been taken on Nantucket shoals,
late in November, filled with small scup.
Season IN R. I.: The first stragglers appear about the last of April;
the first lafge run comes early in May, and consists chiefly of large
breeding fish. A second or summer run comes after the breeders and
is composed of small fishes without spawn. When entering our waters
the scup are said to come in from the west and south. They are very
abundant in May and June; stragglers remain all summer; they
126
In
In
In
In
In
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
finally leave the last of October. In 1900 the first arrival was April 21,
reaching Cuttyhunk April 26, Woods Hole on May Ist. In 1901, the
first arrival was April 26. The dates of the arrival of the scup in the
Taunton River, from 1871 to 1883 range from May 27 in 1880 to June 1
in 1882. The earliest recorded appearance in Rhode Island is prob-
ably April 15, 1871. The greatest abundance of that year in Newport
was on the 15th of May.
1905, Capt. Church, of Tiverton, caught a single scup on May Ist at
Newport. On May 11th the sea fowl appeared outside Newport
Harbor, the usual sign of the approach of the schools. First good
catch was made on May 16th, small catches were made until June 4th,
when for a few days the largest hauls of the season were made. The
season ended June 25th in Narragansett Bay, while at Block Island it
lasted until June 27. The season that year was poorer than usual, due,
perhaps, to the fact that on May 16 and a few days following, there
was an exceptionally large run of pollock along the whole shore from
Brenton’s Reef to Sakonnet Point.
1906 the first seup recorded from Rhode Island was taken off Cogges-
hall’s Ledge, April 20. The main run off Newport lasted from May 1
to about June 15. Scup were taken in greatest abundance from
May 5 to June 4. A run of pollock which lasted from the middle of
May until about the 21st of that month greatly interfered with the
abundance of scup.
1907 scup did not appear at Newport until May 2. Scattering speci-
mens were taken until May 10, after which the number rapidly in-
creased. The big run arrived about May 14 and remained until
June 24.
1908 a scup was taken in Coddington Cove on April 23 and two off
Coggeshall Ledge on the same day. The reported number of scup
rapidly increased after that date until April 29, when the main run at
Newport began. June 3 the catches began to decrease, and by June
9, only scattering individuals were being taken. Scup were very
abundant this year, especially in Narragansett Bay, where more scup
were caught than for many years.
1909 several scup were caught off Watch Hilf April 19. The main
body were present from about May 1 to June 14.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 127
Calendar of Scup Season, off Newport, 1905-1909.
1905. | 1906. 1907. 1908. | 1909.
First appearance................ May 1. April 20. | May 2. April 23. | April 19.
Run commences
re May 16. | May1. | May 11. | April 29. | May 1.
SEs ee June 25. June 15. June 24, June 9. June 14,
: | |
ES i i SiR dee Me June 1 to | May 5 to | May 21 to | April 29 to | May 10 to
June 18. | June 4. | June 10. June l. | June 7.
In the summer and fall of 1909 numbers of scup were often observed at
night, feeding near the edge of the water in Mill Cove, Wickford. One
of these specimens, taken August 13, 1909, measured 5 2-5 inches. In
1909, no specimens taken in Wickford Cove after October 8th.
Repropuction: The first runs consist largely of mature fishes filled with
spawn. Fishermen say that the scup spawn when confined in the
pounds; the eggs hatch in a very few days, and the young can often
be seen swimming around on the surface with the yolk sac visible.
As they grow older, they continue to remain in and around the pounds
for some considerable time. Spawning season begins with the arrival]
of the first schools on our shores (last of April or the first of May), and
continues until nearly the first of July. On April 30, 1906, 25 speci-
mens were taken in Sand Blow trap, some of which had ripe eggs.
Eggs taken from the female were artifically fertilized June 5, 1908.
Eggs 1-27 inch in diameter with small oil globule. Eggs hatch in four
days in water 62°. “The female fish of the second year not infre-
quently contains mature eggs” (Baird, 1871).
Enemies: Bluefish, cod, halibut, shark, squeteague.
Foop: Invertebrates chiefly, though small fishes are sometimes found in
the stomachs of large specimens. Mollusks, crustacea, annelids,
squids, hydroids, and crepidule have been identified in the stomach
contents. Stomachs of small specimens usually contain chiefly cope-
pods and other small crustacea.
Peck found the food of the scup to be somewhat varied, but the animals
upon which it feeds are the same general character as belong to the
bottom fauna. He found “in fish taken by the hook and line, a great
quantity of amphipods, some of the compound ascidians (Leptoclinum),
many small lamellibranch molluscs, and at times very many of the
sand-dollars (Echinarachnius parma) ground up with sand and deep
black mud of the bottom from which they were feeding, just above
128 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
which the amphipods are usually abundant” (Peck, BulJ., U.S.
Fish Com., XV, 1895, 355.) Young specimens four to six inches long
are often found feeding at night near the shores of coves and harbors
feeding on schools of small fishes.
Rare or Growrn: In the lower part of Narragansett Bay young speci-
mens two to three inches long are common everywhere in September,
and are taken abundantly in the traps in the West Passage, and in
seines along the shores in the neighborhood of Wickford.
September 2, 1909, two specimens, 45 and 53 mm., taken in seine, Corne-
lius Island. September 23, 1909, average of specimens taken in the
seine on Cornelius Island, Mill Cove (sandy beach with eel-grass), was 2
inches (51.5 mm.). Average of 6 specimens taken at the same place,
October 1, 1909, was 53.3 mm. At the same place, October 8, 1909,
a dozen or more specimens taken ranging from 52 to 56mm. These
must be the young from eggs spawned in May and June.
At Woods Hole young specimens 4 to 2 inches in length were taken in
July (Smith). Also specimens 1 1-5 inches (45 mm.) long taken July
25, and 24 inches (58 mm.) on August 2nd (Higenmann, 1901).
Sherwood and Edwards (1901) give the following data regarding the
growth of scup at Woods Hole: “July 3rd, length, 2 to 3 inches;
September 29, 3 to 4 inches; November, 4 inches.’ At Nichols Point,
Long Island, a number of young two inches long were taken September
Ist (Bean, 1903). “Throughout the summer young fish of the
spring spawning are to be seen floating around in the eel-grass and on
the sandy bottoms, having attained a length of from 24 to 3} inches
by the first of October” (Baird, 1871).
The first arrivals in the spring are large breeding scup, but this is soon
followed by another run of small specimens, about four or five inches
in length, which probably are the young of the preceding season.
When the scup re-appear in the second season, “thus completing one
year of existence, they measure about six inches; and by the first of
September attain an average length of eight inches (including the tail).
(Twelve individuals measured on the 31st of August from 71D) bOn9
inches in length)” (Baird, 1871).
In August, besides a few large and apparently mature scup, sizes like the
following are common in Narragansett Bay: August 13, 1909, Mill
Cove, a specimen 5} inches long taken; August 15, 1909, specimens
5 to 54 inches long were taken ina seine in Mill Cove. August 16,
1909, about 200 specimens taken in a trap at Dutch Island Harbor
131.
132.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 129
the average of eleven of these was 5 2-5 inches (133.9 mm.). On
the Long Island shore, July 31 and August 13, 1901, specimens
about six inches long taken in gill net (Bean, 1903).
“In the third year of existence, or at the age of two years, they have in-
creased considerably, measuring on their re-appearance about ten
inches. After this they grow more quickly. One hundred and ninety-
nine, presumed to be three-years fish, weighed on the 6th of Septem-
ber, averaged 14 half pounds each and measured about twelve inches
in length. It is in the fifth year, or after the lapse of four years from
birth, that the scup presents its finest development; specimens believed
to be of that age measured 14 or 15 inches with a weight of 24 to 3
pounds. They, however, still continue to grow, specimens being not
infrequently even more. The dimensions may belong to fish of six or
more years of age; more probably, however, of five years” (Baird,
1871-72, p. 228). (For an account of the natural history of the scup,
see Baird, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., I, 1871, 228).
Lagodon rhomboides (Linnzus). Sailor’s Choice; Shiny Scup.
Grog. Dist.: Abundant from Cape Hatteras southward, straying north
to Cape Cod. At Woods Hole, a few specimens usually taken each
year from July to September (Smith, 1898). Occasionally taken on
Long Island shores in summer (Bean, 1903).
Season in R. I.: Not common. Specimen from Newport, collected by
Mr. J. M. K. Southwick in 1899.
Repropuction: Spawns in the Gulf of Mexico in winter or early spring.
(Bean, 1903).
Foop: Small fishes, and invertebrates, especially crustacea.
Size: Six inches.
Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum). Sheepshead.
Grog. Dist.: Cape Cod to Mexico, abundant in the south. In Massa-
chusetts, recorded from south of Cape Cod (Storer, 1839, 1853), and
Vineyard Sound; in Connecticut, from Stratford (Linsley, 1844). On
Long Island shore this species is now uncommon, but was formerly
abundant (Bean, 1903).
Hasirat: Prefers rocky bottoms (Holbrook, 1860).
SEASON IN R.I.: Said to have been common formerly, but now rare north
of New York. Sometime’ taken at Newport (Mr. Southwick).
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in bays and mouths of rivers in summer in the
Gulf of Mexico. “In August, 1887, the Sheepshead was known to
17
130
133.
154.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
have been bred in Great Egg Harbor Bay, N. J” (Bean, 1903).
The egg is pelagic and has a diameter of 1-32 inch; it hatches in forty
hours in the warm water of the Gulf 76° or 77° (Brice, Report, U. 8.
Fish Commission, X XIII, 1897, 224).
Foop: Barnacles, shell-fish.
Rate or GrowtH: At Great Egg Harbor, N. J., twenty young individuals
one inch'to one and a quarter inches were seined between August 10
and September 9 (Bean, 1903).
KYPHOSID2. The Rudder-Fishes.
Kyphosus sectatrix (Linneus). Rudder-fish.
Geroa. Dist.: Common in West Indies and Key West, and east to the
Canary Islands, straying to Cape Cod. At Woods Hole, not rare, in
summer and fall; occasionally found in April (Baird, 1873; Smith,
1898). Rare on Long Island (Bean, 1903).
Season In R.I.: Specimen in U.S. National Museum, taken at Newport
by Mr. Samuel Powell (Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1879, 46).
RATE OF GROWTH: Only young specimens up to six inches long secured
at Woods Hole (Smith). Adult reaches a length of eighteen inches.
SCIAENIDA. The Drums.
Cynoscion regalis (Bloch and Schneider). Squeteague; Weakfish.
Groa. Dist.: Abundant from Cape Cod to Florida, straying on the Gulf
coast to Mobile, north to the Bay of Fundy. Recorded from coast of
Maine by Holmes (1862). Abundant along remainder of New Eng-
land and Long Island shore.
Mierations: Taken on the Jersey coast in April; first appear on the
Rhode Island coast in the middle of May. The temperature of the
water at the time of their arrival is about 50° F., though their move-
ments may depend more on the presence of schools of menhaden and
butter-fish, on which they feed, than on the temperature. It is thought
that their abundance from year to year is affected by the presence of
bluefish. De Kay (1842), Storer (1853), and Bean (1903) have stated
evidence to show that when bluefish are abundant, squeteague are
searce, and vice versa.
Season in R.1.: Scattering individuals are taken the middle or last of
May, but the large run does not come until about June 10. Very
abundant throughout the remainder of the season and is the
most important food fish of the State after the end of the scup
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 131
season. They decrease considerably in numbers the latter part of
July and August. They increase again the latter part of August and
September, and finally disappear in October.
In 1905 the large run of squeteague first appeared off. Newport on June 14,
The first specimen taken in Providence River in 1905 was at Gaspee
Point on June 16th. <A catch of 70,000 pounds was made June 16th,
1905, by a Gloucester schooner off Block Island.
The following is the record of squeteague taken off Newport:
In 1906, the first reported squeteague was a straggler, taken May 4. Two
days later, a half-barrel was taken. The big run was about June 10.
In 1907, two squeteague were caught May 21. On June 18, a few were
reported, but the main run did not arrive until June 24. The largest
reported catch was on June 27, when 300 barrels were taken in one
haul off Newport. Fishing remained good for some weeks later.
In 1908, two squeteague were caught on May 7. The first barrel reported
was taken June 6. June 11, the largest run arrived.
In 1909, a few large squeteague were taken May 19. The main run began
about June 17.
Catch of Squeteague in Scup Traps off Newport, 1905-1909.
| | |
| 1905. | 1006. | 1907. 1908. | 1909.
| | |
“Stragglers” first appeared..:... | June 14. May 4. | May 21. May 7. | May 19.
| | |
Commencement of run........... | June 21. | June 10. | June 24. June 6. | June 17.
It is the common opinion of the fishermen that the scarcity of squeteague
in Narragansett Bay in certain years, particularly in the summer of
1908, has been caused by the firing of heavy guns in the target practice
at Fort Greble about the first of June, when the fish are entering the
mouth of the Bay. A committee of the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries now
has the matter under investigation. (See Report of R. I. Fish Com.,
39, 1908, 12.)
Hasitat: Coast and still-water fish, running up tidal waters. Immense
schools on surface have often been seen.
Repropuction: Probably spawns around bays and inlets and at the
mouths of rivers. The eggs are buoyant, 1-28 inch in diameter, and
hatch in two days in water of 60° (Brice, Report of U.S. Fish Com.,
XXIII, 1897, 224). The spawning season in Rhode Island waters is
132
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
from the last of May, through June, and the early part of July (Tracy,
Report, R. I. Fish Com., 38, 1907, 85.) In New York waters they
spawn in May, and at Cape Cod about the first of June (Bean, 1903).
Foop: Fishes, especially menhaden and butter-fish, are its staple articles
of diet; also herring, scup, squids, shrimp. The young live exclusively
on shrimp and young fishes (J. H. Peck, The Sources of Marine Food,
Bull., U.S. Fish Com., 1895, 351). Specimens taken in traps in Narra-
gansett Bay have Fundulus and small shore fishes in their stomachs.
Rate or GrowTH: Young specimens ranging from +4 inch (4.2 mm.) u
So o
to 14 inches (87 mm.) are taken each summer during July and August
in the lobster rearing cars at the Wickford Experiment Station.
Eleven specimens taken averaged #-inch (18.9 mm.). On New Jersey
coast specimens 14 inches taken in August (Bean, 1903). Eigenmann
took specimens from various places in 1900: Seekonk River, India
Point, Fields Point, Buzzards Bay, Wareham River, Hadley Harbor,
and Vineyard Sound; five specimens taken in July ranged from 1}
inches (32 mm.) to 2 4-5 inches (70 mm.), average 1 3-5 inches (40.5
mim.);in August, four specimens ranging from 3 3-5 inches (89.5 mm.)
to 4 4-5 inches, averaged 4 1-5 inches (105.3 mm.); August 5, 1901,
young squeteague abundant at Red Bridge, Providence River, 1.25 to
2.25 inches in length; in September, five specimens ranging from 3 1-5
inches (80 mm.) to 8 inches (200 mm.) averaged 4 3-5 inches (114 mm.) ;
October fifth, a specimen 7 1-5 inches (180 mm.) taken; also on the
same date, Edwards found specimens six to eight inches long abundant
in New Bedford River.
At the beginning of the second season (June) young squeteague 8 to 10
inches begin to appear, though in Narragansett Bay they do not come
in large numbers until after the first run of large fish. About the
middle of August a large number of fish about 12 to 14 inches long are
* present. Definite measurements of the later stages are not yet made.
At the end of the second season the squeteague are probably from
14 to 20 inches in length; the large breeding fish which appear in June
about 18 to 25 inches in length are probably in the beginning of their
third season (two years old). Larger specimens, 30 to 40 inches are
fairly common; these are probably four or five years old. (For data
regarding the rate of growth of the squeteague see Eigenmann, In-
vestigations into the History of the Young Squeteague, Bull., U. 8.
Fish Com., X XI, 1901, 45; Tracy, loc. cit.).
135.
136.
137.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. a3
Bairdella chrysura (Lacépéde). Yellowtail; Silver Perch; Madamoi-
selle.
Groa. Dist.: South Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Texas to Rhode Island.
This species has not been previously recorded from New England.
On Long Island shore, in September and October, the young are com-
mon and adults occasional (Bean, 1903).
Season In R.I.: Five specimens were taken in the seine in Mill Cove,
Wickford, about October 26, 1909. These specimens ranged from
1 4-5 to 2 2-5 inches (45 to 60 mm).
Rate or GRowTH: Young one inch to 24 inches long taken on New
Jersey shore, early in August. Specimen 1} inches long taken at
Gravesend Bay, L. LI., September 8, 1896. (Bean, 1903).
Leiostomus xanthurus (Lacépéde). Spot; Goody.
Groa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Texas; abundant south. Recorded from
Woods Hole (Baird, 1873; Bean, 1880; Smith, 1898), where it is com-
mon during the fall and from Connecticut at Bradford (Linsley, 1844).
Common on Long Island shore (Bean).
Miacrations: This species reaches the Jersey coast at Sea Isle City in
July; north Jersey coast in August; Woods Hole in autumn, remaining
through October, until the temperature falls below 45° F.
Hasirat: Bottom fish.
Season IN R.I1.: Sometimes taken at Newport (Mr. Southwick).
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in the south in bays and inlets during Novem-
ber and December.
Foop: Small molluses and crustacea, annelids.
Rate or GrowtTH: Specimens three or four inches long are found on
south Jersey coast; Woods Hole specimens are about six inches long.
Seal found specimens 14 inches long in the lower Potomac in May,
1899, and specimens three to six inches in September (Bean, 1891).
Micropogon undulatus (Linnzus). Croaker.
Grog. Dist.: East coast of the United States from Cape Cod to Texas;
not common north of the Chesapeake. Previously recorded only once
from New England; a specimen fifteen inches long was taken on Sep-
tember 9, 1893, in a trap in Buzzards Bay (Smith, 1898). Very rare
on Long Island shore (Bean, 1903).
Season in R. I.: Specimen taken in trap in West Passage August 21,
1909.
Rate oF GRowTH: Seal found young, 1 to 14 inches, in the Potomac
134
138.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
River in May, 1889, and specimens three to six inches in September,
1889 (Bean, 1891).
Menticirrhus saxatilis (Bloch and Schneider). Kingfish; Sea-mink.
Groa. Dist.: Casco Bay to Pensacola. Common along the whole New
England shore.
Mierations: Reaches Jersey coast in April, most abundant in May.
Hasitat: Deep chanels, sandy bottoms, rarely approaching shore.
Prefers sandy bottoms. Young are found in the same localities with
young squeteague. In Narragansett Bay, apparently, it occurs
singly, and not in schools.
Season In R. 1.: First appears in May. A few are present throughout
the season until October. August 23, 1905, a specimen was taken in
Sand Blow trap; and on June 5, 1906, a half a dozen specimens were
taken in Hazard’s Quarry trap. Scattering specimens were taken in
traps all through the month of June, 1909. Two specimens were taken
in the West Passage trap in September 24, 1906, and on September 4,
1909, a specimen was taken at the Hazard’s Quarry trap. In traps off
Newport, the first kingfish in 1908 was taken May 8; in 1909, the first
was taken May 4.
ReEpRopucTION: Specimens full of spawn taken early in June in Narra-
gansett Bay. Ripe specimens are common in June at Woods Hole
(Smith, 1898).
Foop: Bottom feeders. Small crustacea, annelids, sometimes young
fishes.
RATE oF GrowTH: Several young specimens were taken in a seine east of
Quonset wharf on August 31, 1906, one 2 4-5 inches (70mm.), one
4 1-5 inches (105 mm.). These contained shrimp in stomachs. A
specimen 1 3-5 inches (41 mm.) long was taken in lobster-rearing car
at Wickford, August 4, 1908.
At Woods Hole the young one inch long appear in the middle of July on
sandy beaches. These become four or five inches long in October
(Smith, 1898). At Duncan Creek, Long Island, two specimens meas-
uring 3¢ and 4 inches were seined September 4, 1901 (Bean, 1903).
Young kingfish of the following sizes were secured by Eigenmann in
1900: July 12th, eleven specimens 1 1-5 inches long, ranging from 28
to 30 mm.; July 25, specimen 22 inches long (68.2 mm.); August 2nd,
specimen 3} inches (97 mm.); August 8th, specimen 44 inches (107
mm.); August 22, specimen 5 inches (123 mm.).
139.
140.
141.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 135
Pogonias cromis (Linnzus). Drum.
Geog. Dist.: Abundant on South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, rare north to
Provincetown. In Massachusetts, recorded from Provincetown (Goode
and Bean, 1879), Mystic River (B. 8. N. H.), Woods Hole (Smith,
1898), from Connecticut, at Stratford (Linsley, 1844), specimens taken
in Fisher’s Island Sound July 10, 1874 (Goode, 1880). Occasional on
Long Island shore(Bean, 1903).
Hasitat: Sluggish swimmers, living on the bottom.
Season In R.I.: Very rare. Reported from Narragansett Bay by R. I.
Fish Com., 1899.
Foop: Bottom-dwelling invertebrates. This fish is especially de-
structive of oysters.
Size: In Great Egg Harbor Bay, N. J., the young were found by Prof.
Baird in August. Average of adults, twenty pounds; maximum,
eighty pounds.
POMACENTRIDX. The Demoiselles.
Abudefduf saxatilis (Linneus). Pintano; Cow-pilot.
Grog. Dist.: Tropical America, on both coasts, north to Florida. Abun-
dant in West Indies.
Season in R.1.: Gill, in 1870, mentioned a specimen of this species from
Rhode Island (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1870, 120).
Foop: Free-swimming crustacea.
S1zE: Six inches.
LABRIDA. The Wrasse-Fishes.
Tautogolabrus adspersus (Walbaum). Cunner; Chogset.
Grog. Dist.: Labrador to Sandy Hook. Abundant along the whole New
England coast.
Hasitat: Very similar to that of the tautog, but cunners have a greater
tendency to live in quiet inshore waters. The very young are found
in eel-grass and‘sea-weed with young tautog. Half-grown cunners,
three to six inches, are always very common in shoal water along the
shores and especially around rocks and wharves. Larger specimens
eight inches in length and upwards, are often taken in traps in Narra-
gansett Bay and offshore waters.
Season In R.I.: Extremely abundant the year around; hibernates in the
mud during the winter. Many are often killed by the cold in extreme
winters.
136 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in June and July. Eggs are like those of
tautog, 1-26 inch in diameter and buoyant (Brice, Report, U. 8. Fish
Com., XXIII, 1897, 223.)
May 30, 1910, 11 specimens were taken in seine; these averaged 64.2 m.,
and ranged from 50 to 140mm. Several of the females (56 to 66
mm.) had large ovaries, containing transparent, nearly ripe eggs.
One male 65 mm. long had large testes with fluid milt. Probably
nearly all these specimen were about a year old.
Foop: Like that of tautog. Browses around wharves, piles, and similar
places, eating fishes, tunicates, hydroids, annelids, small crustacea,
univalve molluses; said to be an important scavenger of harbors,
feeding on all kinds of dead animal matter.
Rate oF GRowTH: Many specimens of larve and young up to 14 inches
long are taken in the lobster-rearing cars each year in July and August,
but in somewhat fewer numbers than tautog. Specimens one to two
inches long are frequently taken through August and September in
seines on the eel-grass of Wickford Harbor. At Woods Hole, about
August 1, young an inch long are observed (Smith, 1898). Cunners
from four to eight inches long are present throughout the summer and
are probably those of the second season, one year old.
142. Tautoga onitis (Linneus). Tauiog; Blackfish.
Groa. Dist.: Atlantic coast, New Brunswick to Charleston. Not com-
mon on the Maine shore, but abundant along the remainder of the
New England coast. °
Hasitat: Shallow water on exposed shores about rocks and sea-weed.
The young apparently live chiefly in the eel-grass and sea-weed along
the shores. But specimens one to two inches long are often taken in
the seine from the bottom of coves and channels, in depths of eight to
fifteen feet; such specimens are almost invariably found in the tufts
of rock-weed and brown alge scraped up from the bottom.
Season In R.I.: Abundant from April to November, but taken in the
greatest numbers from the middle of May until the middle of June.
In the winter they seek deeper water, and probably hibernate among
the rocks. A few have been taken in Rhode Island in midwinter with
lines and in lobster pots (Goode.) There are instances of their
death in great numbers during very cold winters. In February, 1857,
after a very cold season, hundreds of tons of tautog drifted on the
shores of Block Island; in 1841 the same thing occurred on the south-
ern shores of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (Goode). In 1900 the
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 137
first specimen taken at Pawtuxet was on April 26, but on April 13, 1908,
half a dozen specimens were taken in the trap at Dutch Island Harbor.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning season lasts from May to middle of July.
Eggs are »'; inch in diameter, buoyant, without an oil globule. Larvz
2.5 mm. in length at hatching (Agassiz, 1882; Brice, 1887). Probably
spawns in the third season after hatching.
Rate or GrowrH: During July and August of each year eggs, larva, and
young of all sizes up to 14 inches (34 mm.) are found in considerable
numbers in the lobster-rearing cars at the Experiment Station at
Wickford. About the same time similar specimens are taken along
the shores in seines. During the latter part of July and August, young
are very common in the eel-grass and rockweed in shallow water.
The following specimens have been taken in the seine: May 30, 1910,
15 specimens, averaging 86.3 m., ranging from 46 to 120 mm.; in
none of these were the gonads at all developed; July 20, 1908,
at Cornelius Island, three specimens—2 inches (51 mm.), 24 inches
(58 mm.), 2 2-5 inches (61 mm.); August 10, 1908, at Cornelius Island,
two specimens—3 1-5 inches (80 mm.), and 3 4-5 inches (95 mm.);
August 20, 1908, Cornelius Island, four specimens—2 inches (51 mm.),
24 inches (56 mm.), 1? inches (44mm. ), 2 inches (51 mm.); August 14,
1906, at Vial Creek, Quonset, a half-dozen specimens about one inch
long; August 15, 1907, Rabbit Island, five specimens—2-5 inches (10
mm.) to 1 2-5 inches (85 mm.), and one specimen, 3 inches (75 mm.);
August 5, 1909, Cornelius Island, 1 1-12 inches (28 mm.); August 13,
1907, Fishing Cove Gut, many specimens (16 mm.) to 1 3-5 inches
(40 mm.); August 13, 1909, Cornelius Island, two specimens—3 2-5
inches to 3 3-5 inches; September 3, 1909, 9 specimens, average 46
mm., ranging from 35 m. to 61 m.
On account of the fact that specimens of all sizes are taken in the seine
and traps during the latter part of the summer, the later rate of growth
is difficult to determine without securing the average of a large number
of specimens at different times. But it seems probable that specimens
from three to six inches taken in the early part of the summer, and speci-
mens from eight to twelve inches taken in the latter part of the summer
are tautog of the second season, 7. e., a year old. August 19, 1907,
specimen eight inches taken in the seine in Fishing Cove Gut.
EPHIPPID. The Angel-Fishes.
148. Chetodipterus faber (Broussonet). Spadefish; Angel-fish; Moon-fish.
GroGc. Dist.: Cape Cod to Rio Janeiro, very abundant on our south
18
138
144.
145.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Atlantic coast. In New England, recorded only from Woods Hole
(Smith, 1898) and Narragansett Bay. It has been taken at the east
end of Long Island (Mitchill, 1815; De Kay, 1842).
Hasitat: On the Gulf coast it frequents wharves, rock piles, and wrecks.
It forms in large schools in October and November preparatory to
leaving the coast.
Season 1n R.I.: Very rare. One specimen taken in Narragansett Bay
is in the possession of the Commission.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns from June to August; the eggs are buoyant,
1-20 inch in diameter, have an oil globule, and hatch in 24 hours in
water 78° (Brice, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XXIII, 1897, 247).
Spawns in Chesapeake in June and July (Ryder, Report, U.S. Fish
Com., XIII, 1885, 521). Larva measures 1-10 inch long (2.5 mm.)
when newly hatched.
Rate oF GrowtH: All specimens recorded from Narragansett Bay and
Woods Hole are about 16 or 18 inches in length. The species reaches
a length of 2 or 3 feet. Fifty-three hours after hatching, the larva is
4 inch (4 mm.) long. Specimens 4 to 1} inches taken in Chesapeake
Bay. ' ‘
CHATODONTID. The Butterfly Fishes.
Cheetodon ocellatus (Bloch). Parché.
GeroG. Dist.: Common at West Indies, the young straying northward to
New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. In New England, recorded
only from Woods Hole (Smith, 1898) and Newport. At Woods Hole
a few are taken nearly every year in October and November. Rare on
Long Island.
Season 1n R. I.: Gill describes a young specimen one inch long from
Newport. (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1861, 99.) A specimen
from Newport is referred to by Cope (1870).
Rate or GrowtH: A specimen of this species 1} inches long was seined
at’ Beesley’s Point, N. J., September 2nd. A specimen about two
inches long was taken near Clam Pond Cove, L. I., October 17, 1898.
BALISTID®. The Trigger-Fishes.
Balistes carolinensis (Gmelin). Trigger-fish; Leather-jacket.
Gro. Dist.: Tropical parts of the Atlantic north in the Gulf Stream to
England and Nova Scotia. Specimen taken on Banquereau Banks,
50 miles southeast of Canso (Cornish, 1907). In Massachusetts it has
been recorded from Squam River, Annisquam (B. 8. N. H.), New
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 139
Bedford (Luce, 1883), Woods Hole (Smith, 1898). Occasional on
Long Island shore (De Kay, 1842; Bean, 1903).
Season in R.1I.: Somewhat rare, but generally a few are taken each year.
One specimen, taken in a trap in the West Passage, Narragansett Bay,
August 1, 1905, and another October 9, 1905, with tautog, near the
north end of Conanicut Island. Specimen from Newport in the U.S.
National Museum (Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., 1880, 77). This species
is reported by Smith (1898) to be more rare at Woods Hole than the
related species B. vetula (the Bluestriped Trigger-fish), but the latter
species has never been reported from Rhode Island waters, while
B. carolinensis is taken occasionally each year.
REPRODUCTION: Supposed to spawn in deep water.
Foop: Molluses, crustacea. The specimen 17 inches long, referred to
above, had two squids in its stomach.
Size: One foot to eighteen inches.
146. Balistes forcipatus (Gmelin). Powell’s Filefish.
Grog. Dist.: Africa. Occasionally straying to American coasts.
This species has been identified with Balistes powelli (Jordan and Ever-
mann, Fishes of North America, Bull. 47, U.S. Nat. Mus., 1898, p. 1702).
Only one specimen has ever been recorded from northern waters;
this was a young individual taken in September, 1867, at Newport, by
Samuel Powell and described by Cope. (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,
1870, 120.)
MONACANTHIDA. The Filefishes.
147. Monacanthus hispidus (Linnzus). Foolish; Filefish.
Groa. Dist.: Lynn, Massachusetts, to Cuba, through the West Indies to
Brazil. In Massachusetts this species is recorded from several places
along the coast north to Lynn (Kendall, 1908), in Connecticut, reported
from Stonington (Linsley, 1844). Rather common on the Long Island
shore (Bean, 1903).
Season In R.I.: A few specimens taken from Rhode Island waters, the
maximum size being five or six inches A specimen from Newport in
the U.S. National Museum. (Proc., U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 76.)
ReEpropuction: Ryder obtained ripe eggs of this species from females
captured in pound nets near Cherrystone, Virginia, about the middle
of July, 1880. The eggs are quite small and measure 1-36 inch (.7 mm.)
in diameter. They are very adhesive and adhere to foreign objects;
pale green in color, and have a number of small oil globules. (Ryder,
Report, U.S. Fish Com., XIII, 1885, 511.)
140
148.
149.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Foop: Small crustacea, annelids, lamellibranchs, small gasteropods.
Rate or GRowTH: Adults, ten inches; only the young found in the
north. Specimens at Woods Hole range from one to three inches.
Ceratacanthus schoepfii (Walbaum). Foolfish; Filefish.
Geog. Dist.: Maine, to Florida and Texas. Recorded from Portland,
Maine (Storer); from several localities on the Massachusetts shore
(Kendall, 1908); and in Connecticut, from Long Island Sound, Strat-
ford, and Stonington (Linsley, 1844). Common on Long Island shore
(Bean, 1903).
Season in R. I.: Occasionally taken in August and September. Speci-
men from Newport in the U. 8. National Museum. (Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., 1880, 76.) Four taken in traps in Narragansett Bay during
August, 1905. October 9, 1905, a young specimen taken in a trap at
Dutch Island, and August 23, 1905, a specimen was taken in a trap
near the north end of Conanicut Island.
Repropuction: Probably spawns in mid-ocean (Goode).
Foop: Small crustacea, jelly-fishes, ctenophores, hydroids.
Rate oF GRowTH: One specimen, four inches long, taken in a trap at
Goose Neck, near Wickford, October 9, 1905. Young, one to four
inches long, common under gulfweed in summer. Young rather
common at Gravesend Bay, Long Island, from August to November;
none over nine inches long (Bean, 1903). At Woods Hole, specimens
from three to eighteen inches long are common in August and Sep-
tember (Smith, 1898). Adults reach a length of 24 inches.
OSTRACIID. The Trunkfishes.
Lactophrys trigonus (Linneus). Trunkfish; Shell-fish.
Groa. Dist.: West Indies north to Woods Hole. Reported from
Marthas Vineyard (Storer, 1839); Holmes Hole (B. 8. N. H.); Woods
Hole (Smith, 1898). Recorded once on Long Island (Bean, 1903).
Hapitat: The young at Woods Hole mentioned by Dr. Smith may be
seen on quiet days “singly or in scattered bodies, in the eel-grass
about the wharves. They are taken under the gulf weed, in the surface
tow-nets and in shore seines.”’
Season 1n R. I.: Recorded from Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com.,
1899).
Rate OF GROowTH: Young specimens + to 1 inch long are common from
July to October at Woods Hole in eel-grass and around wharves
(Smith). At Gravesend Bay a specimen 3-inch long was found in
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 141
August, 1897 (Bean, 1903). Specimens an inch to a foot long are
taken at the Bermudas. (Goode, 1879.)
TETRAODONTID. The Trunkfishes.
150. Lagocephalus levigatus (Linneus). Smooth Puffer; Puffer.
Geoa. Dist.: Cope Cod to Brazil. Taken at Nantucket (Storer, 1842);
Woods Hole (Baird, 1873); Buzzards Bay (Smith, 1898); in Long Island
Sound (Linsley, 1844). Occasional on Long Island shore. (Bean, 1903).
Season In R.I.: Somewhat rare. One specimen taken in Narragansett
Bay, July 22, 1887. Three were taken in 1900, the largest weighing
ten pounds, caught October 4 at Tiverton; one at Newport, collected
by J. M. K. Southwick, and a third taken in a purse-net near Point
Judith, September 28. A specimen, presented to the Commission by
C. Abbott Davis, was caught by A. A. Wilbur, East Greenwich, August
25, 1906. This specimen had very large ovaries with ripe or nearly
ripe eggs, but nearly spent.
ReEpropuctTion: Said to breed near Pensacola in June and July.
RATE OF GROWTH: Specimen 4% inches long taken in West Passage trap
in early August, 1905. This is an interesting specimen in view of the
fact that Smith says that those specimens taken at Woods Hole are all
about eleven or twelve inches long, small ones never being observed.
Adults reaches a length of two feet.
151. Spheroides maculatus (Bloch and Sneider). Swellfish; Puffer.
Geoa. Disr.: Atlantic coast of United States, from Casco Bay to Florida.
Very common along the southern New England shore. Appear at
Woods Hole in latter part of May (Bumpus, 1898).
SEASON IN R. I.: Very common from May to October. May 29, 1905,
Brenton’s Reef trap, a specimen was taken. Common in seine on
Quonset shore and Willow Beach, and occasionally on Cornelius
Island; mostly young specimens taken on similar sandy shores.
Adults often taken in the fish-traps in the West Passage, especially at
Dutch Island Harbor.
Repropuction: Spawns from June first to tenth (Smith).
Foop: Bottom invertebrates; small crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, mollusca,
crepidule, annelids.
Rate or GRowtH: ‘Young specimens are often taken in August in rearing
cars of the lobster plant at Wickford Experiment Station: Specimen
x inch (3 mm.) long taken July 9, 1908; specimen } inch (4 mm.) long
taken about July 15, 1908; specimen 2-5-inch (10 mm.) long taken
142
152.
155.
154.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
August 5, 1909; two specimens 3-5 inch (16.5 mm. and 18 mm.) long
taken August 3, 1908. September 2, 1909, seine, Cornelius Island, 4
specimens ranging from 16 to 70 mm.
From July to October 15th, young 4 inch to 1 inch long are very abundant
at Woods Hole on sandy beaches. Many young specimens, an inch
long and upwards, are taken in the seines on the shady beaches through
July and August. The adult reaches a length of ten inches.
Spheroides testudineus (Linnzus).
Groa. Dist.: West Indies north to Newport. Not recorded from New
York waters.
Season In R.1.: Has been taken at Newport. (Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci., Phila., 1870, 120.)
Size: Reaches a length of seven or eight inches.
Spheroides trichocephalus (Cope).
This species is known only from Cope’s description of a small specimen
four inches long taken by Mr. Samuel Powell in the Gulf Stream off
Newport. Possibly the young of Spheroides pachygaster. (Cope, Proce.
Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1870, 120.)
DIODONTID4. The Porcupine-Fishes.
Chilomycterus schoepfii (Walbaum). Porcupine-fish; Swell-toad;
Puffer.
Groa. Dist.: Cape Cod to Florida, abundant south in shallow water. In
Massachusetts, reported in Massachusetts Bay (B. 8S. N. H.), Woods
Hole (Baird, 1873, Smith, 1898); in Connectiuct (Ayres, 1843), at
Stratford, at New Haven (Linsley, 1844), Noank (Bean, 1880). Occa-
sional on Long Island coast (Bean, 1903).
Spason 1n R. I.: Two specimens from Rhode Island are in the U. 8.
National Museum; one was taken at Newport (Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus.,
1880, 75); the other was taken at Watch Hill by the U. 8. Fish Com-
mission, September 18, 1874. (Bull. U. 8. Nat. Mus., 1879, 24.) In
1903, Mr. Fowler, of Wickford, took a specimen in a dredge in Narra-
gansett Bay, opposite Hamilton.
Foop: Crustacea, molluscs.
Rare or GRowrH: Specimen three inches long seined at Longport, N. J.
August 29, 1887 (Bean, 1903); specimens from 24 to 5 inches long at
Wods Hole, in the latter part of September and October (Smith,
1898). Adults reach a length of six to ten inches.
155.
156.
157.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 143
MOLID4®. The Head-Fishes.
Mola mola (Linnzus). Sunfish.
Gro. Dist.: Tropical seas, north to San Francisco, Portland, Maine,
and England. Taken off Portland, Maine (U. 8. Nat. Mus., 1875),
from many places along the Massachusetts shore (Kendall, 1908),
from Connecticut, at Stonington (Linsley, 1844), and Noank (Goode,
1879). Specimen recorded from New York Bay by Mitchill (1815)
and De Kay (1842).
Hasirtat: Surface of the open water.
Season IN R.JI.: Occasionally taken at Block Island in late summer.
Repropuction: “The eggs of Mola are very probably pelagic, the larve
having the same habit.” (Ryder, Report U.S. Fish Com., XII, 1884,
1027; Ryder, On the Development of the Mola, Science, IV, 1884, 93.)
Foop: Fishes, crustacea, ctenophores, jelly-fishes.
SizE: Largest on record was taken at California: eight feet, two inches;
weighing 1,800 pounds. Young, two inches long, described by Put-
nam (Amer. Nat. IV, 1874, 629). See also Ehrenbaum, Nordisches
Plankton, 10, 1909, 314.
SCORPAENIDAE. The Rock-Fishes.
Helicolenus dactylopterus (De la Roche).
Greoa. Dist.: Narragansett Bay and Chesapeake Bay. Common in deep
water in the Mediterranean.
Hasitat: On rocky bottoms at considerable depths (100 to 250 fathoms).
Season In R. I.: First discovered in America in 1880 off Narragansett.
Bay, by the “Fish Hawk.” (Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology,
1896, 249.)
Repropuction: In the Mediterranean, females full of eggs have been
observed in the summer (Risso, quoted by Bean, 1903).
SizE: Almost afoot in length. The “Challenger” secured two specimens
5 and 9 mm. long, April 26, 1876, off St. Vincent, Cape De Verde
Islands.
COTTIDA. The Sculpins.
Myoxocephalus zeneus (Mitchill). Little Sculpin; Grubby.
Groa. Dist.: Bay of Fundy to New Jersey. Common on coast of
southern New England and New York.
Season IN R. I.: Common throughout the year. Specimen three inches
long taken in seine at Willow Beach near Wickford, July 17, 1905.
144 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
August 14, 1906, three specimens were taken in seine at Sauga Point,
and two specimens were taken in a seine on August 8, 1906, at Cornelius
Island.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in winter and spring; the eggs at that time
may be seen sticking to nets and seaweed.
Foop: Bottom invertebrates; annelids, copepods, shrimp, young floun-
ders.
Size: Maximum, six to eight inches.
158. Myoxocephalus groenlandicus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Daddy
Sculpin; Sculpin.
Grog. Dist.: New York to Greenland. Common on whole New England
coast.
Season IN R.I.: Taken in winter from October to March, but not so
common as the next species. Not often found in Narragansett Bay.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in November and December. In the North
Sea this species spawns from December to February; the eggs are laid
in clumps at moderate depths and are 1-12 inch (1.5 to mm.) in diame-
ter, and have numerous small globules. The egg hatches in about
five weeks, when the larva is about 4 inch long (7.4 to 8.6 mm.) The
eggs are laid in a nest made from sea-weed and pebbles and are guarded
by the male.
Foop: Fishes, crustacea, worms.
Size: Maximum, 25 inches.
REFERENCES:
1882: Agassiz, Proc. Amer: Acad. XVII, 285.
1890: McInrosH AND Princk, Trans. Roy Soc., Edinburgh, 35, 675.
1896: McInvosu, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 14, 181.
1897: McInrosH anD MasreRMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 122.
1905: Git, Smithsonian Mise. Coll., XLVII, 348.
1905: Enrenpaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 55.
159. Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus (Mitchill). Eighteen-spined Scul-
pin; Sculpin.
Groa. Dist.: Labrador to Virginia, common about Cape Cod.
Season 1N R. I.: Common in winter from October to April. In Narra-
gansett Bay often taken in winter in beam-trawls with flatfish. Much
more common in Narragansett Bay than M.groenlandicus. April 30,
1906, a specimen was taken in Sand Blow trap, Conanicut Island, and
October 29, 1905, a specimen was taken in Dutch Island trap.
160.
161.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 145
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in November and December (Smith, 1898).
A clump of eggs, probably of this species, was taken in beam-trawl just
south of Plum Beach Light, December 22, 1908.
Size: About a foot long.
Hemitripterus americanus (Gmelin). Sea-raven; Red Sculpin.
Geoa. Dist.: Atlantic coast, New York to Labrador.
Season 1n R. I.: Common from September through the winter to May.
Specimen taken in Dutch Island trap May 1, 1909. Two specimens
from Newport are in the U. 8. National Museum. (Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., 1880, 86.) October 9, 1905, a specimen taken north end of
Conanicut Island. Several specimens from 8 to 20 inches long in
beam trawl south of Plum Beach Light, December 22, 1908. May
28, 1906, a specimen taken with scup off Sakonnet (Mr. Fearney, of
Providence).
Hasitat: Bottom fish in deep water in summer, moving in toward the
shore in winter. Specimen taken in seine with menhaden two miles
from shore in October, 1895 (Smith, 1895).
Repropuction: Spawns in November. Eggs are 5-32 inch in diameter,
not buoyant, and adhere in masses (Bean, 1903). Large specimen
with Tipe eggs taken in beam-trawl south of Plum Beach Light, De-
cember 22, 1908. (See Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 1905, 53.)
Foop: All bottoms invertabrates; molluscs, crustacea, sea urchins,
worms; also fishes. This species is a useful scavenger. Specimen
taken April 13, 1908, in trap at Dutch Island Harbor, had a cunner
five inches long in its stomach.
Size: Two feet.
AGONID 2.
Aspidophoroides monopterygius (Bloch). Sea poacher; Alligator fish.
Geog. Dist.: From Greenland to Rhode Island, abundant in Massa-
chusetts Bay and northward. This species frequently obtained from
the stomach of the cod and haddock.
Hasitat: Cold water at moderate depths.
Season In R. I.: In 1874 the head of a specimen of this species was
dredged up on the Pecten Ground off Watch Hill (Goode and Bean,
1879).
Sizz: Reaches a length of six inches.
19
146
162.
163.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
CYCLOPTERIDA. The Lump-Suckers.
Cyclopterus lumpus (Linneus). Lumpfish.
Grog. Dist.: North Atlantic, south to France and Long Island. Com-
mon along the whole New England coast (Kendall, 1908). Found
at Gravesend Bay in May (Bean, 1903).
Season 1n R.I.: Fairly common from March to June. Specimen from
Newport in the U.S. National Museum. (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880,
83). Often taken in fyke nets with flatfish.
Hasitat: Rocky shores.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning season from January to March or April, near
the shore. ‘‘The female then retires to deep water, leaving the male
to watch the eggs which hatch among seaweed and eelgrass.” (Gar-
man, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. 14, 1892, 21; also McIntosh, 1896.)
Eggs are 1-10 inch in diameter (2.2 to 2.6 mm). Length of larve on
hatching is from 1-5 to + inch (5.8 to 7.4 mm).
Foop: Ctenophores, small jelly-fishes.
Rate or GRowTH: The young specimens are often taken in the summer
under drifting sea-weed. Young specimens caught in dip net May 30th,
under floating rock-weed in Narragansett Bay. Adults sometimes
reach twenty inches, but are generally less. In British waters, young
from 11 to 30 mm. (4 to 1 1-5 inches) are found in July? In the second
summer after hatching the following are found: 2} inches, July Ist;
54 inches in July; 7 inches in August; 6 1-16 inches in December;
these latter are 18 or 19 months old (McIntosh, 1896).
REFERENCES:
1882: AGassiz, Proc. Amer. Acad., XVII, 286.
1887: CUNNINGHAM, Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, XX XIII, 104.
1890: McInTosH AND Princk, Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, XXXYV.
1896: McInTosu, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 14, 173.
1897: McInrosH AND MastTERMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 181.
1905: ExrensAumM, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 116.
LIPARIDID®. The Sea-Snails.
Liparis liparis (Linneus). Sea-snail; Sucker.
Groc. Dist.: North Atlantic on both shores, north to Spitzbergen, south
to Connecticut and France. Most abundant in North Europe.
Hasitat: Commensual, living within the shells of large scallops and
often in company with a small crab.
Sprason In R.1.: In the U.S. National Museum is a specimen taken by
164.
165.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 147
the U §. Fish Commission at Watch Hill Reef, August, 1874. Small
specimens taken September, 1874, off Block Island, from the shell of a
large species of scallop, Pecten tenuicostatus. (Goode, Nat. Hist. of
Aquatic Animals, 234.) Common in winter on rocky bottoms
(Smith). i
Repropuction: Found full of spawn in December and January (Smith).
Spawning season from November to February (Ehrenbaum). Eggs
1-11 inch (1.5 mm.) in diameter. The larve on hatching are 1-5 inch
long (5.44 mm.). (For description of the eggs and young, and _ biblio-
graphy, see Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 1905, 113; Mc-
Intosh and Masterman, British Marine Food Fishes, 1897, 190.)
Foop: Amphipods and shrimp have been found in the stomach (Bean
1903).
Size: Five inches.
TRIGLID. The Gurnards.
Prionotus carolinus (Linnzus). Sea-robin; Common Gurnard.
Geroa. Dist.: Casco Bay to South Carolina. Rare north to Cape Cod.
In 1896, between July 4th and 14th, over twenty-five specimens were
taken in Casco Bay, Maine. At Woods Hole, in 1898, a thousand or
more fish representing this species and P. strigatus appeared in a trap
on May 13. ,Specimens examined on the 16th were not ripe, though
the ovaries were large (Bumpus, 1898).
Season IN R. I.: Appears in April and is common until October. Two
specimens from Newport in the U.S. National Museum. In 1906 the
first specimens off Newport were taken April 13; April 30, three speci-
mens were taken in the Dutch Island Harbor trap. In 1907, the first
specimens from Newport were reported May 9; in 1908 they were
first taken April 25.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in June.
Foop: Fishes; one specimen had four winter flounders in the stomach.
Also young clams, squids, molluses, shrimp, annelids.
Size: Fourteen inches.
Prionotus strigatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Sea-robin; Sculpin.
Gro. Dist.: Atlantic coast, Cape Cod to Virginia. Common on south-
ern shore of New England.
Season In R.I.: This species does not appear to be common in Narra-
gansett Bay. Occasionally taken in traps from June to October.
Two specimens from Newport in U. 8. National Museum. September
148 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
17, 1906, a specimen was taken in Sand Blow trap, on Conanicut
Island, and on September 24, 1906, another one was taken in a West
Passage trap.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in summer (Smith).
Rate or GrowtH: At Woods Hole, young ? inch long and upwards are
very common throughout the summer; by fall they have reached a
length of four inches (Smith, 1898). Adults reach a length of eighteen
inches.
CEPHALACANTHIDA. The Flying Gurnard.
166. Cephalacanthus volitans (Linneus). Flying Robin; Flying Gurnard.
Groa. Dist.: Atlantic Ocean, on both coasts north to Maine. A few
taken every year at Woods Hole (Smith, 1898). Recorded from
Maine (Holmes, 1862), from Woods Hole and vicinity (Storer, 1853;
Baird, 1873; Bean, 1880; Smith, 1898, and from Long Island Sound
(Linsley, 1844). Uncommon on shore of Long Island (Bean, 1903).
Srason In R. I.: Reported from Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com.,
1899).
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in the spring. Eggs and larve are pelagic
(Gill, Report, Smithsonian Inst., 1904, 512).
Foop: Small fishes; crustaceans, like shrimp, prawns, and small crabs.
Rate oF GRowtH: Young 4 to 2 inches; differ much from the adult, and
were formerly thought to belong to a different genus. Specimens
24, 64, and 7 7-10 inches in length were taken at Great Egg Harbor
Bay in September, 1887. Adults reach a length of twelve inches.
ECHENEIDID.%. The Remoras.
167. Echeneis naucrates (Linneus). Shark Sucker; Remora.
Groc. Dist.: Warm seas, universally distributed, north to Salem, Massa-
chusetts coast (Kendall, 1908), and from Long Island Sound (Linsley
1844). Not uncommon on the shore of long Island (Bean, 1903).
Hasitat: Very common in the tropics, attached to turtles or any large
fish.
Season 1n R.I.: In'the warmer part of the summer they are occasionally
found swimming around in the traps or attached to almost any fish.
Taken in Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com., 1899); also at Newport
(Bean, 1880). Not as common as the next species.
Foop: Carnivorous, feeding on smaller fishes.
Size: Mitchill (1815) describes a specimen 31 inches long.
168.
169.
170.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 149
Echeneis naucrateoides (Zuieuw). Pilot-sucker.
Grog. Dist.: Warm seas north to the Merrimac River. Reported from
Hyannis (Storer, 1842), Collins Cove, mouth of Merrimac River (?)
(Goode and Bean, 1879), Woods Hole (Baird, 1873; Smith, 1898).
Srason in R.1.: Occasionally taken in Narragansett Bay from June to
October. More common than H. naucrates. Specimens from New-
port in U.S. National Museum (Proc. U.S. Nat., 1880, 102). One
taken in a trap in Dutch Island Harbor, October 2, 1905.
Rhombochirus osteochir (Cuvier). Spearfish remora.
Grog. Dist.: West Indies, north to Cape Cod. Rare. Reported at
Woods Hole (Baird, 1873; Smith, 1898).
Hasitat: Parasitic on spearfish (J'etrapturus).
Season In R.I.: Very rare. Reported by R. I. Fish Com., 1899.
BATRACHOIDID4. The Toadfishes.
Opanus tau. (Linneus). Toadfish; Toad-grunter.
Geog. Dist.: Maine to Cuba.
Hasitat: Among rocks and weeds close to the shore; prefers tempera-
ture of 50° to 90° F.
Season in R. I.: Common throughout the year in shallow water under
stones and eel-grass.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in May and June, the eggs being attached to
the under sides of stones and other submerged objects. The insides
of cans, old shoes, and large shells are also favorite places for the
attachment of the eggs. The eggs are very large, 1-5 inch (5 mm.) in
diameter; they hatch in about 20 days (June 21 to July 15 and 17),
when the larva is about } inch (5 to 6 mm.) in length. The yolk
sac remains fixed to its attachment about four weeks (June 20th to
July 22d, in one case, July 16 to August 19 in another case),
until it becomes nearly absorbed, when the fish swims free. The
larva is then about 3-5 inch (15 to 16 mm.) in length.
In June and July eggs and larve are frequently found in coves and along
muddy and grassy shores, guarded by the male.
Foop: Young fishes and all kinds of bettom invertebrates.
Rate oF GrowTH: On July 17, 56 young toadfish, measuring about 3-5
inch (15 to 17 mm.), which had been raised from the eggs in a small
car, were transferred to a filter car. The following table of individual
and average measurements shows their rate of growth:
150 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Sumy es ate RT LDTORIICORE MSE ee tee 56 specimens.
aly aa O ator hen eee o DO Oy | ah ee ce RN een oe area
July 31. ... DOs Bohl Rey isibatige co alias Bite ol cee Seen See
Aeuist. lr crs eee ae Nee UE cana a ORO te dic Sita BEG aie ola
Ae st Wal atietaeie yee DOGO E | Riek tir. te hasty 2, Steen aero rk anatome
AUT OUSt ILA Dey cerach tae PAS) AAU ER AMR ren Shatin Pe heya Coe
Aumeust! Qi oo ie tee LC USS ar eet Sof ta 4 39 specimens.
Young specimens are taken in the seine on the eel-grass at all times
of the summer. ‘The following specimens were seined on Cornelius
Island, Wickford. May 30, 1910, specimens 75 and 78 mm.
long. August 30, 1908, specimen 1 1-5 inches (30 mm,) long;
August 20, 1908, two specimens 2 4-5 inches long (72 mm); August
10, 1908, specimen 4 3-5 inches (115 mm.) long. Specimens two to
four inches long are often dredged up with oysters in winter. Goode
found at Noank, Connecticut, numerous eggs on stones in water about
two feet in depth on July 14th; on July 21st fishes 4 inch long were
plenty; on September 1, the average was one inch; he considered that
toadfishes of three or four inches long were in their second year, and
that maturity was reached in the third or fourth year. Adult reaches
fifteen inches in length.
REFERENCES:
1867: Storer, Hist. Fishes, Mass., 105.
1882: Agassiz, Proc. Amer. Acad., XVII, 279.
‘ 1886: RypsrR, Buu. U.S. Fish Com., VI, 4.
1890: Ryper, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 42, p. 407.
1891: Cuxapp, Jour. Morph., V, 494.
1907: Gruu, Life History of the Toadfishes, Smithsonian Mise. Coll.,
48, p. 388.
1908: GuparR, Habits and Life History of the Toadfish, Bull. Bu-
reau of Fisheries, XX VIII, 1908, 1073.
BLENNIID4. The Blennies.
171. Pholis gunnellus (Linneus). Butter-jfish; Rock Eel.
Groa. Dist.: North Atlantic, Labrador to New York, Norway to France.
Common from Woods Hole northward. In Connecticut, reported
from Bridgeport and Stonington (Linsley, 1844). Rare in New York
waters (Bean, 1903).
Hasirat: Rocky shores among alge; in deep water in winter.
Season 1x R. I.: Occurring rarely in winter. Probably present in deep
water throughout the year.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 151
Repropuction: Eggs, probably of this species, were taken among
the oyster shells in Wickford Harbor the last of December, 1909.
Eggs are about 4 inch (2 mm.) in diameter, clear and glassy, with an
oil globule; they are laid from November to January, and hatch a
month or six weeks afterward. The larva when hatched is 2-5 inches
in length (9 mm.). The yolk is absorbed in specimens a little over
4 inch in length (13 to 14 mm.). ;
Rate or GrowrH: Two specimens about four inches long (98 and 108
mm.) were taken among the oyster shells in Wickford Harbor, the last
of December, 1909. The adult reaches a length of twelve inches.
REFERENCES:
1890: McIntTosH anp Prince, Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, X XV, 670.
1891: MclInrosu, Report‘ Fisheries Board of Scotland, 9, 326.
1893: Hott, Sci. Trans. Roy. Soc., Dublin, V, 42.
1897: McInrosH anp MasTERMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 210.
1905: ExRENBAUM, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 87.
172. Ulvaria subbifurcata (Storer). Radiated shanny.
Groa. Dist.: Very rare in the North Atlantic, south to Newport. This
species was taken by U. 8. Fish Commission at Grand Manan and
Halifax, and by Prof. Verrill off Anticosti (Bean, 1903). In New
England, it was taken by Storer at Nahant (1839 and 1867). On the
Maine coast it has been taken at Casco Bay (1874), and off Manticus
(1906) (Kendall, 1908). It has been recorded from New York waters.
Hasitat: Cornish (1907) reports four specimens from Canso, one taken
on the beach under stones, two were dredged in six to ten fathoms of
water, and the fourth taken in a beam-trawl in the Bay in thirty
fathoms of water.
Season In R.I.: A single specimen was obtained off the mouth of New-
port Harbor (Goode, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 3, 1886, 477.)
Size: This species reaches a length of about six inches.
CRYPTACANTHODID®. The Wry-mouths.
173. Cryptacanthodes maculatus (Storer). Wry-mouth; Ghost-fish.
Grog. Dist.: Recorded from Labrador to Long Island Sound. Rarely
on New England coast from Eastport, Maine (Kendall, 1893) to
Bridgeport, Connecticut (Linsley, 1844). At Woods Hole a specimen
eighteen inches long was taken on December 18, 1896, in a fyke net
152
174.
175.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
in Great Harbor (Smith, 1898). There is an albino form of this fish,
of which four specimens were found prior to 1879. (Bean, 1903).
Season IN R.I.: Specimen from Rhode Island (Goode, 1879).
Size: Twenty-four inches.
ANARHICHADIDA. The Wolf-Fishes.
Anarhichas lupus (Linneus). Wolfj-fish; Catfish.
Groa. Dist.: North Atlantic south to Long Island and France. Found
on coast of Maine and Massachusetts (Kendall, 1908). Frequent in
deep waters of Massachusetts Bay (Bean, 1903).
Season in R.I.: In the U. 8S. National Museum is a cast of a specimen
taken by the U. 8. Fish Commission at Coxswain’s Lodge, R. I., July
25, 1875 (Bull. U. 8. Nat. Mus., 1879, 32). Reported from Narragan-
sett Bay by R. I. Fish Com., 1899.
Repropuction: The spawning season is from November to January.
The yellowish, opaque eggs are laid in masses on the bottom. They
are the largest known marine fish eggs, their diameter being about
1 inch (5.5 to6mm.). They have a large oil globule. The larva on
hatching is about 4 inch long (12 mm.). The yolk sac is absorbed in
4 months (middle of May), when the fish is # inch long (17 to 20 mm.).
(Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 1905, 92; McIntosh and Mas-
terman, British Marine Food Fishes, 1897, 200; McIntosh and Prince,
Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, X XV, 1890, 874.)
RatTE OF GROWTH: Several specimens thirty inches long were taken in
65 fathoms south of Rhode Island. (Goode, 1880.)
ZOARCIDA. The Eel-Pouts.
Zoarces anguillaris (Peck). Hel-Pout; Sea-Pout; Ling.
Groa. Dist.: Delaware to Labrador. Common north of Cape Cod;
caught in large numbers with cod off Sandy Hook (Bean, 1903).
Hasitrat: Deep water.
Season In R.1I.: Taken frequently in November and December in beam-
trawls with flatfish, especially in the deep water of the East Passage
of Narragansett Bay. Also taken at Block Island. It is probably
present the year round in deep off-shore waters.
Repropuction: The nearly related European species, Z. viviparus, pro-
duces its young alive during the winter months of December, January,
and February. The young are then about two inches long (40 to 50
176.
177.
178.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 153
mm.); they are not pelagic, but retire to the bottom among the stones
and sea-weeds (Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 1909, 310).
SizzE: Twenty inches, and up to three feet.
Lycodes reticulatus (Reinhardt). Hel-Pout.
Groc. Dist.: North Atlantic, south to Narragansett Bay. Reported
from Vineyard Sound (Goode and Vean, 1896, Smith, 1898).
Hasitrat: Deep water, 17 to 140 fathoms.
Season IN R.I.: The National Museum contains two specimens taken by
the “Fish Hawk,” in Narragansett Bay, in 17 fathoms, September,
1880 (Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, 1896, 305).
Size: Fourteen inches.
Lycenchelys verrillii. (Goode and Bean).
Geog. Dist.: Off Massachusetts in very deep water. Reported in the
deep water of Massachusetts Bay (Goode and Bean, 1879).
Season 1n R. I.: Specimen at Boston Society of Natural History, sup-
posed to have been taken at Newport.
Size: Dwarf species of very small size.
\
MERLUCCIID. The Hakes.
Merluccius bilinearis (Mitchill). Silver Hake; Whiting; Frost-fish.
Groa. Dist.: Coast of New England, northward to Straits of Belle Isle;
south in deep water to the Bahamas.
SEASON IN R.I.: June 5, 1906, a few specimens were taken at Hazard’s
Quarry trap. June, 1907, this species was abundant until the latter
part of the month. This season was particularly cold, which explains
their abundance at a date much later than usual.
Repropuction: In September and October, 1880, while exploring the
ocean bottom off Newport and at the edge of the Gulf Stream, immense
numbers of the young of this species, from 4 to 3 inches in length,
were taken on the bottom, in water 150 to 487 fathoms deep; with
them were taken many adults, 12 to 18 inches in length, apparently
in the act of spawning, some with ripe or nearly ripe ova, others
which were evidently spent fish. The largest of these young must
have been hatched from eggs shed in July.
Thus the spawning season must be somewhat extended, lasting well into
the fall. In September an adult taken at Halifax, N.S8., was full of ©
20
154
179.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
nearly ripe spawn (Goode, Nat. Hist. of Aquatic Animals, 242, and
Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 337).
Foop: This species is a fish of prey, coming to the surface to capture
herring and other small fishes. Also feeds upon crabs and small
crustacea.
Rate or GRowTH: Young specimens 24 inches long are seined about
Woods Hole in the fall (Smith, 1898).
GADID. The Cods.
Pollachius virens (Linnzus). Pollock.
Groa. Dist.: North Atlantic, south on both coasts to New Jersey and
France.
Mrieration: Like the cod, appearing in New England shore waters in
cool weather, leaving when temperature reaches 60° or 65° F. Reach
Nantucket early in April.
Season IN R.I.: Not common in Narragansett Bay. A large run arrives
in offshore waters in the middle of May, probably leaving in June.
Comes in again in September and October and are present through
the winter. A small specimen, fourteen inches long, taken September
11, 1905, Dutch Island Harbor. On May 15, 1905, and during the
few following days, a large run of pollock took place all along the shore
from Brenton’s Reef to Sakonnet. This was the largest run for years
and made havoc among the scup schools.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning takes place in November and December in
the open water. The eggs are buoyant, have no oil globule, and are
1-22 inch (1.03 to 1.22 mm.) in diameter. They hatch in six days in
water of 49°; the yolk sac is absorbed in five days. The newly hatched
larva is + inch (3.4 to 3.8 mm.) in length.
Hasirat: Like the cod; a bottom and deep-water fish. But it is more
often seen on the surface than the cod, congregating in large schools
which roam from place to place preying on fishes of all sorts.
Foop: Fishes of all kinds; seup, young codfish.
Rate or GrowrH: In April, many young six or eight inches long are
present. April 16, 1906, two specimens were taken in Dutch Island
trap that were six inches long. One specimen was taken in the same
trap on April 30, 1906. Schools of young at Woods Hole in April,
1 to 14 inches long; these are four inches long in June. In September
there is a run of pollock seven or eight inches long.
180.
181.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 155
REFERENCES:
1892: MclInrosu, Reports, Fishery Board, Scotland, 10, 287.
1893: McInrosu, ibid. 11, 242.
1894: MclInrvosu, ibid. 12, 218.
1897: Brice, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XXIII, 222.
1897: McInrosH AND MasTeRMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 266.
1909: Exrensaum, Nordishes Plankton, 10, 244.
Microgadus tomecod. (Walbaum). Tomcod; Frost-fish.
Groa. Dist.: Virginia to Labrador.
Season in R.I.: Present along the coast the year round; common in
streams and near shores in winter.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in shore waters in December. Eggs are heavy,
adhesive, 1-15 inch in diameter and are aglutinated together in masses,
the latter being usually attached to sea-weeds and stones at the bottom.
They hatch in 35 days at temperature of 40°; yolk sac is absorbed in
four days. The larva at hatching is 1-5 inch (5 mm.) in length
(Brice, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XXIII, 1897, 223; Ryder, Report
U.S. Fish Com., XIII, 1885, 523).
Foop: Annelids, shrimp, amphipods, and other small crustacea.
Size: Rarely over twelve inches.
Gadus eallarias (Linneus). Cod.
Geoa. Dist.: North Atlantic, south to Virginia and France.
Micrations: Prefers a temperature of 35° to 42° F; therefore it remains
on the offshore banks during the summer along the New England
coast, keeping out of the cold Labrador current, which extends south
inside the Gulf Stream, coming into more shallow water in winter.
(For the results of an experiment in tagging of codfish, see H. M.
Smith, Notes on the Tagging of Four Thousand Adult Cod at Woods
Hole, Mass., Report, U.S. Fish Com., X XVII, 1901, 193.)
Season in R. I.: Appears in October, height of season in November;
present all winter. A spring run takes place in April. April 30, 1906,
100 specimens were taken in Sand Blow trap, Conanicut Island.
RepropuctTion: The extreme length of the spawning period is from
September to May. The spawning of each fish probably continues
through a period of two months. The eggs are buoyant, 1-18 inch in
diameter, hatch in fourteen days at 43°; the yolk sac is absorbed in
12 days at 38°.
156 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Foop: Feeds on all marine animals smaller than itself. Fishes: molluses,
crustaceans, echinoderms, ete. Many specimens of lobsters have been
found in the stomach of the cod; a five-inch lobster was found in the
stomach of a cod taken off Nantucket, November 1, 1900. The very
young feed exclusively on copepods (Kendall, Bull. U. S. Fish Com.,
XVI, 1896, 177).
Rate or GrowtTH: At Woods Hole young, 4 to 1 inch in length, are
seined in March. These leave about June 15, 3 or 4 inches in length.
Schools of young about two inches long were seen April 23, 1906. In
Massachusetts the rate of growth of the cod has been shown to be as
follows: specimen 14 to 3 inches long are about six months old; those
9 to 13 inches are 14 years old; those 18 are 14 year old; and those
22 inches long are 34 years old. The largest cod ever recorded from
New England weighed 2114 pounds, and was over six feet long; taken
in a trawl in May, 1895 (Brice, 1897).
REFERENCES:
1873: Sars, Report, U.S. Fish Com., III, 213.
1877: Sars, ibid, V, 612.
1878: Earuu, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., VI, 685.
1882: Ryper, Report, U.S. Fish Com., X, 455.
1885: Ryper, Report, U. 8. Fish Com., XIII, 489.
1890: McInrosH AND Princg, Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, XXXV,
812.
1897: Brice, Report, of U. 8. Fish Com., XXIII, 193.
1897: MclInrosu, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 15, 194.
1897: McInrosuH anD MASTERMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 236.
1901: MasrerMan, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, 40, 1.
1909: EnrEenBAUM, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 224.
182. Melanogrammus eglefinus (Linneus). Haddock.
Groa. Dist.: North Atlantic, south to France and North Carolina; in
deep water to Cape Hatteras.
Season 1n R. I.: Taken in Narragansett Bay (R. I. Fish Com., 1899).
Sometimes taken in East Passage in cold weather. Off Block Island
(Collins and Rathbun, 1887).
Repropuction: Spawning season is from February to May. The egg
is buoyant, non-adhesive, without an oil globule; 1-17 inch (1.19 to
1.67 mm.) in diameter. The larva newly hatched is ¢ inch (4 mm).
in length.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. Vaz
Foop: Like that of the cod, but more largely of invertebrates (Goode).
Fishes like cunners and herrings, crustaceans, annelids, molluses, and
echinoderms.
Rate or GrowtuH: In the North Sea, larva 1-5 to + inch long (5.5 to 8.5
mm.) found in April; larve 4 to 2 4-5 inches (11.25 to 43 mm.) in
June and July. Adult reaches a length of nearly three feet.
REFERENCES:
1885: CUNNINGHAM, Quart. Jour. Micro. Sci., Vol. 26, 2.
1890: McInrosH AND Princk, Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, XXV,
822.
1893: Hott, Sci. Trans. Roy. Soc., Dublin, V, 51.
1896: Kernpatt, Bull. U.S. Fish Com., XVI, 177.
1897: Bric, Report, U.S. Fish Com., XXIII, 222.
1897: MclInrtosu, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 15, 196.
1897: McInrosH anp MasterMaN, British Marine Food Fishes, 245.
1909: EHRENBAUM, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 219.
183. Urophycis regius (Walbaum). King Hake; Codling.
Grog. Dist.: Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras, but nowhere common.
Found most frequently in the neighborhood of Long Island. In
Maine reported off Seguin Island, (Kendall, 1908); in Massachusetts
at Woods Hole (Smith, 1898); in Connecticut from Long Island Sound,
(Lindsley, 1844); off Stratford, Middle Ground, off Faulkners Island,
_ (Kendall, 1908).
Season IN R. I.: From September to November; not common, but is
sometimes taken in traps in the southern part of Narragansett Bay.
Specimens taken in 155 fathoms of water off Newport by the ‘“ Fish
Hawk,” September, 1880.
Hasitat: Deep water.
Size: Average about ten inches.
184. Urophycis tenuis (Mitchill). White Hake; Hake; Squirrel Hake.
Grog. Dist.: Banks of Newfoundland to Cape Hatteras, abundant north-
ward in deep water, reaching a depth of 304 fathoms.
Season in R.I.: April to November, not so common as the Red Hake
(Urophycis chuss).
Repropuction: Probably spawns in winter or early spring. Young
specimens found in the shells of Pecten tenuicostatus, off Watch Hill,
September, 1874 (Goode).
158
185.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Foop: Bottom feeding, fishes and crustacea.
Sizz: One to two pounds.
Urophyecis chuss (Walbaum). Hake, Red Hake.
Greoa. Dist.: Atlantic coast, Gulf of St. Lawrence to Virginia. Common
northward, reaching a depth of 300 fathoms.
SEASON IN R.I.: Comes in numbers about May first and is very common
through May and June, but absent through the summer. Comes in
again about October first and is abundant until December. Prob-
ably present throughout the winter. Reported from Rhode Island by
Rafinesque (1818); from Point Judith, by Mitchill (1878).
Hasirat: Bottom fish.
Repropuction: “It is believed that they spawn throughout the summer
for the young are found through all the summer months. Specimens
taken at a depth of 37 fathoms in a temperature of 41° F., contained
well developed ova and were apparently ready to spawn. ‘The
young are frequently taken swimming on the surface on the southern
coast of New England in the summer and numerous individuals have
been found off Block Island and Watch Hill, seeking shelter between
the valves of a large species of scallop (Pecten tenuicostatas) at a depth
of 20 to 40 fathoms” (Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, 1895,
359).
Observations at Wickford, however, lead the present writer to believe that
this species is a winter spawner like other fishes of the cod family.
The specimens from two to six inches long in June and July correspond
in a general way with the length of cod and haddock at that time and
indicate that the height of the spawning season is some months past.
Of the very small specimens of the rearing cars of the lobster plant,
the writer has never seen but three, although he has watched for them
particularly for two or three summers. Probably, as occurs in other
species, these small specimens were hatched from eggs spawned ex-
ceptionally late. If this species spawned in great numbers in summer
in Narragansett Bay many young would appear in the lobster cars, as
in the case of the other summer spawning species.
Foop: Crustacea and small fry. A specimen three inches (73 mm.)
taken in Wickford Cove June, 1908, had a stomach full of shrimp.
Rate oF GRowTH: Young specimens from 2.5 to 6 inches long are com-
mon in eelgrass along the shores during June and July. Young prob-
ably of this species are occasionally taken in the lobster rearing cars
186.
187.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES, 159
of the Wickford Experiment Station. Specimen 28 mm. taken July
26, 1907; specimen 4 mm. taken July 8, 1908. May 30, 1910, 14
specimens taken in seine, Cornelius Island, averaging 66 mm., ranging
from 47 to 90 mm,
Enchelyopus cimbrius (Linneus). four-bearded Rockling.
Gro«. Dist.: North Atlantic on both coasts, south in deep water to the
Gulf Stream. Common in the deep waters of Massachusetts Bay.
Taken by the “ Albatross” and “ Fish Hawk” off southern New Eng-
land, in depths from 7 to 724 fathoms.
SeasoninR.I.: Specimens taken by “ Fish Hawk” in Narragansett Bay
at a depth of 12} fathoms (Goode and Bean, Ocanic Ichthyology, 1895,
384). Young specimens from Newport are described by A. Agassiz.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning season is from February to August. The egg
is 1-33 to 1-25 inch (.66 to .98 mm.) in diameter and has an oil globule.
The newly hatched larva is 1-12 inch long (2 mm.). (Ehrenbaum.)
Rate oF GRowtTH: Young from 4 to 14 inches taken at the Fish Com-
mission Wharf at Woods Hole from June 27th to July 6, 1900. Speci-
mens ten inches long taken in Eel Pond at Woods Hole, January 5th,
1889; a second specimen has been taken in Little Harbor in winter
(Sherwood and Edwards, 1901.) Adult grows about a foot long.
REFERENCES:
1882: Agassiz, A., Proc. Amer. Acad. XVII, 294.
1885: AGassiz, A., AND WuITMAN, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. XIV, 39.
1890: Brook, Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc., Edinburgh, X, 157.
1893: Hott, Sci. Trans. Roy. Soc., Dublin, V, 95.
1897: McInrosu AnD MasTrEeRMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 284.
1909: EnHRENBAUM, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 280.
Brosme brosme (Miiller). Cusk; Ling.
Geoa. Dist.: North Atlantic, south to Long Island and Denmark; north
to Iceland and Spitzbergen. Rare south of Cape Cod.
Hasitat: Deep water, inhabitating rocky ledges.
Season in R.1.: Specimen taken off Newport, November, 1898.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns during April, May, and June. Eggs 1-20 inch
in diameter (1.2 mm. to 1.5 mm.) with an oil globule. The larva on
hatching is ¢ inch long (4 mm.). (For description of eggs and young,
see Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 1909, 292. McIntosh and
Masterman, British Marine Food Fishes, 1897, 299. McIntosh,
Report, Fishery Board of Scotland, 10, 1892, 288.)
160
188.
189.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
PLEURONECTID2. The Flounders.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Linneus). Halibut.
Geoa. Dist.: In all northern seas. In water of moderate depth in North
Atlantic, North Pacific, and Behring Sea; south in deep water to
France, Sandy Hook, and San Francisco. Occasional on New Eng-
land shore north of Cape Cod; was formerly more abundant. This
species has been taken in Connecticut at Stonington (Linsley, 1844),
and at Fisher’s Island (Goode, 1880).
Hasirat: Cod banks of northern seas in water 32° to 45° F., from shoal
water down to 250 fathoms or more.
Season, In R.I.: In February, 1876, a few were taken about eight miles
from the southern point of Block Island. On May 1, 1876, off Watch
Hill an 80-pound halibut was taken, the first in that vicinity for many
years. On April 16, 1900, a 100-pound halibut was brought to New-
port; formerly quite common around Block Island and Vineyard
Sound.
REPRODUCTION: Spawning season on the Scandinavian coast is from
February to April. The eggs are unknown except as found in the
ripe ovary; such eggs are ¢ inch in diameter (3.07 to 3.8 mm.), with no
oil globule.
Foop: Molluscs and crustacea, and fishes of all sorts.
Rate or GRowTH: Youngest known larva is 4 inch (13.5 mm.) in length.
Larva of this size up to 1 2-5 inches (84 mm.) are taken at the Faroe
Island and in Danish waters from the end of May to the beginning of
July. The smallest specimen from the American coast was about
five inches long, dredged by Prof. Verrill in the Strait of Canso. (See
Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10 1909, 177.)
REFERENCES:
1885: Goopr, A Brief Biography of the Halibut, Amer’, Nat. XIX,
953.
1892: McInTosu, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 10, 285.
1893: MclInvosu, ibid, 11, 244.
1896: CuNNINGHAM, Marketable Marine Fishes, 243.
1897: McInrosu anD MAsTERMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 315.
1909: Eurensaum, Nordisches Plankton, 10, 177.
Hippoglossoides platessoides (Fabricius). Sand-dab; Rough dab;
Rusty Flounder.
Grog. Dist.: North Atlantic, common in deep water south to southern
New England and the coast of England and Scandinavia.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 161
Season In R. I1.: It is often taken in beam-trawls in winter in the deep
water of the East Passage, not far from Gould’s Island. Not unusual
in deep water off southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, approach-
ing the coast in winter (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 471).
Repropuction: The spawning period of this species is in March and
April on the European coast. The egg has no oil globule and has a
very large previtelline space. When first laid the egg is a little over
1-25 inch (1 mm.) in diameter; later the previtelline space absorbes
water and expands to 1-20 inch (1.86 mm.) (McIntosh and Master-
man, 1897). Ehrenbaum gives the diameter of the egg in the North
Sea as 1.38 to 2.64 mm. and at Helgoland, 2.7 to 3.2mm. The eggs
hatch in about fourteen days.
Rate oF GRowTH: The larva at hatching is 1-5 inch long (4 to 5 mm.).
Young from } to 14 inch in length (7.2 to 31.5 mm.) are taken in the
North Sea from the middle of May to the middle of July. Young
specimens from the west coast of Ireland, three and four inches long
(95 mm.) were supposed to be 15 to 16 months old; specimens eight
inches long (181 to 214 mm.) are probably two years old; specimens
twelve inches long (300 mm.), about three years old (Holt). On
the east coast of Scotland the smallest ripe male found was five inches
long, the smallest ripe female, seven inches (McIntosh). In American
waters the maximum size of the adult is about 20 to 24 inches.
REFERENCES:
1889: McInrosu, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 7, 304.
1890: McInrosH anv Prince, Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, XXXV,
853.
1895: McInrvosu, ibid. 13, 220.
1896: CunnineHAM, Marketable Marine Fishes, 244.
1896: McInrvosu, ibid. 9, 319.
1897: McINnrosH AND MastrerMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 319.
1898: Kye, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 10, 235.
1905: EHrENBAuUM, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 182.
190. Paralichthys dentatus (Linneus). Swmmer Flounder; Flounder;
Fluke.
Geoc. Disr.: Atlantic coast; Casco Bay to Florida.
Micrations: They are found northward in 2 to 20 fathoms of water;
in winter they move into deeper water.
Hasitat: Sandy bottoms.
21
162 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Season IN R. 1.: May to the end of October. Much more abundant in
summer than the winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus).
Foop: Small fishes, especially butter-fish and scup; also crustacea,
molluses, squid, sand-dollars.
Repropuction: Practically nothing is known of its breeding habits, but
it is thought to spawn in deep water in winter, probably toward the
southern part of its range.
Rate oF GRowTH: Specimens under nine inches are not taken in northern
waters. Seal found specimens 1 to 14 inches in length at Point Look-
out, Maryland, in May, 1890, and in September, 1889, he took speci-
mens five to ten inches long at St. Jerome, Maryland (Bean, 1891).
The average length is from 16 to 30 inches, and the average weight
about 24 pounds. Exceptionally it reaches a length of three feet and
a weight of fifteen pounds.
191. Paralichthys oblongus (Mitchill). Four-spotted Flounder; Flounder.
Grog. Dist.: Coasts of New England and New York, inhabitating deeper
water than the other species of this genus. Common on the coast of
Cape Cod; rare in other places.
The limits of the geographical range of this species have never been
very accurately determined. Its distribution is apparently very limited,
since it is not recorded south of New York and has been taken very
rarely north of Cape Cod. In 1877 a single specimen was captured at
the mouth of Salem harbor by the United States Fish Commission.
Season In R. I.: Common in May and June in the outside waters. Not
common in Narragansett Bay. Specimens were taken off the Rhode
Island coast by the “ Fish Hawk,” in September, 1880, at a depth of
100 fathoms. June 5, 1906, a half-dozen small specimens were taken
in the Hazard’s Quarry trap.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in May. The eggs are buoyant, 1-26 inch in
diameter, and hatch in eight days in water of 51° to 56° F.
Foop: Crustacea, annelids, molluscs, small fishes.
Rate oF GRowtTH: The young are rarely observed, but in the autumn of
1885 and 1886 large numbers two or three inches long were taken at
Woods Hole (Smith, 1898). Adults reach a length of fourteen inches.
192. Limanda ferruginea (Storer). Rusty Flatfish.
GroG. Dist.: Atlantic coast, Labrador to New York. Reported in
Narragansett Bay by R. I. Fish Commission, 1899. De Kay reported
this flatfish to be very rare and occurring only in deep water. Re-
193.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 163
ported from Casco Bay and on the Massachusetts shore in several
places north of Buzzards Bay (Kendall, 1908).
Season IN R. I.: Probably common through the year in deep water.
Specimens, have been taken on the Pecten ground, off Watch Hill,
Rhode Island (Goode, 1880). Large specimen taken in beam trawl
south of Plum Beach Light, December 22, 1908. Common in East
Passage from December first through cold weather.
Foop: Crustacea, molluscs, annelids, small fishes.
Repropuction: Little is definitely known with regard to the reproduction
of this fish. Stephen R. Williams, while collecting young flatfishes
at Woods Hole in June, 1898 and 1899, found flatfish larvee which
at the metamorphosis, measured 13 to 14 mm., and which were bulky
and much pigmented. These specimens were considered as possibly
the young of the rusty flatfish (Williams, 1902).
Size: The average size is stated to be about 14 inches in length. The
specimen described by De Kay was 18 inches long and 8.5 inches broad.
Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum). Flatfish; Winter
Flounder.
Geoa. Dist.: Atlantic coast; Labrador to Chesepeake Bay.
Migrations: Moves very little with the change of season, but goes out
into somewhat deeper water during the hot summer months.
Hasirat: Grassy and muddy bottoms.
Season in R.1.: Present the year round. More abundant in late winter
and spring while spawning, and in October. A few are taken in traps
in the summer, but it is not so common at that time as the summer
flounder (Paralichthys dentatus). A specimen five inches long was
seined at Willow Beach near Wickford, July 17, 1905. A dark-
bellied variety appeared in Greenwich Bay in 1897; apparently these
have since disappeared (Bull. U. S. Fish Com., 19, 1898, 305).
ReEprRopDucTION: Spawns from February to April. The eggs are 1-30
of an inch in diameter and very glutinous. The average number of
eggs in a single individual is 500,000. The eggs hatch in 17 or 18 days
in water 37° or 38° F. (Smith, 1898). Brice, Report, U.S. Fish Com.,
Com., XXIII, 1897, 215; Williams, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Camb.,
XL, 1902, 4.
Rate or GRowrTH: The later rate of growth cannot be readily determined
except by taking the averages of a large number of measurements of
flatfishes captured at different seasons. Larve 1-5 inch (4 and 5 mm.)
in length taken in tow March 28, 1908. In each of the lobster-rearing
164
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
ears at the Wickford Experiment Station from about June 15th to
July 1st, from a dozen to fifty specimens are found ranging from 2-5
to 4-5 inch (10 to 21 mm.) in length. In July and August specimens
ranging from 1# to 5 inches are abundant near the shore. It is prob-
able that these specimens were from spawn hatched at the beginning
of the season.
On July 13, 1907, at Railroad Wharf, Wickford, in the seine, were taken
fifteen specimens about 1# inches (ranging around 40 mm.); July 17, Wil-
low Beach, seine, specimens three inches long; July 15, 1906, Cornelius
Island, specimens three inches long; July 28, 1908, nineteen specimens
were taken in a seine, ranging from 1 1-5 to 2 3-5 inches (30 to 60 mm.),
averaging 47.3 mm.; August 8, 1908, five specimens, 3} inches long
(120 mm., 110 mm., 102 mm., 92 mm., 92 mm), were taken at Cornelius
Island; and specimens 2 1-5 to 3 3-5 inches (55 mm., 90 mm.), were
taken at the same place in a seine on the tenth of August. On the
twentieth of August, 1908, at Cornelius Island, seine, specimens
4 3-5 to 5 2-5 inches (119 mm.; 114mm.; 119m.; 129mm; 136mm.)
were taken.
Metamorphosis takes place in the early part of June at Woods Hole, and
at the end of August they reach three inches (75 mm.) in length (Wil- ,
liams, loc. cit.).
In the early part of the year specimens from four to six or eight inches aré
often taken in the traps and fyke nets. Probably these are fish of the
preceding season (one year old).
April 16, 1906, a few young specimens about six inches long, including
many four inches long and upwards, were taken in a trap at Dutch
Island Harbor.
The spawning fishes which are taken in fyke nets in the early spring
(March and April), and which are eight to twelve inches in length, are
probably three years old. The very large specimens which are taken
in deep water in beam-trawls (East Passage of Narragansett Bay) are
probably four years or older.
In spring of 1910, at the Experiment Station, several hundred fry were
successfully reared through metamorphosis. The data regarding the
experiment has been furnished by W. E. Sullivan:
“Tn a filter car (Mead, 1908), without paddle, were placed, on March 26,
a considerable number of artificially fertilized eggs. These hatched
April 12. On May 14 these were between 6 and 7 mm. in length.
May 28 the average length was 6.5 mm., and the depth 3 mm.; they
ranged from 5 to 8 m. in length, and from 2.5 to 4.8 in depth.
194.
195.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 165
‘In another car were placed mature males and females which spawned
naturally April 15. The larve hatched April 22. On May 10 these
ranged from 5.2 to 6.7 mm. in length.
“The larve of 5 mm. (11 days old) are externally symmetrical and, as
far as can be seen, favor neither side in swimming. Between the
lengths of 5 and 6 mm., some of the more critical changes take place.
The left eye assumes a mediandorsal position; the tail becomes
heterocercal in shape; the fish, in swimming, begins to favor the left
side. A fish between 5.5 and 6 mm., when at rest, will invariably
rest on the left side.
“After reaching a length of 6 mm., the greatest growth is in depth, and
while all larve of 5 mm. are about the same depth (1 to 1.1 mm.),
those of 6 mm. vary from 1.2 to 3 mm.in depth. When the young
fish has reached this stage, it is never seen near the top of the water
unless the bottom of the car has been excessively disturbed.””—
(Quoted from notebook of W. E. Sullivan.)
Liopsetta putnami (Gill). Hel-back Flounder.
Grog. Dist.: Atlantic coast of North America from Rhode Island to
Labrador. Common along coast of northern Massachusetts and
northward.
Season In R.I.: The Museum of Comparative Zoédlogy, Cambridge, has
a specimen from “ Providence.”
Repropuction: The remarkable sexual differences existing in this
species have been described by Bean (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1878, 345).
Size: Ten inches.
Lophopsetta maculata (Mitchill). Window-pane; Sand-dab.
Grog. Dist.: Atlantic coast of United States, Nova Scotia to South
Carolina. Cornish (1907) reports specimens from Canso.
SeEAsonInR.I.: Present the year round, abundant from April to October.
In Narragansett Bay this species is taken in considerable numbers in the
beam-trawls in winter. Specimens taken December 22, 1908, just
south of Plum Beach Light; January 1, 1907, near Gould’s Island,
East Passage. It is also taken in fyke nets with flatfish about the
first of March.
REPRODUCTION: Spawns in May and June. The eggs are buoyant, non-
adhesive, 1-24 of an inch in diameter, they hatch in eight days in
water 51° to 56° F. (Smith, 1889).
Foop: Fishes and crustacea.
166 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Rate ofr GRowTH: Young specimens up to 14 inches long are occasionally
found in June and July in the lobster-rearing cars at the Wickford
Experiment Station. Several were taken in 1909. June 13, one
specimen } inch (6 mm.), and another 12 inch (8 mm.) were taken;
metamorphosis had not yet taken place. June 30, a specimen was
taken 1 inch (25 mm.) long in which the eyes were as in the adult.
August 2nd a specimen 14 inches (37 mm.) long was taken. Williams,
1898 and 1899, found many larval specimens at Woods Hole closely
associated with the young of the winter flounder. Some of these
specimens he kept for some time in artificial inclosures and observed
their growth. They grew very rapidly, much more so than the floun-
ders. One which measured 10 mm. (2-5) inch in length and 5 mm.
(1-5 inch) in depth during eleven days grew to 22 mm. (9-10 inch) in
length and 12 mm. (4 inch) in depth. Young specimens are rather
common in shallow water with a sandy bottom. Specimens two and
three inches long are often taken in the seine along sandy beaches
after the middle of July. Specimens 4 inches Jong and upward are
taken in beam trawls in December. The average length of the adult
sand-dab is about eleven inches.
SOLEID®. The Soies.
196. Achirus fasciatus (Lacépéde). Sole; Hog-choker; Black Flatfish.
Groa. Dist.: Coasts of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico north to Cape
Ann. Common south of Susquehanna River.
Season 1n R. I.: Taken occasionally throughout the year; not very
common in Narragansett Bay. Specimens from Providence and from
Newport are in the U. 8. National Museum. Specimen taken August
14, 1905, in a trap in the West Passage. September 14, 1908, 3 speci-
mens were taken in Wild Goose trap. On April 14, 1908, a specimen
taken in fyke net outside Popular Point, Wickford. In Narragansett
Bay this species is apparently most numerous in the spring, when it is
often taken in fyke nets with flatfish.
Repropuction: Specimens apparently ripe are taken the latter part of
May at Woods Hole (Bumpus, 1898). One small specimen has been
taken in fresh water, which may indicate that this species spawns in
rivers (Bean, 1903).
Foop: Eight specimens examined by Dr. Linton in 1899 had only vege-
table debris (Fucus and eelgrass) in the alimentary canal.
Size: This is the smallest species of American flatfishes. It seldom
exceeds five or six inches in length.
197.
REPORT OF GOMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 167
LOPHIID. The Fishing-Frogs.
Lophius piscatorius (Linneus). Goose fish; Bellows-fish; Angler.
Geog. Dist.: North Atlantic, common on both coasts. Ranges south-
ward along the shore to Cape Hatteras; in deep water as far as the
Barbadoes, in 209 fathoms, and to Cape of Good Hope. North to
Norway and Nova Scotia.
Hasitat: A sluggish, bottom-loving fish. Present in shallow water in
spring and fall, retiring to deep water in both very warm and very
cold weather. In the winter of 1904-1905 many of this species, about
a foot in length, were frequently seen dead in Narragansett Bay and
thrown up on the shores. This was probably caused by the excessive
cold of that season.
Season In R. I.: Common from April to July; apparently absent in
summer, probably going into deeper water; common in shallow water
again in October. In September, 1880, three specimens were taken
in the tilefish area at depths of 120 to 365 fathoms. (Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., 1880, 461.)
Repropuction: Probably spawns from June to August in deep water.
The eggs are buoyant, enclosed in a ribbon-shaped gelatinous mass
about two or three feet wide and 25 to 30 feet long. The eggs are
arranged in a single irregular layer, each arranged in a gelatinous
envelope twice the diameter of the egg. The egg is } inch in diameter
(1.75 mm.), and has a large oil globule.
Foop: Extremely voracious in its feeding habits, swallowing all kinds of
fishes, including large numbers of its own species. It has been known
to swallow live water-fowl, whence its common name. Dr. Linton
found specimens whose stomachs contained large quantities of mud
full of mollusca, small crustacea, and annelids.
RaTE OF GRowTH: Specimen four inches long taken off the banks of
Newfoundland in 1856. Young specimens have been found only at
considerable depths. Adults are taken four feet in length.
REFERENCES:
1882: A. Acassiz, Proc. Amer. Acad., XVII, 280.
1885: A. AGaAssiz AND WuiTMaN, Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Coll., XIV,
16.
1890: McIntTosH AnD Prince, Trans. Roy. Soc., Edinburgh, XXXV..,
869.
1891: Prince, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 9.
1897: McIntTosH AND MasTERMAN, British Marine Food Fishes, 149.
168
198.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
1903: Futon, Report, Fishery Board, Scotland, 21, 186.
1905: Exnrenspaum, Nordisches Plankton, 4, 46.
1908: Gri, Report Smithson. Inst., 565.
ANTENNARIID. The Frog-Fishes.
Pterophryne histrio (Linnzeus). Marbled Angler; Sargassum Fish.
Grog. Dist.: Tropical parts of the Atlantic, north to Cape Cod in floating
masses of gulf-weed. A specimen has been taken in Norway from
sea-weed floating in the Gulf Stream. A number of specimens have
been taken at different times at Woods Hole and Nantucket Shoals.
SEASON IN R. I.: Two specimens were taken in 1904 at the mouth of the
Sakonnet River, one on September 6, the other about a week later.
Hasirat: Surface of tropical waters, chiefly under floating masses of
gulf-weed.
Repropuction: The spawning season extends from July to October.
Several specimens in an aquarium at Woods Hole spawned in August.
The eggs were in long bands like those of the goosefish. These bands
are four or five feet long and two to four inches wide. The eggs are
1-25 inch in diameter without any oil globule. (Ehrenbaum, Nor-
disches Plankton, 10, 1909, 393; Gill and Gudger, Science, XXII,
1905; Gill, Smithsonian Report, 1908, 565.
This is one of the most interesting of our visitors from southern waters.
It is usually found swimming under the bits of gulfweed which some-
times drift in from the Gulf Stream in summer and autumn during long
east and southeast blows. This fish furnishes an interesting example
of protective resemblance. The mottling of its body and the numerous
filamentous appendages attached to its skin gives it such a resemblance
to the gulfweed in which it floats that it must be very effectively hidden
from its enemies. With regard to the habits of this species (Smith,
1898), speaking of some specimens in an aquarium at Wood’s Hole,
says: ‘While clumsy in their movements they were adepts at ap-
proaching and capturing other fishes. They are quite cannibalistic
and one 6 inches long swallowed another 4 inches long, and they
frequently bit off the fleshy dermal appendages of their fellows.”’
As far as is known the two specimens above referred to are the only mem-
bers of this species ever taken in Rhode Island waters. .Their presence
here at that particular time is explained by the following data which
has been kindly furnished by Mr. W. L. Day, Observer, Weather
Bureau, Block Island. The direction of the wind during the two weeks
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 169
previous to September 6, 1904, was prevailingly southwest for five
days, east for three days, south for three days, northwest for three
days. The mean velocity, moreover, for the two weeks under con-
sideration was greater than the average by a difference amounting to
about five miles an hour, the normal hourly velocity for August and
September being 13 miles, and the average hourly velocity for the
two weeks being 18. Remembering the general trend of the Atlantic
coast and bearing in mind the fact that Cape Cod is less than 100 miles
distant from the western edge of the Gulf Stream, it is easily seen that
the drift of the Gulf Stream and the winds of the direction and velocity
noted above would unite to form a resultant acting on the floating
masses of gulfweed so as to drive them northward and into the huge
“pocket” formed by the configuration of the southern New England
coast.
OGCOCEPHALID®. The Bat Fishes.
199. Dibranchus atlanticus (Peters).
Groa. Dist.: Deep waters of the Atlantic; very abundant in about 300
fathoms; north in the Gulf Stream to Rhode Island.
Season IN R.I.: Very many specimens have been taken in the tile-fish
area at depths ranging from 100 to 500 fathoms. A single specimen
was captured off Block Island in 1880 (Goode and Bean, Oceanic
Ichthyology, 1896, 501). Specimens from Newport (?) (Jordan and
Evermann, 1898). (Gill, Smithsonian Report, 1908, 565.)
22
APPENDIX.
A PARTIAL LIST OF FISHES OBTAINED IN THE GULF
STREAM SOUTH OF RHODE ISLAND.
1. Psenes edwardsii (Eigenmann).
A single specimen, 90 mm. in length, was taken about July 28, 1900, by
the schooner Grampus from under a Medusa 30 miles south of Newport.
(Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, 21, 1901, 35.)
2. Lopholatilus chamzleonticeps (Goode & Bean). Tilefish.
GroG. Dist.: Deep water of western Atlantic. Taken in water not less
than 55 fathoms in depth directly to the south of Rhode Island, in the
area between 69° and 73° W. longitude and 40° 20’ to 39° 47’ N. latitude.
(Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, 1898, 321.)
Foop: Preéminently a crab eater; there have also been found, in the
stomach of many specimens, squids, molluscs, holothurians, spiny
dogfish, eels, and fish bones.
The following fishes were dredged off the southern coast of New England, by
the U.S. Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk, September 1, 1899, 40° N. latitude;
70° W. longitude. (Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, 19, 1899, 240.) Those marked
with a * have already been mentioned in the list of Rhode Island fishes given
above. It is interesting to note their occurrence in the Gulf Stream, as it in
part explains their occasional presence in Rhode Island waters nearer shore.
3. Seriola fasciata (Bloch). Range, West Indies to Charleston, S.C. One
specimen.
4. *Trachurops crumenophthalmus (Bloch). Range, Atlantic coast of
United States. Two specimens.
5. *Caranx crysos (Mitchill). Hard-tail. Range, Cape Cod to Brazil. One
specimen.
6. Glossamia pandionis (Goode & Bean). Range, deep water off Chesa-
peake Bay. One specimen.
iby? REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
7%. *Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnzeus). Range, both coasts of tropical America.
One specimen.
8. Balistes vetula (Linneus). T'rigger-fish. Range, tropical parts of the
Atlantic, Gulf Stream to Woods Hole. One specimen.
9. *Monacanthus hispidus (Linneus). File-jish. Range, Cape Cod to
Brazil. Several specimens.
10. *Lycenchelys verrilli (Goode & Bean). Range, coast of Massachusetts
and northward. One specimen.
11. *Merluccius bilinearis (Mitchill). Whiting or Silver Hake. Range,
coast of New England and northward. Two specimens.
12. MHelicolenus maderensis (Goode & Bean). Range, deep waters of
Atlantic coast from New York to Florida. One specimen.
13. Raja eglanteria (Bosc). Skate. Range, Cape Cod, southward to
Florida. One specimen.
14. *Dibranchus atlanticus (Peters). Range, Gulf Stream. Several speci-
mens.
INDEX
OF THE COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF ALL FISHES INCLUDED
IN THE PRECEDING LISTS.
A:
Abramis crysoleucas, 68
Abudefduf saxatilis, 135, 172
Achirus fasciatus, 166
Acipenser brevirostrum, 65
Acipenseride, 64
Acipenser sturio, 64
Agonide, 145
Albula vulpes, 73
Albulide, 73
Alectis ciliaris, 111
Alewife, 76
Alligator-fish, 145
Alopias vulpes, 60
Alopid», 60
Alosa sapidissima, 77
Amber-fish, 108
Amber-fishes, 107
Ambloplites rupestris, 118
Ameiurus nebulosus, 66
Ammodytes americanus, 98
Ammodytide, 98
Anarhichadide, 152
Anarhichas lupus, 152
Anchovies, 82
Anchovy, 82
Anchovy, striped, 82
Angel-fish, 61, 63
Angel-fishes, 137
Angel-sharks, 61
Angler, 167
Angler, marbled, 168
Anguilla rostrata, 70
Anguillide, 70
Antennariide, 168
Apeltes quadracus, 91
Apogon imberbis, 121
go eosateds probatocephalus,
Argentinide, 84
Aspidophoroides
gius, 145
Atherinide, 95
Auxis thazard, 102
B.
Balistes carolinensis, 138
Balistes forcipatus, 139
Balistes vetula, 172
Balistide, 138
’ Banded pickerel, 85
Barndoor skate, 62
Barracuda, 97
Barracuda, northern, $8
Barracudas, 97
Bass, black, 119, 123
oe black, large-mouthed,
et black, small-mouthed,
Bass, rock, 118
ass, sea, 123
Bass, striped, 121
asses, sea, 121
monoptery-
Bat-fishes, 169
Batrachoidide, 149 F
Beleosoma nigrum olmstedi,
121
Bellows-fish, 167
Big-eye, 124
Big-eyed herring, 73
Big-eyed sead, 110
Big skate, 62
Billfish, 87
Blackback, 77
Black bass, 119, 123
Black bass, large-mouthed,
119
Black bass,
119
Blackfish, 136
Black flatfish, 166
Black-nosed dace, 68
Black-winged flying fish, 89
Blennide, 150
Blennies, 150
Blue-back, 74
Blue shark, 59, 60
Bluefish, 113
Bluefishes, 113
Bonito, 102, 103
Bony fish, 79
Branch herring, 76
Brevoortia tyrannus, 79
Brit, 95
Brook sucker, 67
Brook trout, 83
Brosme brosme, 159
Buckie, 76
Bullhead, 66
Bull’s-eye mackerel, 102
Butterfish, 117, 150
Butterfishes, 116
Butterfly-fishes, 138
Butterfly ray, 63
C.
Carangide, 107
Caranx crysos, 111, 171
Caranx hippos, 110
Carassius auratus, 69
Carcharhinus milberti, 59
Carcharhinus obscurus, 59
Carcharias littoralis, 60
Carchariide, 60
Cardinal fishes, 121
Carp, 69
Carps, 68
Catalufas, 124
Cat-fish, 66, 152
Cat-fish, gaff-topsail, 66
Cat-fish, sea, 66
Cat-fishes, 66
Catostomide, 67
atostomus commersonii, 67
Centrarchide, 118
Centropristes striatus, 123
Cephalacanthide, 148
Cephalacanthus volitans, 148
small-mouthed‘
Ceratacanthus schcepfii, 140
Cereen, 105
Chetodipterus faber, 137
Cheetodon ocellatus, 138
Chetodontide, 138
Cheilodipteride, 121
Chogset, 135
Chub mackerel, 102
Chub sucker, 67
Cigar-fish, 109
Clupea harengus, 74
Clupeide, 74.
Cobbler-fish, 111
Cod, 155
Codling, 157
Cods, 154
Common killifish, 86
Common mackerel, 99
Common pompano, 113
Common sucker, 67
Conger eel, 71
Conger eels, 71
Cornet fishes, 92
Cottide, 143
Cow-nosed ray, 64
Cow-pilot, 135
Crampfish, 62
Crevallé, 110
Crevallé, yellow, 111
Croaker, 133
Cryptacanthodes maculatus,
151
Cunner, 135
Cusk, 159
Cutlas-fish, 105
Cutlas-fishes, 105
Cyclopteride, 146
Cyclopterus lumpus, 146
Cynoscion regalis, 130
Cyprinide, 68
Cyprinus carpio, 69
Cypsilurus furcatus, 90
Cypsilurus gibbifrons, 91
Cypsilurus heterurus, 90
D.
Dace, 68
Dace, black-nosed, 68
Daddy sculpin, 144
Darter, 121
Dasyatide, 63
Dasyatis centrura, 63
Dasyatis hastata, 63
Decapterus macarellus, 109
Decapterus punctatus, 109
Demoiselles, 135
Dibranchus atlanticus, 169,
172
é
Diodontide, 142 *
Dogfish, 58, 61
Dogfishes, 61
Dogfish, smooth, 58
Dogfish, spiny, 61
Dollar-fish, 111, 112
174
Drum, 135
Drums, 130
Dusky shark, 59
E.
Eagle rays, 63
Echeneidide, 148
Echeneis naucrates, 148
Echeneis naucratoides, 149
Kel, 70
Eel-back flounder, 165
Fel, conger, 71
Fel, lamprey, 58
Eel-pout, 152, 153
Eel-pouts, 152
Eels, rock, 150
Eels, true, 70
Fighteen-spined sculpin, 144
Electric rays, 62
Elopide, 72
Elops saurus, 73
Enchelyopus cimbnius, 159
Engraulidide, 82
Ephippide, 137
Epinephelus niveatus, 122
Erimyzon sucetta, 67
Esocide, 87
Etrumeus sadina, 74
Euleptorhamphus velox, 89
Eupomotis gibbosus, 118
Exoceetus speculiger, 90
Exocetide, 89
EF
Felichthys felis, 66
Filefish, 139, 172
Filefish, Powell’s, 139
Filefishes, 139
Fishing-frogs, 167
Fistularia tabacaria, 92
Fistulariide, 92
Flasher, 124
Flatfish, 163
Flatfish, black, 166
Flatfish, rusty, 162
Flounder, 161
Flounder, eel-back, 165
Flounder, four-spotted, 162
Flounder, rusty, 160
Flounder, summer, 161
Flounder, winter, 163
Flounders, 160
Fluke, 161
Flying fish, black-winged, 89
Flying fishes, 89
Flying gurnard, 148
Flying robin, 148
Foolfish, 139
Four-spined stickleback, 91
Four-spotted flounder, 162
Frigate mackerel, 102
Frog-fishes, 168
Frost fish, 153, 155
Fundulus diaphanus, 87
Fundulus heteroclitus, 86
Fundulus heteroclitus macro-
lepidotus, 86
Fundulus majalis, 86
G.
Gadide, 154
Gadus ecallarias, 155
Gaff-topsail cat-fish, 66
Galeichthys milberti, 66
Galeide, 58
Garfish, 87
Garfishes, 87
Gascon, 109
Gasterosteidz, 91
Gasterosteus bispinosus, 91
Ghost fish, 151
Glossamia pandionis, 171
Glut herring, 77
Goggler, 110
Golden shiner, 68
Gold fish, 69
Goody, 133
Goosefish, 167
Gray snapper, 125
Great sea lamprey, 58
Green pike, 85
Grouper, snowy, 122
Grubby, 143
Gurnard, common, 147
Gurnard, flying, 148
Gurnards, 147
H.
Haddock, 156
Hake, 157
Hake, king, 157
Hake, red, 158
Hakes, 153
Hake, silver, 153, 172
Hake, squirrel, 157
Hake, white, 157
Halfbeak, 88
Halfbeaks, 88
Halibut, 160
Hammer-head, 59
Hammer-headed sharks, 59
Hardtail, 111, 171
Harvest fish, 116
Head fishes, 143
Helicolenus dactylopterus, 143
Helicolenus maderensis, 172
Hemiramphiide, 88
Hemitripterus americanus,
145
Herring, 74
Herring, big-eyed, 73
Herring, branch, 74
Herring, glut, 77
Herring, river, 76
Herring, round, 74
Herring, sea, 74
Herring, thread, 78
Herrings, 74
Hickory shad, 75
Hippocampus hudsonius, 94
Hippcatoesoide platessoides,
BEC hippoglossus,
Hog-chocker, 166
Holocentridex, 98
Holocentrus ascensionis, 98
Horned pout, 66
Horse mackerel, 102
Hyporhamphus roberti, 88
I.
Istiophoride, 105
Istiophorus nigricans, 105
Isurus dekayi, 60
Je
Jack, 110
Jumping Mullet, 96
RS
Killifish, 86
Killifish, common, 86
King hake, 157
King of the mullets, 121
Kingfish, 105, 134
Kiver, 118
REPORT OF COMMISSISONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Kyphoside, 130
Kyphosus sectatrix, 130
L.
Labride, 135
Lactophrys trigonus, 140
Lady-fish, 73
Lady-fishes, 73
Lagocephalus levigatus, 141
Lagodon rhomboides, 129
Lamna cornubica, 60
Lamnide, 60
Lamprey eel, 58
Lamprey, great sea, 58
Lampreys, 58
Lant, 98
Large-mouthed black bass,119
Launce, sand, 98
Leather-jacket, 107, 138
Leiostomus xanthurus, 133
Lepomis auritus, 118
Leptocephalide, 71
Leptocephalus conger, 71
Limanda ferruginea, 162
Ling, 159
Liopsetta putmani, 165
Liparidide, 146
Liparis liparis, 146
Little sculpin, 143
Lizzard fishes, 85
Lobotes, surinamensis, 124
Lobotide, 124
Long-eared sunfish, 118
Lookdown, 112
Lophiide, 167
Lophius piscatorius, 167
Hophel ate chamezeleonticeps,
i
Lophopsetta maculata, 165
Luciide, 85
Lucius americanus, 85
Lucius reticularis, 85
Lumpfish, 146
Lump-suckers, 146
Lutianide, 125
Lycenchelys verrilli, 153. 172
Lycodes reticulatus, 153
M.
Mackerel, bull’s-eye, 102
Mackerel, chub, 102
Mackerel, common, 99
Mackerel, frigate, 102
Mackerel, horse, 102
Mackerels, 99
Mackerel sead, 109
Mackerel shark, 60
Mackerel sharks, 60
Mackerel, Spanish, 104
Madamoiselle, 133
Mangrove snapper, 125
Mens Portuguese, fish,
11
Marbled angler, 167
Mayfish, 86
Melanogrammus eglefinus, 156
Menhaden, 79
Menidia gracilis, 95
Menidia menidia notata, 95
Menticirrhus saxatilis, 134
Merlucciide, 153
Merluccius bilinearis, 153, 172
Microgadus tomeod, 155
Micropogon undulatus, 133
Micropterus dolomieu, 119
Micropterus salmoides, 119
Mink, sea, 134
Minnow, spring, 87
Mola mola, 143
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS
Molide, 143
Monacanthide, 139. "
Monacanthus hispidus, 139,
171
Monkfish, 61
Moon-fish, 137
Morone americana, 122
Mugil cephalus, 96
Mugil curema, 97
Mugilide, 96
Mullet, jumping, 96
Mullets, 96
Mullets, king of the, 121
Mullet, striped, 96
Mullet, white, 97
Mullide, 99
Mullus auratus, 99
Mummichog, 86
Mustelus canis, 58
Myliobatide, 63
Myliobatis freminvillei, 63
Myoxocephalus zeneus, 143
Myoxocephalus groenlandicus,
144
Myoxocephalus octodecimspi-
nosus, 144
N.
Narcobatide, 62
Naucrates ductor, 108
Needle-fishes, 87
Neomenis blackfordii,
Neomeenis griseus, 125
Nine-spined stickleback, 91
Nomeide, 116
Nomeids, 116
Nomeus gronovii, 116
Northern barracuda, 98
Notropis cornutus, 68
O.
Ogcocephalide, 169
Old maid, 61
Oligoplites saurus, 107
Opisthonema oglinum, 78
Opsanus tau, 149
Osmerus mordax, 84
Ostraciide, 140
Tee
Palinurichthys perciformis,
116
125
Paralichthys dentatus, 161
Paralichthys oblongus, 162
Parché, 138
Parexoccetus mesogaster, 89
Peprilus paru, 116
Perca flavescens, 120
Perches, 120
Perch, white, 122
Perch, yellow, 120 4
Percide, 120
Petromyzonide, 58
Petromyzon marinus, 58
Pholis gunnellus, 150
Pickerel, 85
Pike, green, 85
Pikes, 85
Pilot-fish, 108
Pilot sucker, 149
Pintano, 135
Pipe-fish, 92
Pipe-fishes, 92
Pleuronectid, 160
Peeciliide, 86
ogonias cromis, 135
ogy,
Pole-fish, 116
Pollachius virens, 154
Pollock, 154
Pomacentride, 135
Pomatomide, 113
Pomatomus saltatrix, 113
Pomolobus estivalis, 77
Pomolobus medioeris, 75
Fomolobus pseudoharengus,
‘
Pompano, common, 113
Pompano, round, 112
Pompanos, 107
Porcupine-fish, 142
Porcupine-fishes, 142
Porgies, 125
Porgy, 125
Poronotus tricanthus, 117
Portuguese man-of-war fish,
116
Pout, horned, 66
Powell's filefish, 139
Priacanthide, 124
Priacanthus arenatus, 124
Prionotus carolinus, 147
Prionotus strigatus, 147
Psenes edwardsii, 171
Pseudopleuronectes ameri-
eanus, 163
Pseudopriacanthus altus, 124
Pterophryne histrio, 168
Pteroplatea maclura, 63
Puffer, 141, 142
Puffer, smooth, 141
Puffers, 141
Pug-nosed shiner, 111
Pumpkin seed, 118
Pygosteus pungitius, 91
R.
Radiated shanny, 151
Raja eglanteria, 172
Raja erinacea, 61
Raja levis, 62
Raja ocellata, 62
Rajide, 61
Ray, butterfly, 63
Ray, cow-nosed, 64
Ray, sharp-headed, 63
Ray, sting, 63, 64
Rays, eagle, 63
Rays, electric, 62
Rays, sting, 63, 64
Redfin, 68
Red hake, 158
Red sculpin, 145
Remora, 148
Remoras, 148
Remora, spearfish, 149
Requiem sharks, 58
Rhinichthys atronasus, 68
Rhinoptera bonasus, 64
Rhombochirus osteochir, 149
River herring, 7
Roach, 68
Robin, flying, 148
Roccus lineatus, 121
Rockbass, 118
Rock eel, 150
Rock fish, 121
Rock fishes, 143
Rockling, four- bearded, 159
Rough-dab, 160
Round herring, 74
Round pompano, 112
Round robin, 109
Rudder fish, 116, 130
Rudder fishes, 116, 130
Rusty flatfish, 162
Rusty flounder, 160
Rypticus bistrispinus, 123
OF INLAND FISHERIES.
175
Ss.
Sail-fishes, 105
Sailor’s choice,
Salmon, 83
Salmon family, 83
Salmonide, 83
Salmo salar, 83
Salvelinus fontinalis, 83
Sanddab! 160, 165
Sand eel, 98
Sand launce, 98
Sand shark, 60
Sand sharks, 60
Sarda sarda, 103
Sargassum fish, 168
Saurel, 109
Sauries, 89
Saury, 89
Scabbard-fish, 105
Sead, 169
Sead, big-eyed, 110
Sead, mackerel, 109
Scienide, 130
Scomber colias, 102
Scomberesocide, 89
Scomberesox saurus, 89
Scomberomorus maculatus,
104
Scomberomorus regalis, 105
Scomber scombrus, 99
Scombride, 99
Scorpznide, 143
Sculpin, 144
Sculpin, daddy, 144
Sculpin, eighteen- -spined, 144
143
129
Seulpin, little, 1
Seulpin, red, 145
Sculpins, 143
Scup, 125
Scup, shiny, 129
Scuppaug, 125
Sea bass, 121, 123
Sea basses, 121
Sea cat-fish, 66
Sea herring, 74
Sea-horse, 94
Sea lamprey, 44
Sea mink, 134
Sea poacher, 145
Sea raven, 145
Sea robin, 147
Sea snail, 146
Sea snails, 146
Selene vomer, 112
Seriola fasciata, 171
Seriola lalandi, 108
Seriola zonata, 108
Serranide, 121
Shad, 77
Shad, hickory, 75
Shanny, radiated, 151
Shark, blue, 59, 60
Shark, dusky, 59
Shark, mackerel, 60
Shark. sand, 60
Shark-pilot, 108
Sharks, hammer-headed, 59
Sharks, mackerel, 60
Sharks, requiem, 58
Sharks, sand, 60
Sharks, thresher, 60
Shark-sucker, 148
Sharp-headed ray, 63
Sheepshead, 129
Shellfish, 140
Shiner, 68
Shiner, golden, 68
Shiner, pug-nosed, 111
176 REPORT OF
Shiny scup, 129
Short-nosed sturgeon, 65
Shovel-nose, 59
Siluride, 66
Silver hake, 153, 172
Silverside, 95
Silversides, 95
Silver perch, 133
Siphostoma fuscum, 92
Skate, barndoor, 62
Skate, big, 62
Skate, summer, 61
Skate, winter, 62
Skates, ele 172
Skipper, 8
Smnal|mouthed black bass, 119
Smelt, 8
Smooth aowaart 58
Snapper, gray, 125
Snapper, mangrove, 125
Snapper, red, 125
Snappers, 125
Snowy grouper, 122
Sole, 1
Soleide, 166
Spade-fish, 137
Spanish-mackerel, 104
Sparide, 125
Spearfish, 106
Spearfish remora, 149
Speckled trout, 183
Spheroides maculatus, 141
Spheroides testudineus, 141
Spheroides trichocephalus, 141
Sphyrzena borealis, 98
Sphyrena guachancho, 97
Sphyrenide, 97
Sphyrnide, 59
Sphyrna zygena, 59
Spiny dogfish, 61
Spot, 133
Spring minnow, 87
Squalide, 61
Squalus acanthias, 61
Squatina squatina, 61
Squatinide, 61
Squeteague, 130
Squirrel fish, 98
Squirrel hake, 157
Stenotomus chrysops, 125
Stickleback, four-spined, 91
Stickleback, nine-spined, 91
Stickleback, two-spined, 91
Sticklebacks, 91
Sting ray, 63, 64
Sting rays, 63
Stolephorus brownii, 82
Stolephorus mitchilli, 82
Striped anchovy, 82
Striped bass, 121
Striped mullet, 96
Stromateide, 116
Sturgeon, 64
Sturgeon, short-nosed, 65
Sturgeons, 64
Sucker, 146
Sucker, brook, 67
Sucker, chub, 67
Sucker, common, 67
Sucker, shark, 148
Suckers, 67
Summer flounder, 161
Summer skate, 61
Sunfish, 118, 143
Sunfish, long-eared, 118
Sunfishes, 118
Surmullet, 99
Swellfish, 141
Swelltoad, 141
Swing-tail, 60
Switchtail, 58
Swordfish, 106
Sygnathid», 92
Synodontide, 85
Synodus fceeteus, 85
Ale
Tarpon, 72
Tarpon atlanticus, 72
Tarpons, 72
Tautog, 136
Tautoga onitis, 136
Tautogolabrus adspersus, 135
Ten-pounder, 72
Tetranarce occidentalis, 62
Tetraodontide, 141
Tetrapturus imperator, 106
Thread fish, 111
Thread herring, 54
Thresher, 60
Thresher sharks, 60
Thunnus thynnus, 102
Tilefish, 171
Toadfish, 148
Toadfishes, 148
Toad-grunter, 148
Tomeod, 155
Torpedo, 62
Trachinotus carolinus, 113
Trachinotus fulcatus, 112
COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Trachurops crumenophthal-
mus, 110, 171
Trachurus trachurus, 109
Trichiuride, 105
Trichiurus lepturus, 105
Trigger-fish, 138, 171
Trigger-fishes, 138
Triglide, 147
Triple-tail, 124
Triple-tails, 124
Trout, 83
Trumpet fish, 92
Trunkfish, 140
Trunkfishes, 140
Tunny, 102
Two-spined stickleback, 91
Tylosurus marinus, 87
U.
Ulvaria subbifureata, 151
Urophycis chuss, 158
Urophyeis regius, 157
Urophycis tenuis, 157
Vi
Vomer setipinnis, 111
W.
Weakfish, 130
Whip-tail, 60
White hake, 157
White mullet, 97
White perch, 122
Whiting, 153, 172
Window-pane, 165
Winter flounder, 163
Winter skate, 62
Wolf fish, 152
Wolf fishes, 152
Wrasse-fishes, 135
Wry-mouth, 151
xX.
Xipihas gladius, 106
Xiphide, 106
Wn
Yellow crevallé, 111
Yellow perch, 120
Yellow-tail, 133
Z.
Zoarces anguillaris, 152
Zoarcide, 1
Notes on the Spring and Summer Fishing in Deep Water off
Newport During the Years 1905 - 1909.
BY SUPERINTENDENT E. W. BARNES.
The following data, which have been collected during a period of five years
(1905-1909) are published as a bare record of facts which are interesting and
valuable in themselves, but with no pretense at drawing general conclusions.
As far as it has been possible to obtain accurate information, a statement is made
for each year of the arrival, abundance, and the close of the abundant season,
of several marketable fishes which are caught in the traps off Newport and the
Sakonnet River.
“ce
Following this there are calendars giving in tabular form the “run” of scup,
mackerel, and squiteague for these years. A table is also given of the first appear-
ance of various fishes.
SEASON OF 1905.
Seup. A single scup caught off Seal Rock on May first was the herald of the
scup season in Rhode Island. Then for over a fortnight a few scup were caught
daily until May sixteenth, when the catch was large enough to be spoken of in
terms of barrels. There was a gradual increase in numbers from this time until
‘
the first of June, when the “run” actually began, and for a little over two weeks
hundreds of barrels of seup were caught daily. A large proportion of these fish
were put into pounds to avoid “glutting” the market. Commencing with the
eighteenth of June the catches were light, and the fishing season ended about the
twenty-fifth of June; although for a few days after that fish were shipped from
the pounds. The scup season in 1905 was rather poor, owing partly, perhaps, to
the large run of pollock during the middle of May. As will be seen by the ap-
pended calendar, the scup were late in arriving.
Mackerel (Scomber scombrus). The first appearance was near the mouth of
the Sakonnet River, where one specimen was caught on April twenty-eighth. On
May second a few were caught in offshore traps. The first large catch of mackerel
was landed at Newport on May fourteenth, and amounted to 335 barrels. June
23
178 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
fifth was the commencement of the big run at Newport which reached its height
on June nineteenth. The period of abundance ended June twenty-eighth.
The “Tinker” mackerel began to arrive on the twenty-fifth of June, and on
the sixth and seventh of September the harbor at Newport was full of them.
Weakfish or Squeteague (Cynoscion regalis). The first appearance of the
squiteague off Newport was on June fourteenth, and at the waning of the scup
season there were some good catches in the traps. The culmination period was
about June twenty-first.
SEASON OF 1906.
Secup. The first scup was caught off Coggeshall’s Ledge on April twentieth.
From this time until May first about a half-barrel was caught. On May first the
familiar announcement, “Scups come,’’ was made by the trappers, and ten barrels
were brought in. The catches increased rapidly, and the most abundant period
was from May fifth to June fourth. The season closed about June fifteenth.
A large run of pollock in the middle of May (as in 1905) greatly interfered with
the catch, but these fish left about May twenty-first and the scup-fishing was
accordingly improved.
Mackerel. Four mackerel were caught on the fourth of May, but the first
shipment out of Newport was May fourteenth—of 25 barrels. By May twenty-
fifth the shipments had increased to 300 barrels, and the big “run” commenced
on June fourth, when 1,200 barrels were landed at Newport. The season drew
to a close near the end of July.
“Tinkers” arrived in this year on the fourth of June, somewhat ahead of the
usual time. i
Butter-fish. This year the butter-fish arrived April sixteenth, a very early
date, and fishermen who had been trapping for twenty years or more had seen
nothing like it. The usual appearance is in May, and ordinarily they come after
the scup arrive, but this year the order was reversed. Several good catches
were made in the last part of April and first half of May, and beginning with May
twenty-first they were very plentiful.
Squiteague. The first appearance of weakfish was one straggler on May
fourth. Two days later one-half barrel was caught. The big run was about June
tenth.
Striped Bass. Two striped bass were caught April twenty-first, two weeks
ahead of the usual date. May ninth, 430 pounds were caught.
Sea robins made their first appearance April thirtieth.
Squid came in May fourth, when five barrels were caught in one trap. On this
date squid were worth more than scup.
APPENDIX. 179
SEASON OF 1907.
Seup. Scup did not appear until May second. On this date three were caught.
‘Single catches were then made until May tenth, when one and a half barrels were
caught. There was a rapid improvement in number, and on the fourteenth the
big run began. The culmination date was May twenty-first, and on June tenth
the catches began to diminish. The season closed June twenty-fourth.
The first week in June the fishermen were greatly troubled by the jelly-fish,
which were present in sufficient numbers to clog the nets.
Mackerel. The first mackerel made its appearance on May second, but it was
not until May seventeenth that the first catch was made. On this date 294
barrels were brought in. These fish were quite large and many weighed four
pounds or more and only fifty-five to sixty were required to fill a barrel. The
catches of mackerel then increased steadily, June fourteenth marking the com-
mencement of some very heavy catches. On July first the mackerel-fishing at
Newport was extraordinary; 270 barrels were caught in four single hauls, and
yet many fish were lost because the nets broke with the weight of the fish. The
mackerel-fishing continued good for number of weeks.
The first “tinkers” arrived on June tenth.
Squiteague. Two squitague were caught the twenty-first of May, and from
this date no more were caught until June eighteenth. On this date quite a
“run” began with a catch
number were caught, and on June twenty-fourth the
of 250 barrels. The largest catch of the season was on June twenty-seventh,
when the Fisheries Company caught 300 barrels in one haul. The run of squi-
teague continued good for sometime. :
Butter-fish. The first catch of these fish was on May tenth, when two were
caught. No more were seen until May twenty-fourth. On this date 50 barrels
were caught in one haul.
Other Fish. Three striped bass were caught May second, and on May thir-
teenth they were more plentiful than scup, and twelve were caught in one trap.
The first sea bass was caught May eight.
Sea robins appeared May ninth.
Squid appeared May tenth.
May eighth a salmon weighing 22 pounds was caught by Capt. Petty at Sa-
konnet Point. Nearly every summer one or two small salmon are caught which
weigh from two to three pounds, but it is said that none as large as this one has
been caught in forty years.
180 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
SEASON OF 1908.
Scup. The first scup was reported by Guy Avalone from Coddington Cove on
April twenty-third. Later in the day two more were caught off Coggeshall’s
Ledge. April twenty-seventh the catch was reported by the barrel, and on the
twenty-ninth the “run” began. June third the catches commenced to decrease,
and by June ninth the shipping was mostly from the pounds. Scup were very
abundant this year, especially in the Bay, where more scup were caught than for
many years.
Two heavy storms (one on May eighth and the other on May thirtieth) were
very disastrous to the fishermen. It has been estimated that, besides a great
deal of damage to the gear, 5,000 barrels of fish were lost in the latter storm.
Mackerel. The first mackerel of the season was caught April twenty-seventh.
The customary occasional catches were made until May fourteenth, when 216
were brought in. There was a steady increase until May twenty-fifth, when
400 mackerel were brought in in one day. From this time on there was good
average fishing until July first. The record day was June twentieth, when 86,000
mackerel were brought in. The first “tinker” was caught May twenty-seventh.
Other Fish. Striped bass were first caught on April twenty-fourth, sea robins
on April twenty-fifth, and squid on April twenty-fifth.
Squiteague. Two squiteague were landed on May seventh, and about a month
later, on June sixth, the first barrel was caught. The squiteague season opened
June eleventh.
The first horse mackerel were caught the twenty-fifth of June.
SEASON OF 1909.
Scup. Several scup were caught off Watch Hill April 19-20. April twenty-
first one was taken off Seal Rock. The scup season really began on May first
and closed about June fourteenth. May tenth the scup were very abundant.
Mackerel. April second two mackerel were caught, the first of the season.
May fourth, 42 barrels were shipped from Newport. The first big catch of
mackerel was on May sixteenth, when 500 barrels were caught. May twenty-
fourth nearly 2,000 barrels were landed at Newport, and from this time on until
the end of June there was good fishing.
June seventeenth, “tinkers” first appeared.
Other Fish. Butter-fish appeared April twenty-first and were about as
abundant as usual.
Striped bass also appeared on April twenty-first.
A few very large squiteague were caught May nineteenth. The run began
June seventeenth, when 15 barrels were taken.
APPENDIX. 181
Bluefish were first caught June seventeenth.
Menhaden came into the Bay on June fifth.
On the twenty-eighth of May a 164 pound salmon was caught off Newport.
June 28, 1909, the crew of the Shenandoah, Capt. James Gannon, sighted a
monstrous sea turtle swimming leasurely at the surface. It was captured,
brought to Newport, and placed on exhibition at J. W. Hammond & Co.’s Fish
Market.
This specimen was of the “leather back” or “ Luth” species (Sphargis coriacea),
a sub-tropical form that has been found to occur as far north as Massachusetts
Bay. It was the only one that has been reported off Newport for a number of
years.
The weight and measurements were as follows: weight, 930 pounds; length
of carapace, 6 feet, 9 inches; greatest width, 2 feet, 104 inches; depth, 1 foot,
8 inches.
Calendar of Scup Season off Newport, 1905-1909.
1905. 1906. 1997. 1908. 1909.
irstrappearances.. is. ees sue May 1. April 20. May 2. April 23. | April 19.
RMMACOMMENCES.. v4sscc e ea ce oe May 16. May 1. May 10. | April 29. May 1.
UAT CNS ee ic renstasss ne seers teow sane June 25. June 15. | June 24. June 9. June 14.
Mostrabundamtiirs s sisjec 5 dec clone. June 1 May 5 May 21 April 29 May 10
to to to to to
June 18. June 4. June 10. June 1. June 7.
Calendar of Mackerel Season off Newport, 1905-1909.
1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909.
First caught in traps........... April 28. | May 4. May 2. | April 27. | April 17.
First large shipment from Newport | May 14. | May 14. May 17. May 14. May 4.
Mostiabundamtsece. ss cise oc ane: June5 | June 4 June 11 May 25 May 16
to | to to to to
June 19. June 30. July 5. July 1. July 1.
FUCCOLGKC ayer Fes ane erora eee abil A rseays sirens June 4. July 1. June 20. May 24.
Season ends at Newport......... June 28. | Near end | Near end | Near end | Near mid-
| of July. of July. of July. |dle of July.
182 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Appearance of Tinker Mackerel.
YEAR First APFEARANCE.
Lo OSs Gee eas Sih Soe SMe Grad see Mure BU al June 25.
OG ER nk cin ta OR Ste A Oh UN re to ee UE anal, Cand ine June 4.
MI) 7502 VI Se AMOS SE eee YOR a eee SUE Beat June 10.
OOS: erent, el, he Ek WE Mik Aten cise atta 2 May 27.
LUC TOS SAPP Caan Ae NN LOR putnam ees 5 cn Neo June 17.
Catch of Squiteague in Scup Traps off Newport, 1905-1909.
| |
1905. 1906. | 1907. | 1908. 1909.
| |
| |
““Stragglers’’ first appeared..... June 14. | May 4. | May 21. | May 7. | May 19
Commencement of run.......... June 21. June 10. | June 24, | June 6. | June 17
|
First Appearance of Various Marketable Fish in Traps off Newport.
Butterfish
Striped bass
Sea bass....
1905.
1906. 1907. 1908. 1909.
April 16. May 10 April 28. | April 21.
April 21. May 2. April 24. | April 21.
Ms Pe se: May 8. May 5. May 4.
April 30 May 9 April 27. May 1.
May 4. May 10 April 27. May 1.
Waerstae atehe Soenalltaeatths seonueiets May 8. May 4.
Bay staid trate ele stne bays teers June 25. | June 17.
THE PLAGUE OF SEA CLAMS AT EASTON'S BEACH,
NEWPORT.
On September 11, 1909, your Commissioners received the following
interesting letter from the secretary of the Easton’s Beach Co.:
Easton’s BracH, Newport, R. I.,
Orrick, 10 CATHERINE STREET,
September 10, 1909.
The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries,
State House, Providence, R. I.
GENTLEMEN :—We beg to call your attention to a most extraordinary visitation
of small clams on this beach beginning last April, and only gradually decreasing
in numbers (the total being probably in the millions), in the hope that something
may be done for the benefit of the general public here towards preventing a
repetition of the nuisance.
We sent a few samples of these clams (of one-half inch to one inch in length)
to Professor Alexander Agassiz, who suggested that we might appeal to you in
the matter. He also gave the opinion that probably an examination by dredging
and diving might be necessary to determine what is best to be done.
No one remembers ever seeing these small clams here before. After storms
some large beach-clams have washed up each year, and sometimes a few clams
of about 2 inches to 3 inches in length have been on the beach for a short period
of the summer, but never these small ones. Some of these latter appear to have
grown to a size of 14 inch in length, but thousands more of the smaller ones would
wash up and die in the sun, making a bad odor. We have been carting them to
the east dunes all summer, tons upon tons of them, at large expense and trouble;
until now the arrivals being few, we can keep pretty well ahead of new arrivals
on every tide.
The patrol men have been diving down to the bottom to examine the raft
chains and anchors, in a depth of about six feet at low tide, and report that they
find clams, and sea-weed which they think is growing there, which is unusual.
No one seems to know what sort of clam it is, or whether the young of big clams.
They have already been in banks of over a foot deep on the beach, and should
184 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
they ever grow to the size of big beach clams they would completely barricade
the surf.
If you would kindly advise us in this matter, we would be greatly obliged both
for the public and ourselves, and would be glad to send you samples of these
things.
Yours very truly,
EASTON’S BEACH CO.,
Per F. H. Pains, Secretary.
Mr. Barnes was requested to examine into the matter, and makes
the following report. It is difficult to see how such an occurrence
could be prevented.
Visitors at Newport’s popular beaches during the summer of 1909 had ample
opportunity to be impressed with the astounding productivity ,of the sea as
revealed in the immense number of young sea clams that were piled high upon
the shores.
The easterly storms of early April washed immense numbers of the young sea
clams into the bays along the southern shore of Rhode Island. Particularly at
Easton’s Beach (over a mile in length) the drifts of clam were often 14 inches
deep along the shore, and since the beach clams are vigorous burrowers, the sand
was also filled with them to a depth of about 4 inches. They extended, as far
out from the shore as the life-raft (about 450 feet), at least, and every subsequent
storm drove fresh numbers upon the shore. A good idea of the quantity can be
obtained if one considers the problem confronting the Easton’s Beach Company
in their efforts to dispose of them. The deep piles of clams above the low-tide
mark rapidly dried in the hot summer sun and became a nuisance. The clams
could not be thrown into the water because the surf would only drive them back.
They could not be carted away and buried because a hole large enough to contain
them all would be a tremendous undertaking. They could not be used to fill up
uneven ground because the health officers would not permit such a great mass of
decaying matter to lie exposed.
Still it was impossible, of course, to have them left upon the beach. The plan
finally adopted was to cart them to a comparatively little frequented part of the
beach, heap them up in mounds, and cover them with seaweed and lime. All
through June a cart was kept busily hauling away the shells and live clams; and
from July first to September eighteenth they were continually carted away in
teams. Often as many as 42 loads were hauled away in one day, yet in the last
of September the beach was still slightly covered with them.
EASTON’S BEACH REPORT. 185
These clams first came on the shore in April and were most abundant the last
of June and July. At this time the entire beach was covered with them, and in
large drifts they were fourteen to sixteen inches deep. At first the west end of
the beach was covered deepest, but gradually the great bulk worked along to the
east end. After the fifteenth of August the continued carting had begun to
affect the numbers, though even in September they were abundant.
The question was often raised by the visitors to the beach as to what these
creatures were and where they came from. This species is the true beach clam
(Mactra solidissima). Many persons familiar with beach clams have been deceived
into thinking that it was a different species because the specimens were so small
and uniform in size and did not seem to grow during the summer,
This extraordinary influx of small clams was due not entirely to the particularly
abundant set, but also to the fact that the storms occurred opportunely. There
has always been a bed of large clams of this species in the sand off Easton’s
Beach and even there in the heavy winter storms in windrows upon the shore.
24
CHANGES IN THE LOBSTER REARING APPARATUS AT
WICKFORD IN 1909.
A number of changes in the lobster-rearing apparatus were tried out this
summer in the effort to make the rapidly growing plant easier to operate and
capable of greater extension with the least amount of lost energy in the way of
friction as a result of the motion of the waves on the comparatively slender
framework of the apparatus.
Raising Shaft Beams.
The shaft beams on two of the rafts were elevated high enough to permit the
raising of the hatching-cars entirely out of water without touching the beams.
This got rid of the doors on the side of the cars and consequently the cars were
stronger.
Hoisting Device.
To make the raising of the cars easier a hoisting-gear consisting of a drum and
ratchet gear operated by a handle was put on each of the uprights at the corners
of the cars. This device has proved very satisfactory and saves considerable
time and strength.
Changes in Paddle Connections.
The paddles were adjusted to fit over and rest upon a bearing-stud placed in
the bottom of the car and were connected with the gear shaft by means of a small
square shaft one end of which was united to the paddle shaft by means of an
ordinary pipe-coupling and the upper end fitted into a sleeve-coupling which was
cast with a square hole one end of which received the small square shaft just
mentioned and the other end received the square gear shaft. The sleeve-coupling
was slotted on one side about three-quarters of its length, through which it was
pinned to the shaft. By means of this slot the coupling was allowed to slide
upon the gear shaft to disengage the paddle shaft and when engaging the paddle
shaft by sending down the pin preventing it from slipping off the end.
CHANGES IN LOBSTER REARING. 187
Rajts in Two Pool Units.
The rafts which have previously been built in six-pool sections were tried out
this summer in units of two pools and were found much stronger and easier to
handle. It is intended that the whole plant shall be remodelled to conform to
these plans.
Electric Motor.
The idea of furnishing power to these units by placing a small electric motor
on each raft was partially tried out this summer. This scheme, if economical, is
much better in several particulars. It gets rid of the long line of shafting which
is necessary to transmit power to the extreme rafts. This shafting is constantly
bending by the motion of the waves, while wires necessary to transmit the electric
power can easily have enough slack to allow for all motion, Furthermore, power
can be turned on or off by simply turning a switch. A unit thus established could
be installed wherever there is an electric-lighting system. The apparatus con-
sisted of a 1-H. P. alternating current motor running at 1800 R. M. P., and im-
parts through a worm and gear a speed of 20 R. P. M. to a shaft which in turn,
by means of a beveled gear, givesa speed of 10 R. P. M. to the two paddles of the
unit. On account of delays the scheme was installed too late to be used in the
lobster season, but was tried out sufficiently well to warrant a more thorough
test next year.
i :
Ove,
‘hat
ee
cay Pie
ADDITIONAL NOTES UPON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
LOBSTER.
BY DR. PHILIP B. HADLEY.
PREFACE.
The present work is the culmination of a study of the development
of the American lobster (Homarus americanus). Its aim is to present,
in a series of drawings the most important points in the development
of the appendages and body-form of the lobster as it passes on from
the larval stages into maturity. Drawings of all the appendages in
all the stages are not presented, only those being figured which show
the more important changes in shape or size. In all cases, the aspect
which shows best the most important parts of the appendages has
been represented. All drawings of the appendages were made with
camera lucida, and the magnification is stated in each figure. The
work was done while the writer was investigating problems of the
lobster at the Wickford Experiment Station of the Rhode Island
Commission of Inland Fisheries, and at the biological laboratory of
Brown University. Thanks are especially due to Prof. A. D. Mead,
of Brown University, for the opportunity of carrying on this work,
and for much material assistance.
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is a ify Ov
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eer 'y LEN eae SiR Tile eSTAl "a
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are ar 1 ed Bia) or wd
ed ny Ori Nor GC Aes sp rnin 9
x ‘ a ¢ - - | s i” Ny
ites . Bar 2 Weray A ci bee , .
eon a ue ; oe bbe ee pa N
Ve ee “Y J Ag hi 5o
Ten oy A ory a r - ‘
i my at
te hf ’
a Behar nol ae pa akan 2
Be sik tisncd sate otnlou ie renyee ai
ae eee
ee prlafitun gual odie Ba rnisih ais Ra ane
ye ioniyi'adiad et antler Hen!
4 ja ae Sia
Wei ; ln yop ati vie
‘nthe - ein onhiny ana he i‘ ao |
We Mieke hyn ney Ta mcd iadiieey aS 0
ee, an ev see Nisan Steet hie a A: pepe
a nM Mal fe Se ganar ing
sa aad Spanien aan
BR iy tts sete ek as “ eee ik ice
ne Gee sa eS eae Ny cece Rad te
ie
ate ae eat si ee
oF ial ‘aa ge
SS
Puate 1. First—Srace Losster.
FiGurE 1. Left, first and second antennz from below, M=440. In the first-
stage lobster the first antennz project hardly to the end of the rostrum. The
endopodite which later form the smaller inner branches, have just commenced to
bud off on the inner side of the outer member, or exopodite, and is furnished with
one seta. The exopodite has at its tip several smaller seta. The second an-
tenn at this stage are composed of two parts: a broad leaf-like outer branch,
the exopodite, whose inner margin is curved and furnished with a variable number
of feathered sete, and whose tip has one sharp spine; also a more slender inner
part, the endopodite, which bears sete chiefly at the tip, but whose divisions into
antenne segments has not yet occurred.
FicurE 2. Rightsecond antennz from above, M=50. Description as above.
neraagnl wn ata bers
J stat odd al Gk 1 pmoled moat nuastne bnesge bax seut stot JL savant
a fT atysteor odd to hoe oft of yined dosioiy manedie deat add totadol ogete
OF bsonactesss Jen] svat euloverd tofai vellaqa odd aerot tetel doidw strhoqobms
ditt bedsinwt ui bie stihoqoxs vo “sderond tediso. add Yo shia sand ad ao He bud
+08 baosee od'T sues tollecin levoyse qit att te aed aiboqons od aise ono
dead satu, adil-teol beod — :8naq ov) lo bosoqmos ore oyele aidt Je oangd”
aa) 4jocaure ydsivay es ditw badeimnu) bus bovine a siya ened paode ali\oudte orf!
teank tohoele soc «2 oala. pants quecds oaa aed qld s2odw ban tee bevedtaal ta
oii aecoieivils sac sud a oil ds eRoido silos areed doidw shiqobns sd dang i
Aasine00 doy tom and simenrges pee act
Avode Sead Os M s¥ede most anuetne boson tithe £ amoat
¢ Aw vi, PG OM
i r o r Aa +t . iF
. qh oe eee
Aen] a4 Thu acca
<5 ‘ .
ln ee ee a ae
pci kd
PEAR,
Puate 2. First-Stace Losster.
Ficure 3. Right first maxilla from above, M=125. In the first maxilla the
exopodite is absent, and the endopodite (en) is unjointed. The large plates (b and
c) represent the basipodite and coxopodite respectively.
1s ih Wt
feredol apat@eranT 02
} ‘ Ww F ; e o - Wat? :
wild allizent era odd cel .22L=5 Mh evade meow alltaane death Stal
-hotaiojan ai (9) aWibodabey od} baa toads
mel
"1 y
aah fi» ¢ Y i}
_| cruise htooter Sibecsees Bie aehieiaet SH dag
JENGA
Puate 3. First—-Srace Losster.
Figure 4. Right second maxilla from above, M120. The endopodite (en)
is small, unjointed, and equipped with several long sete. The basipodite (b) and
the coxopodite (c) are lamilla-like, and divided by deep fissures. The exopodite
is absent, its place being taken by the plate-like scaphognathite (d). There is no
gill or podobranch,
fal panei ocelot eee |
Conan see ee
Yi ae NA
det
BATE 3s
Puate 4. First—-Srace Losste|r.
Ficure 5. Right first maxilliped from above, M=125. Here the endopodite
(en) and exopodite (ex) are unjointed. The end of the former is tipped with sev-
eral long setz, while the latter is bordered on the outer side by feathered sete.
The basipodite (b) and the coxopodite (c) are not strongly divided, and form a
large plate (b. c.). The podobranch is absent, but the epipodite (e), which is
thin and plate-like, is strongly developed.
. taresod aparé-ratt 2} erat
atrhomobsrs odd ove fh SUE iewone abiet haailtiedes tou WRAL: a ote:
aves ditw boeurqit ai rorait od to has od Kesaeiy esa Gis) election yas eae
aise borodioal ye able 19100 xt wo borebrod ai taival odd ality snioa grol ais M:
# aot bos ,bohivif vlgaonits dom ote (9) stthoqoxoo odt baw (a) atitoqinnd odh I
ei doiudw (a) siboqign oft sud aaseda ai dowweobog oT {0d} obelq ogtal — ie
hematin mioiisaei criss
PLATE 4.
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i
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t
+
4
.
,
Puate 5. First—Stace Losste|er.
Figure 6. Right second maxilliped from below, M=40. The unjointed
exopodite (en) is shown attached to the basipodite. The basai joint bears the
epipodite and a rudimentary podobranch.
Figure 7. Right third maxilliped from behind, M=—54. The strong and
functional exopodite (ex) with its long feathered sete is shown attached to the
basipodite. The endopodite is relatively weak and is divided into five joints:
ischiopodite, meropodite, carpopodite, propodite, and dactylopodite. Both the
epipodite and the gill (podobranch) are attached to the coxopodite.
Rs of bodonits odie i elton chatsway gaol ati en (z9) bea
‘setaiog ‘avit otal bahiviy vi ‘bar ales ylovitalor ry stsboqobirs edT
ott, tot Sessivoaara are csithoqong stiboqompina _asihoqraie
~
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=
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PLATE 5,
~
Fe cate kin ——
Puate 6. First-Stace LosBster.
Ficure 8. Right cheliped from behind and above, M=37. The strong
functional exopodite (ex) is attached to the basipodite. The endopodite, which is
terminated by a non-functional claw, is comparatively weak,and the end of the
propodite is much shorter than the opposing dactylopodite. ‘The gills (podo-
branchs) are attached to the coxopodite. At this stage there is no differentia-
tion in the two chelipeds of the lobster. The characteristic “nipping” and
“crushing” claws do not appear until the sixth stage. Until that stage, both
claws are alike. The dactyls open upward in a vertical plane and somewhat
outward. In the first stage there are no “teeth” on the dactylopodite or propo-
dite.
i
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.
ei.
at wma! aoateroatt @ apart <f
‘i guguie adl .7hzc Mo avede bas boitod most hogtlodts seit 4A sacar j
( ahalgida sithooobin oT ottnogixnd oitvot hodvetts af (xe) atvhoqoxs lauoitoml ~ 7
add. te bie of3 bax aleow yloviteraqeioo ui walo lanotteaut-non = ¥¢ helatienah
x ~awor) allig oT altboqolynnh gaieoqqo odd medi tetioda dou ai otthoqangy =
5 -sidurofif on ai avert ogeta 2idt tA stbhoqoxoo off of bodasite ma (dorm 7
bas “anitqgin’ sitzhotesrads odT .1atadol odt lo aboqilods owt oxii of avis
diod jagaie jadt iin ogeda dixia od? feu teaqqe toa ob awalo “gaitara” 67
jedwomoa bas saslq Iesittav 2 ai brewqu coqo alydosh off oolile ote awaly
-aqerg 70 oibogolytonb edd ao “sdeat™ on ora sod? ogete teri edi ol navine, 7)
iy i
‘,
GACH Ge
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o i \y
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t ii
vy f- 7
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i ~
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-
Puate 7. First-Stace Losster.
Figure 9. Right second walking leg from behind, M46. The strong,
functional exopodite is attached to the basipodite. The first two pairs of walking
legs are equipped with non-functional claws which are somewhat smaller than
the chelz, and are but slightly functional in this stage. They are tipped with
long stout spines. The epipodite and podobranchs are shown attached to the
coxopodite. The second pair of walking legs have the same general structure
as the first pair.
staal nonnerasn a are ie
gosta, off Ob=M shatdoa uiogh aol auiliew Gaoned adalat | &
. ee ows det att PAD ee
x oF ‘badlbls ie erie atonondobog: baw aicaien oft alae ioe
eiursutia theron AnuRe oid ‘ovad shows mame to tg ‘baoosa aa oie:
.
PLATE
PuatTe 8 First—-Strace Losster.
Ficure 10. Right third leg from behind, M==50. The strong functional
exopodite is shown attached to the basipodite. The endopodite is comparatively
weak. The propodite has not grown out to form a claw with the opposing dactyl.
The latter is tipped with a long spine. The gills and epipodite are shown at
tached to the coxopodite.
staredol apare-reahd & aaa
lpnotiona) yaoa oft 0G Mi pitied mort yol tiidt ain > OL agoml
Cavitaseqion ai stihuqobys adT otibeqiend oft of boituaits awoids af sthoqany %
Jighob gaizogqo aii ditty wale & anol of tuo aworg ton aad aiboqorg od claaw he r ;
ts awude via otbogiqs bas ellig odT be piol # diiw beqait Ht sahtel oh
ivboqones ot oF borden
IgA Ss
Wf)
j r> f
“ J oe r
yan Ne
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, Va
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PuaTE 9. SEconp-StTacE LosBsteEr.
Figure 11. Right first antenna from inside and above, M=48. In the sec-
ond-stage lobsters the inner rami of the first pair of antenne have grown out from
the buds existing in the previous stage to half the lengths of the exopodites. The
latter have developed along the inner margin a line of olfactory sete. Slight
trace of segmentation is sometimes visible in both branches in this stage. The
position of the auditory sack is suggested in the basal joint.
FicurE 12. Right second antenna from above, M=40. By this second
stage the endopodites of the second pair of antennz have grown out to more than
equal in length the broad, leaf-like exopodites and traces of segmentation are more
frequently visible.
Ficure 13. Right mandible from inside, M=80. The endopodite or palpus
is shown arising from the body of the mandible or propodite. The present
mandible was taken from a lobster which was about to moult, and the body of
the mandible is shown as it begins to draw away from the purely chitinous
covering.
co Aiboadnparily ss rpitbom eciiye s
¥
wae ‘ gtioe ies to oni w chain. romtad xd tei bodalovab oe
a
ipalbosa aid vA Obi ata seed eunwine Peaeer bgist
~ padi aoc: of tao awory oved munstos To tieg brads oilt ba abso ld
| mot oa isang sont bag tha oll oe a geal i
+
ae 40 jotes od? | 0422M spinon dle aldbbmein uigist,
— taoesty aif stthogory to ‘oldibaaca adt to hod old mont: vite
to ybod ail hie jlnon ot ivoda saw doidw sotedol anor wala acer
PLATE 9.
Puate 10. Sreconp-Stacr Losster.
Ficure 14. Right first maxilla from above, M@=80. This appendage has
changed little since the first stage.
Ficure 15 Right second maxilla from the inside, M=76. The appearance
is much the same as in the first stage.
De ah ON Salta ett ooh oc
LAN WG ES =
LE Cas =
SKE
K<=
S ee “fl Le 7 #5 OLE ZN " R:
STS 067 f een . SS
RS
S
nS
PLATE 10.
.
‘
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si i.
‘a i” i.
Dy f
(5 ‘
;
t ‘ i
\
\
a
/
. >
'
Puate 11. Sreconp-Srace Logpster.
Figure 16. Right first maxilliped from inside, M=58. Here the endopodite
(en) has one joint. The exopodite is unjointed. The general appearance is as
in the first stage.
Figure 17. Right second maxilliped from inside, M=60. The general ap-
pearance is as in the first stage. A trace of segmentation is sometimes visible
at the end of the*eropodite.
Marie, Wa Rae seated ya ube ee 7 WA
Yass ry fo ania f
| dw te
: ; ty tu
- y
novel apevendneoae OY arast ay ews:
aVshoqolues off or Adc: jobiant isork boaillixers 4218 right Af amyord, We a
a6 ai donmwogds lunoney et’) -betaliop vi stiwaqoss fT walol cae and (9) a
onets senit add al ;
-qe lersneg oT .00=-M yobleat erovh hoqiflixent boone sighs A ncrert if .
aldisiv eomitomoe ai noitedavarges lo oostt A coutta taut odt ni an at poaeiesg L
A
stiboqoryodd To bas edd te
-
‘
7
,
‘
‘
>
i
t i ee
ee y ‘
‘ i
A ’
ha ‘
at j }
eat
Pa :
4
y
ny 7
Ls
: i
PLATE 11,
= —~
Se
wo Cay ye
~ A “9
SNe mld
of Sas 24
~ Ya tf ~
eae hs se peo
SoS Pre
Sf Em, he os
at ey ma
i= = a
2 ee”
A - =
PAKS ~
Ne ey
> —
»
Puate 12. Srconp-Strace Losster.
Figure 18. Right third maxilliped from behind and above, M=—44. The
exopodite is still functional, but the endopodite is relatively larger and stronger
than in the first-stage larve.
er
“
f
PmAmE 12%
PuaTe 13. SErconp-StaGE LOBSTER.
Figure 19. Right cheliped from behind, M=22. The functional exopodite
is still attached to the basipodite, but the endopodite is relatively larger and
stronger than in the first stage. The end of the propodite nearly equals in length
the opposing dactylopodite. The claw itself is better formed than in the first
stage, although in the second it is hardly more functional. The podobranch and
epipodite are attached to the coxopodite. In this stage is shown the beginning of
the torsion of the claw, of which the dactyl in the first stage opened vertically
upward and somewhat outward. For further references see Herrick,* and Emmel.+
*F. H. Herrick, Biol. Bull., 1905, IX. 130-137.
+ V. E. Emmel, Journal of Exper. Zodl. 1906, IV, 603-618. In this paper Emmel shows the
interesting parallel between the torsion in the development of the chela through the stages,
and the torsion in the development of the claw during regeneration.
: " arti NLS My
- ja é m P
Z Te Raa cao 62 rary
“ stihequss leavidwiul aff SS=7M bnuted mort tiegiieds tale Of aoe 9
> han spint ylordaler of attboqotine oF Jud withodiend od? of Bedostia Lite ei
>) sitgrel ni alaings' vised Milwqoar oft te bas edt ogee tnt ot i aedd- ssgttonta 5
> Sead adt ai sad) hoemiot toiled ai Yoatt waly ed atihecqolytonh yalzongo old
( bute Asnetiohoy od ferottonut som gba ai #1 baad oft ni darrodale (sgate
pi to yrlaniged add aworta a enata sidt ol attboqono: oft ot bedonits ove atshogiye |
yllnoitioy heasqe sgate tai ad? ni Wgtonk odd doidw to walo-odt Io noimot odd
tlocard bon * ome aan evoneroios tod) 101. .brxwive sactwontoe has bieegi
AE Re tm ae AR ER Oe en Cm a AG ee a a ae AS en el ent png an
REL-GEL KL AO! | Sut lol pfohaslt AL
ests swore fom’ touery cid al 810-208 VT 200% Kio segx® to Init ioctl Yt Ba
Moneta odfdayords alae sd} te Josmrqolsreb ods ai goivra! eds asewlod lsilreq yoimewsai
nian chad nanan ts arma uadedewacbc pani 25) Shry: <!
EL |
us fe
f
(
xX
4 ¥
j
. I ‘g Py i
oA ae
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=| He hy
a, : AZ
Wig ee
IPRA 13:
.
Puate 14. Srconp Stace LOBSTER.
Ficure 20. Right first walking leg from behind, M=41. The ezopodite is
still strong and functional, while the endopodite is but slightly more developed
than in the first stage. The claw is somewhat better formed, and the opposing
end of the propodite is relatively longer. There are as yet no “teeth” on the
inner edges of either. While a torsion has affected the chele, causing the dactyls
to open upward in a vertical plane and somewhat inward, the dactyls of the
claws of the walking legs still open upward and slightly outward.
“aataiod OAT mene vd rout
4 téboagns ot het basset fend ae eiiasie as adaia’! os ie
“booker emtuiett afsedyils dint al atitrongahat, wilt slide Jinevwtdomd Bae guiotet
Lailepaqn, dd baw bacsteh ai tod hadigined ti wale oft sista: Joti old nd
adi de “stead” an toy Be ote. atoll Angtol vlovitnien ef stibogwrs, ott
alyioals oft gains yailoda odt botnoe aul coleiod n off saddio to zeyba road ©
seals fo elgioeh grt Lawn tadweannoe foray tial Inyitioy a ih bray ston of ay:
. stnnntito wae bce eree fon stb atte ot hast
20
Pram 145
Puate 15. Srconp-StacGe LOBSTER.
Figure 21. Right third walking leg from behind, M=40. This appendage
is, in most respects, similar to that of the first-stage lobster. Here is shown a
further stage in the progressive development of the gills, which takes place through
the early stages.
-seewaniot se aa: a mat
Ngitintern' alow: OEM ‘docs sabes ipa glliaesatk Coane tt
w meade 6 iro stadt speed of sao aon ns
ee
Ia DTP LIN
SST
21
PEATE 15:
Puate 16. Trrrpo-Stace Lopster.
Ficure 22. (Second Stage.) Right third abdominal appendage (pleopod)
from before, M=87. ‘The pleopods of the second, third, fourth and fifth abdom-
inal segments appear first, but in a non-functional state, in the second stage.
Ficure 23. Right first antenna from above, M=—48. In the third stage the
segmentation of both exopodite and endopodite are clearly marked. The basal
joint is of peculiar form and, the position of the auditory sac is suggested.
Figure 24. Right second antenna from above, M=40. By the third stage
the endopodite has grown out to exceed in length the exopodite. The former
shows distinct traces of segmentation, and sete have appeared between the seg-
‘ments. In this specimen the retraction of the body of the antenna due to the
beginning of the moulting process is shown.
mag soar clay OY raat
(hoqoakd) oyshmoqan. fusiicodda buds dfgiat Lannie boas) Se aaa
rmobde aR baa Masod bids dncres ail} to cleqnalg odt 82M noted mont : 4
ogete brrives oct mi onde lecoitnay}-on aided teiinogye Blasorges Lent) ay
odd omate Laid? oft We RLSM eves orott anosite jer Sty es savor) |
feaeid off Darkane xfsobly 416 olviogohay how weheeoes deh to ames oes
bodanuguan gua prosibue sft Yo soi jieod od} bok mao) teiltioed t6 8i Satoy/ >
‘yore biidd oft yf Oba M vod mot? eonetite Orono digi +e aaa
toustot adh athhogosy odt dined at bseske of duo cavrg ved oihorohns orb |
yoo old eatin! borsdque oved “hor baw ak bia 6 ope Jomisatty andy a 4
24
PLATE 16.
Puate 17. Turrp-Stace Losster.
FIGURE 25. Right mandible from inside, M=about 60. The palpus or en-
dopodite is now two-jointed. The inside edge of the cutting teeth shown; also
the strong mandibular muscle.
Figure 26. Right first maxilla from above, M75. In the basipodite and
coxopodite is shown the retraction of the body of the maxilla due to moulting.
The endopodite has now one joint.
BEARS Pubaiy ak om 12 - ny sks hi es
if | Arenal wpate-aaaT TL wract
m
a “i uo avaleg dP .00 dundg=M aiteat mont oidithanes tigi Of iain
" wale smyode diag? gaiiivo odd Yo oghe obiasi od baidioj-owd won a Onn
y sloarn valudibnest gnowe od)
bute ulihoqieiad aid Hk (S\-nM ,oveds mort eilixann ter adgigh OS er
M gaithionr: Gt sub altixain odd do vbod add to nolisatian od? avoda ul sMiberqanes |
i Alo sao wor ead si tek Biiit
7
‘ { ‘
i 4 a
At a
, Pee
% Ae ao
#) : '
1
4; ;
:” >
a : i < Hi
‘ wii
raat
Te
A al |
$ PX
ie
+,
a:
PAVE lize
mv]
Puate 18. TxHrrp-Stace LosstTeEr.
Figure 27. Right second maxilla from inside, M@=80. The general appear-
ance is the same as that of the second stage.
y se
. at
‘if
eye aah
-
¥ i;
Spal Imovaay os Abe M abend on alts Wore tata
EAT
PLATE 18.
} is
hae
;
t \
;
‘(far
4 J
aS
‘
Puatre 19. THirp-Stracre Losste|r.
Figure 28. Right first maxilliped from inside, M—86. The general ap-
pearance is as in the second stage. The tegumental glands are shown in the broad
leaf-like basipodite.
+ . i on
gi eocerg oY = M jobloed ont acllance text Adptit BS
Biot oc rte ame aba ahaa 9G ote haooe id a
|
¥
I
PLATE 19;
Puate 20 Tuirp-Stace LosBster.
FiGuRE 29. Right second maxilliped from the inside, M=56. Segmentation
at the end of the exopodite is more clearly shown than in the previous stage.
ri
EES
We
4 aes
Pe Bie’ ™
ie
Hay TH
») $
cna,
Aloe
JN he
i
(oN
N'\ &
Ups SS
Zz — ie
EA
fa
N\\\\
\
—-
gee
ZL
Zo
Z
YZ
Lj;
Z Fj
ae.
ZZ,
Le
g\
WANG
= \N \\;
BX Bie
7
[Lf ———— “$0
— Zo
29
RGA 20:
=
Puate 21. Tuirp-STacGe LoBstTer.
Figure 30. Right third maxilliped from behind, M=38. The appearance
is similar to that of the second stage. Here the teeth bordering the anterior
margin of the ischiopodite are suggested. The podobranch and the epipodite
are developing toward the adult structural type.
sated Koare-aniwT tS eras
soomnsqae off 26-2 jbuided rao bsatttizerr bell skoist 06 aauort
stihogiqn oft baw donyWohog of? cboterggre nin sitboqgribat edt Jo abneal >)
ogy lewtanrids Hobe od} trewot gdiqolaveb om ue
PLATE 21.
PuatTEe 22. Tuirp-Stace Losster.
Ficure 31. Right cheliped from behind, M27. The ezopodite is still
strongly functional, but the claw, or chela, has further developed and the whole
endopodite is stronger. In this stage is noticed especially the beginning of that
torsion of the claw which, by the fourth stage, brings the dactyl to open toward
the inside in a nearly horizontal plane.
maradot abaré-asueal So araat
litda af otibogena sit \VSa=0M .Aatdsd mot beqtteds tigi (16 aay
slody adt base bagoloyah vedi aed alors 10 wale adi dud eaditoaut ylynotis
Jads to anioniyad edt ylsisoyss hositon ef ogede sidt nl saynonle ab stvhoqobng
biewot asqo of hwinnk odd ageiid ogeta diasot oft yd doidw walo odd to noiecd
ouslq intsoxiiod yfroon & ai obiani ads |
PLATE 22:
Puate 23. Tuirp-Stace Lopster.
FicgurE 32. Right second walking leg from behind, M=27. The exopodite
is still functional, and the chelz are slightly functional in the third stage. The
inner edge of the propodite and of the dactyl have a suggestion of teeth. The
projecting propodite is relatively longer than in the preceding stage. The dactyl
opens upward in a vertical plane and slightly outward, a position which is main-
tained in the adult stage.
waredod aoate-aah 8 ataid
gtbogens at? WGocM belied soni? get gatdiaw boos tiga £6 aga l
O8T oyass tite wht ai letoitead), yitdyila om ated odd boa danokioan? Bite ai
aii” .diese) to collvemnte «2 oved Wwiph adi to bos svingen of? to ophe wal
Woh adt .opete peibesarg edt at aeds roxadl ylovitelstai sihoainy yniloojaig
“iting pi doidw avitigo @ brewiue vdilgila bie santa lasitey 2 ui biawger waaqe
‘ogata stubs add nd basting, 24
i=
= a 3
cet ae er,
PLaTE 24. Tuirp-Srace Lospster.
Ficure 33. Right fourth walking leg from behind, M=—16. The endopodite
is relatively stronger than in the preceding stage.
Ye,
Wil
: if
te Hy
\ i ae ev
Wy, 4 SOC SB
as SN Ys
YY YY.
&
i
\ i
\\ 1
BA\\h “,
RS SY
AY %,
SI Sf
7
Nn J
ig A re
as (A
a
PLATE 24:
Puate 25. Tuirp-StraGe Losster.
Figure 34. Right fourth abdominal appendage from behind, M—=55. The
pleopods are larger, stronger and more blade-like than in the second stage. They
are not yet functional, but are thinly furnished along the edge with sete.
Ficure 35. Right sixth abdominal appendage from above, M=45.
ne
MEROL SIAR HIRE AS aes
adv: Bese bedded. avo) sanbaayes dealorobda dyinod tay obo -aaverd
yet? .ayete baooss ont ni ads odil-obald viomt.boa igaota otal sie shoqosle |
aoa détw sgbs od? yaole badaiaaut ylaids oe dif Jecotount Jey, Ida ats
at== Ml javede uot exabasqge Inaimtobds dixie Scat of anvor't
Puate 26. Fourta—-StTace LoBstTer.
Figure 36. Right first antenna from above, M=30. In the fourth stage
the inner branch, or endopodite, is distinctly segmented and is slightly longer than
the exopodite, which is also distinctly segmented and bears along the inner edge
the olfactory sete. Throughout the life of the lobster the outer branch remains
larger and stouter than the inner.
Figure 37. Right second antenna from above, M=15. The cramped
segments of the endopodite which were shown in Fig. 24, Pl. 16, have expanded
to form a long lash, while the exopodite has degenerated to an equal extent.
foradol aoare “menor Ag wast
‘ < = Z ay
See ==, Z
ay =
y
iy
PGAT EH OG:
Piate 27. Fourtu-StaGe LoBster.
FicurE 38. Right second antenna from below, M=18. See description of
figure 37. The endopodite is represented cut off.
Figure 39. Right mandible seen from the inside and above, M=—65. The
palpus has further developed since the third stage, and the toothed part of the
mandible has become hard through the absorption of lime salts from the water.
The same is true of other parts of the exoskeleton.
mt
“om
sian 9
Die
r aan
| | ort baad oxconad ani
cts tan K (pe
NEN
Ay
\\\
AG
PTA 2
SS
SA “ \
= a H(|
PLATE 28. FourtH-Strace Losster.
Ficure 40. Right first maxilla from outer side, M=75. The condition is
much the same as in the third stage, save for the bend in the endopodite.
y
i
4
a
a4
PLATE 28.
.
{
{
Z
\ Cr
\ \"¢
we \%
( A TORT
{ t . if
. : iyi
\ J.
C vy V/.
; < .
1 A
t 1 ‘
-
‘i
‘ .
‘
‘4
, ad oJ
’
‘ ‘
° ‘
‘
’
‘
e ¥
Ad
U
'
‘4
’
.
.
/
Puate 29. FourtrH-Stacre Losster.
Figure 41. Right second maxilla from inside, M—60. Except for the change
in the shape of the scaphognathite, and the slight elongation of the endopodite, the
condition is much as in the third stage.
flan std Sloat 00M baat mon altenen buodo Mit
e “oh ioc a Yo moidagaols tila ot an
PLATE 29.
Puate 30. Fourta—-Stacrt Losster.
Figure 42. Right first maxilliped from inside, M=68. There has occurred,
since the third stage, a slight change in the shape of the exopodite and endopodite,
together with a modification in the eprpodite. The tegumental glands are seen
in the basipodite.
ada oS
eo
42
PLATE 380,
Puate 31. Fourtrs—-Srace Losster.
Figure 43. Right second maxilliped from above and inside, M=38. This
figure shows a continued modification of the exopodite which remains functional.
The podobranch and the epipodite have undergone further development from the
third stage.
Figure 44. Right third maxilliped from above and in front, M=32. This
figure shows the exopodite, which, though slightly degenerated in structure, still
remains functional; also the teeth on the inner margin of the zschiopodite. The
podobranch and the epipodite have undergone further development.
‘ neeaos soaatesront te sat
ai aitinean ae aor a to. iouisedeiadare jaouitdes F nae
a mort tne yee Bp teh Bee ovad ati odd bite Aoitnndobor 7
& 4
res
Coie oie eae sani ot) vr Mtaed pees taste Sot
gt
en ta baa rei: ee siboregy oe bund
\
;
(li
3
Js 6
43
PLATE 31.
\) |
|
y
Puate 32. FourtH-Sracet Losster.
Figure 45. Right cheliped seen from above and in front, M=15. Here is
observed the culmination of the process of torsion which began in the second
stage. The dactyl of the claw now opens inward horizontally, not vertically
upward, and slightly outward as in the first-stage larve. Tactile hairs are shown
on the propodite and on the dactyl. The non-functional rudiment of the exopo-
dite is seen still attached to the basipodite. The coxopoditic sete show above
the podobranch, which together with the epipodite is developed beyond the point
of the third stage.
anverod woane-ietvell LB aract
Ot Boot: 7 eh (itt ink Rnd ovode mort Hees bogiiads Adutt— Ob a
S obubgee: arlt tt. coayedh dajsla mowed hi asavendy add to aoltsatnilir ont Shale
; gileabtenr Joo efloimrestved fvawet sangqo wor welo dt lo fysooh ol? une
aK ; “aire. ora esiad ofisonl | apan! agata-ietit. od? at aa biewiso vitdaile bax inawaic "
© Som she 91 Jodaomiber Lavoitaaut-mon adL Syionb od 10 bee stiboqoty edt #0 14
\ ave wode tee aitihogoxon vill atiboqiend edt of bodaaiie Mids nase ai ath 7
: nae ‘oath boyd hogalaveb et alvboqins ot ddiw soddogat doidw elowdobeq, aekt | ee
45
PLATE 32,
Pruate 33. Fourts—-Sracre Losster.
Figure 46. Right second walking leg from behind, M=23. The walking
legs of the fourth-stage lobster have elongated. The exopodite is reduced to a
rudiment, still attached to the basipodite, but non-functional. The claw has now
reached nearly the adult structural type, but the dactyl, which in the chelipeds
underwent a torsion through about 99 degrees, still opens upward and slightly
outward. The podobranchs have further developed, and coxopoditic setr are
present.
Figure 47. Right third walking leg from behind, M=23. Except for the
spike-like dactyl, the conditions are the same as in the case described above.
ae 4 ‘of booithwn ai ‘tiliog ar ol “eligible and tatodtol ogudertoniel | old hk
re and at way edt A paatisnull teen sith opens 8 ort’ ‘pb. fovfoaita, ‘this quer
a ans’ rio frogaleob ‘oat ved | ang on ‘
is ohh i , i / ‘ ; ee 87 tae SaaT
POT tesa. ee: oie "paslitiut er “at aaene pitas Mate
pee pedis sand bins ist ih gern 7. va cipal orld Sia
\
Ne
‘ »
:
iY
Jay
;
oY Js
ye .
‘ :
.
\
a
4s
x s
i
, ,
.
’ -
Pruatr 34. Fourts—-Strace Los,ster.
Figure 48. Right second abdominal appendage (pleopod) seen from behind,
M=29. The endopodite and exopodite have become more blade-like than in the
third stage, and are now strongly functional. Their edges are fringed with long
feathered sete.
Figure 49. Right sixth abdominal appendage from above, M=30. Both
the exopodite and endopodite are larger and stronger than in the third stage.
They are fringed about the edge with a thick mat of feathered sete.
awmaal avavé-nraveot $8 arasT
| re ms
. ie dita bogaiti 918 eogbo tigdT Lenoitonsst iaaonds won oe Hee a brid hae
Pr
1A
mp
EK 3
34
Cn
Puates XXVI anp XXVII. Tue First-Stace LOBSTER.
The first-stage larva at the age of three days has a length of about 8mm. The
accompanying figure shows the larva in the normal swimming position with the
abdomen bent at an angle of about forty-five degrees from the plane of the cep-
halo-thorax, which is in turn bent about forty-five degrees from the horizontal.
The eyes are large and prominent. The thoracic appendages bear the swimming
attachments, the exopodites, by whose rapid vibratory strokes the larva is kept
up in the water, and by whose motion, backward or forward, the movement of the
lobster is accomplished. The abdominal appendages have not yet appeared,
though they often may be seen as buds beneath the cuticle on the under side of
the abdomen. The tail or telson has the shape of a simple fan, whose posterior
margin is bordered by short spine-like setz.
ysiea 8 Suoda Yo dtyaal 6 end ayeb seid? Yo sya od te aval agate ter? oc
id dtiw ngitivod gateative feorton alt ai ayral add awode onigt gaiyaaqaionan
aay odt Yo onsly ad} ator? aseraah avilegiiol tuode to alysia a de dud aon
dusaonizos add sox) aoargoh oviieehot iuods daed lel ab ai elt —
al acste dak alepol mts acacia wath coat noalt 1. i od'T sngntob ida
Puates XXVIII anp XXIX. Srconp-Stace Logster.
The appearance of the larva in this stage is similar to that of the first stage.
The eyes, however, are relatively smaller, the thoracic appendages are further
developed, and the abdominal appendages have appeared on the under side of
the abdomen. The tail is still broad and fan-like. At the age of six days the
second-stage larva is about 9.5 mm. long.
Pirates XXX anp XXXI. Turrp-Stacr Logster.
The third-stage larva, at the age of nine days, is usually about 11.5 mm. in
length. The antenne and the thoracic appendages have continued to develop.
The torsion of the claws of the chelipeds is not well shown in these figures. The
appearance of the appendages on the sixth abdominal segment are shown, to-
gether with the modification of the tail-fan.
capes? peRK ana KK erst ‘
a abt suode vies ai gageb ats 40 oan oat a r ‘ f
obit esate: vest sopabuioans dy baa aaastas ott
Pruate XXXII. Fourta-Strace Losster.
The fourth-stage lobster at the age of fourteen days is about 14.3 mm. in length,
The chief modifications in this stage are the great change in the body-form, and
in detail, the following: the extension of the endopodites of the second antenne;
the relative small size of the eyes; the great development of the chelipeds; the
loss of the exopodites, or swimming attachments of the thoracic appendages;
the presence of functioning pleopods on the under side of the second, third, fourth
and fifth abdominal segments; the relative small size of the telson, compared
with the appendages of the sixth abdominal segment. The reproductive ap-
pendages do not appear on the under side of the first abdominal segment (in male)
until about the eighth stage. The atrophied stumps of the exopodites of the
thoracic appendages do not appear in the drawing.
meragent aaaaee-ievaniol LEAKE. atest
aigad gi mre £40 Jrods af ayab avatiiot to ega odt dy wajadol sgnta-chiwot olT
heta catrot-ybod aft ct ogaado Jao edd gus santa aude al snoitaoiibour toile ofT |
peitasiis bounes att io attbouobits oft lo coimiuaixg alt sgaiwollot sd? lisdeb oi !
att yebsatisids oft to tuscaqolavab teory adit yasyo oft Yo onia [ape avitgler ont
jesnebasqda siomadt odd hx atoontdeste salinosiva to autthoqoxs odd to enol
digsot brid) baoosa odd lo sbi wbaw odd co shoqgoslg Soiaoioaut lo ssaeesig odd.
hmeqcos coast edt to ose Hams ovitaler sd? jatnemyse lenimobds da hae
-qn sviowhoger afl dnonrgse lanirobds dixie odi 1 eenshasqqe odd ative
(alison ai) dnoorgce lanicrobds Jerd oft to shia isbau ott ao seed qe ton ob esupbasy
ad Yo wtthouess edt Jo sysuta beifqone off .onete didgis odd tuods figs
sguiwaik od? si tasqas dou ob aegabaogae sisstodd
Puate XXXIII. Youne Mate Losster
The length of this young adult lobster was 65 mm., and the age approximately
fourteen months. The lashes, or endopodites,of the second antenne are longer
than in the fourth stage—usually longer than the body. The chelipeds are dif-
ferentiated, after the fifth stage, into the “nipping” and “crushing” claws, re-
spectively. The atrophied stumps of the exopodites disappear from the thoracic
appendages (except in the second and third maxillipeds) after the fifth stage.
qavenod asa owe’ JURA, waa
Yistavricorg qe oun oct bad yt 66 enw rotadol dhibe gavoy edi to digael od
' toungl wie atielias hiroved dd hie tiboqohns to esdaal odT Jaricorn aoatyot
ify ote elioqilado aT ybed ail? nell? vyaol qlavan——ogeta’ duvet ont nb madd,
07 awals “ahideats” ban “untiyla® odd adel opate dita adt 2ofe \boteitagiet ik
- onrods sdlavmutt wdeqqaaib astthoqots off lo eqatuty boidqonts sdf —-glovitoage” a
sqeie dsil orld rotta Cabagillicait biidd baa badssa off nl 3q90%) seyahraqqs |
it
fos
Pirate XXXIV. Otp Mare LossteEr.
This specimen, whose age can not be accurately estimated, but can not be
less than sixteen or eighteen years, was taken from a fish trap in the southern
part of Narragansett Bay, where it had become entangled in the meshes. The
massive crushing claw was larger than the whole cephalo-thorax, and shows well
the development of the two great tubercles which, in the case of aged lobsters,
alone remain. The cephalo-thorax was broad, but the head portion narrow.
The eyes were small, scarcely larger than shoe buttons. The appendages were
all intact, but much worn and stubby. The exoskeleton was extremely thick and
heavy, deeply scarred, and beset with barnacles and molluscs, several of which
had grown into the articular membranes between the joints of the chelipeds.
= oe: aid uh Dayana sartusad nee ti ono seat get oe
rene poling ‘basil ealt iid and ne’ ANT att sige trols
a sv een
vive vogabaayqe ote weuontssd ood snd ‘natal ylowinge linea sa 6
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CLAM SET.
The clam set and clam planting in the late summer of 1909 revealed an almost
entire absence of sets on both shores from Field’s Point southward to the Bonnet.
Only a very few small areas even had what might be called a fairly good set, and
only one place had a very abundant set and that was on the southerly shore of
Field’s Point. Here on September 29th a parcel of shore about the area of an
acre contained in an average bit of soil (one foot square and 4 inches deep) 289
clams measuring about one-half inch in length, and the entire mess of clams
measuring a pint and a half. From this parcel of shore the following places were
planted: Kickemuit River, 16 bushels, on about one acre; Dyer’s Island, 8
bushels on about one-quarter acre; Cornelius Island, 24 bushels on one and one-
half acres; Point Judith Pond, one-half bushel, scattered.
E. W. BARNES.
s
> ' 7 . y
i ink ay VU - al tt et. aay eel eee eh reg wiaitsty find! rics Ee} eet
- de
‘ - ‘ i
ial t! a Pay eet me RE Lote ie A of C19) Pata be ee
fan ; y ' & i
P :
(2. ee
sae f= ae ae ab Atal deitect Ista ay oa ee Rha, 2
+
J Ls
eh, gia Al) oe gtkau tell ae dee i, pia igi ati (yh cali ee
i.
“% 5
Be say. 1 tA, isin, Siac ts aie buss: AL oe Seah A sf
gidy AL Derine aablh gy: Beaty a Ns de Ma Hie ri zee! ‘is
ver Alia AD i Pe hay bor Haplecet init Kear
sh Galihaith Sui, vin ree uta vd), be shisha “ia ole
1S ET RLY cr estaba He pte beat erent Fi
* ie oor as alia Ak: hinted Sesame) ui y ee ay
0 Ta, eit, lanl shat itt ah ie me ye
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
JANUARY SESSION, 1909.
CHAPTER 437.
AN ACT IN SUBSTITUTION OF CHAPTER 969 OF THE
PUBLIC LAWS, PASSED AT THE JANUARY SES-—
SION, A. D. 1902, ENTITLED, “‘AN ACT IN SUBSTI-—
TUTION OF CHAPTER 857 OF THE PUBLIC LAWS,
PASSED AT THE JANUARY SESSION, A. D. 1901,
ENTITLED ‘AN ACT FOR THE BETTER PROTEC-
TION OF THE LOBSTER FISHERIES.’ ”
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
Section 1. No person, either as principal, agent, or servant,
shall, at any time, catch or take any lobster from any of the
waters in the jurisdiction of this state, or place, set, keep, main-
tain, supervise, lift, raise, or draw in or from any of said waters,
or cause to be placed, set, kept, maintained, supervised, lifted,
raised, or drawn in or from any of said waters, any pot or other
contrivance designed or adapted for the catching or taking of
_ lobsters, unless licensed so to do as hereinafter provided. Every
person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section
shall be fined twenty dollars or be imprisoned not more than
thirty days, or both, for each such offence.
Sec. 2. The commissioners of inland fisheries may grant or
refuse to grant licenses to catch and take lobsters from the
waters within the jurisdiction of this state (in the manner, at the
times, and subject to the regulations provided in this act), to
such citizens of this state as have resided in this state for at
25
Passed May 7,
1909.
Penalty for
catching, pos-
sessing, etc.,
any lobsters,
unless licensed
so to do,
To whom li-
censes may be
granted.
194
Each person
licensed under
the provisions
of this act shall
at all times
while engaged
in pursuit so
licensed wear
upon his per-
son the badge
issued him.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
least one year next preceding the granting of such license, as
they may think proper. Whenever any such license shall be
granted, the same shall be granted to expire on the 15th day of
November next succeeding the granting of the same, unless
sooner revoked as hereinafter provided, and each person to
whom such license shall be granted shall, for each license, pay
to said commissioners the sum of five dollars for the use of the
state. Said commissioners, in their annual report to the general
assembly, shall state the number of licenses granted, with the
names of the persons licensed and the amount of money received
therefor. Said commissioners shall issue to each person licensed
as aforesaid a certificate stating the name of the person to
whom such license has been granted and the date of expiration
of such license, and shall also issue to each person so licensed a
metal badge in such form and bearing such inscription as said
commissioners shall determine. If any person licensed as afore-
said shall, at any time, be adjudged guilty of any violation of
any of the provisions of this act, after full hearing by said com-
missioners or a majority of them, the said commissioners or a
majority of them shall revoke the license issued to such person,
and such person shall thereupon cease to have any authority
thereunder.
Suc. 3. Each person, licensed under the provisions of this
act, shall, at all times, while engaged in the pursuit so licensed,
wear upon his person the badge issued to him as provided in the
preceding section, and shall, upon demand of any of said com-
missioners or any of their deputies, exhibit said badge and the .
certificate issued to him as provided in the preceding section.
Every person violating any of the provisions of this section shall,
for each offence, be fined five dollars.
Src. 4. No negative allegations of any kind need be averred
or proved in any prosecution brought under this act, but the
respondent in any such action may show his license by way of
defence.
INLAND FISRERIES LAWS.
Sec. 5. No person shall catch or take from any of the
waters within the jurisdiction of this state, or have in his pos-
session within this state, any lobster, cooked or uncooked, which
is less than four and one-eighth inches in length, measured from
the forward end of the bone projecting from the head to the
rear end of the body shell. No person shall have in his pos-
session within this state any female lobster bearing eggs, or
from which the eggs have been brushed or removed. Every
person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be
fined five dollars for each such lobster; except that any person
licensed under this act catching and taking any such lobster and
immediately returning the same alive to the water from which
it was taken shall not be subject to such fine. The possession
of any such lobster, cooked or uncooked, shall be prima facie
evidence that the same was caught and taken in violation of
this section.
Sec. 6. Each and every “‘lobster pot,’’ so-called, set, kept,
or maintained, or caused to be set, kept, or maintained, in any
of the waters in the jurisdiction of this state, by any person
licensed under this act, shall be plainly buoyed. Every person
violating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined
twenty dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days for
each such offence, or both.
Sec. 7. No person licensed under this act shall use any
pots for catching, or cars or other contrivance for keeping,
lobsters unless the same and the buoys attached thereto are
plainly marked with the name or names of the owners thereof,
or the person or persons using the same, and the license number
or numbers of such person or persons. Every person violating
the provisions of this section shall be fined twenty dollars or be
imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both, for each such
offence, and all pots, cars, and other contrivance used contrary
to the provisions of this and other sections of this act shall be
195
No lobster
shall be taken
from the
waters of this
state which is
less than four
and one-eighth
inches.
Each and
every lobster
pot set, kept,
or maintained
in the waters of
this state by
any person
shall be plainly
buoyed.
Penalty for
using any pots
for catching or
cars or contri-
vance for keep-
ing lobsters un-
less the same
and the buoys
attached there-
to are plainly
marked with
the name or
names of the
owners thereof,
or the persons
using the same,
and the license
number or
numbers of
such persons.
196
Close time on
lobsters be-
tween Novem-
ber 15th in
each year and
the 15th day
of April next
succeeding.
Penalty for
mutilating any
uncooked lob-
ster.
Deputies to be
appointed.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
seized by any officer engaged in the enforcement of this act, and
said property shall be forfeited.
Sec. 8. Between the fifteenth day of November in each year
and the fifteenth day of April next succeeding, no person shall
catch or take any lobster from any of the waters in the juris-
diction of this state, or place, set, keep, maintain, supervise,
lift, raise, or draw, or cause to be placed, set, kept, maintained,
supervised, lifted, raised, or drawn, in or from any of said waters,
any pots or other contrivances designed or adapted for the
catching or taking of lobsters. Every person violating any of
the provisions of this section shall be fined twenty dollars or be
imprisoned not more than thirty days for each such offence, or
both.
Sec. 9.
eries and their deputies shall lift or raise any pot, belonging to
No person except the commissioners of inland fish-
any person licensed under this act, set for the catching or taking
of lobsters, except with the permission of the owner or owners
thereof and license so to do under this act. Every person vio-
lating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined ten
dollars for each such offence.
Sec. 10. No person shall mutilate any uncooked lobster by
severing its tail from its body, or have in his possession any
part or parts of any uncooked lobster so mutilated. Every
person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be
fined five dollars for each such offence, and in any and all pro-
secutions under this section the possession of any part or parts
of any uncooked lobster, so mutilated, shall be prima jacie evi-
dence sufficient to convict.
Sec. 11.
at least two deputies, whose duties shall be the enforcing of the
The commissioners of inland fisheries shall appoint
provisions of this act. Each of said deputies appointed as afore-
said shall be, by virtue of his office, a special constable, and as
such deputy may, without warrant, arrest any person found
violating any of the provisions of this act, and detain such
INLAND FISHERIES LAWS.
person for prosecution not exceeding twenty-four hours. Said
deputies shall not be required to enter into recognizance or
become liable for costs.
Src. 12. For the purpose of enforcing the provisions relative
to the protection of lobsters, the commissioners of inland fish-
eries and their appointed deputies may search in suspected
places, or upon any boat or vessel that they may believe is used
in the catching or transporting of lobsters, and may seize and
remove lobsters taken, held, or offered for sale in violation of the
provisions of this act.
Sec. 13. Fines incurred under any of the provisions of this
act shall enure one-half thereof to the use of the complainant
and one-half thereof to the use of the state.
_ Sec. 14. The several district courts shall have concurrent
jurisdiction with the superior court over all offences under this
act, and to the full extent of the penalties therein specified ;
parties defendant, however, having the same right to appeal
from the sentences of said district courts as is now provided by
law in other criminal cases.
Sec. 15. Chapter 969 of the Public Laws, passed at the
January session, A. D. 1902, entitled ‘‘ An act in substitution of
Chapter 857 of the Public Laws, passed at the January session,
A. D. 1901, entitled ‘An act for the better protection of the
lobster fisheries,’ ”’
and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent
herewith are hereby repealed.
Sec. 16. This act shall take effect upon and after the first
day of January, A. D. 1910.
197
Deputies may
search in sus-
pected places
or upon boat
that they may
believe is used
in catching lob-
sters in viola-
tion of this act.
Fines, how to
enure.
District courts,
jurisdiction of.
LIST OF FEDERAL AND STATE FISHERIES AUTHORITIES.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR.
BureAU OF FISHERIES, WASHINGTON, D. C.
COT SSOOMAP O}f JOUSWAUB nah aosobcaclaeecesbasonosadasas GEORGE M. Bowers.
DD enutiie OMMUSSLONCT Rs ers aI eae sie ae ela neil nee Ness e oro he Dr. Hues M. Smita.
Chie mG lene wees actos sive aaa) oa cone ance oe ecneie ee arora lace Irvine H. Dunuap.
Chief, Division of Scientific Inquiry............... Dr. Barton W. EVERMANN.
Chief, Division of Statistics and Methods................ ALVIN B. ALEXANDER.
Chief, Division of Fish Culture....... SUR MAOIMES S020 tanya Soke) al R.S. JoHnson.
VAC ULCCE AIA PE TUGUIVCET Ae Ven) fish, tlh Mera siayenss elle eiMtentes shes oo oieslet HeEcToR VON BayYErR.
ALABAMA.
DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH.
Johni HH. Wallace. Jr Commissionen. . ccc. «tne eae oes Montgomery.
ARIZONA.
FIsH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS.
Phenix, Arizona.
MS CPESUITIC ewes ina ite eins eas cite SaiNoes lee a ne a a Stafford.
BEPASHOMKOT rs Sulastie cate ee ha Sita aie foo als Bees 6 Flagstaff.
Wier S Pimney (on: s52 2 ant cdot cae ci sich REM se re AWA Phoenix.
CALIFORNIA.
CALIFORNIA F1IsH COMMISSION.
San Francisco, California.
SEGOLLE NS LOME HE TESTAENE. or sad iec aii eee eine kcal tutlecale! bres San Francisco.
1B WAS VG alaro) (ol fel (oto Wen a aa eo a PR San Francisco.
SLs did GHOST AYES | SSNS ANTI pe] eae EC OTe Mere eh Los Angeles.
Charles A. Vogelsang, Chief Deputy................0005 San Francisco.
200 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
COLORADO.
DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FIsH.
Capitol Building, Denver, Colo.
David E. Farr, GOMMIUSSTONETAP Re CPR Mieke ae ee Denver.
CawWrelbakesDenuhy i Comimisstonena ce ++ 2 eee sere ee Denver.
een PACU CLE MOUCTIC cs edhe Guess 20.0 sole we ole wR eels ane Denver.
W.S. Kincaid, Gen. Supt., State Hatcheries............. Denver.
CONNECTICUT.
COMMISSION OF FISHERIES AND GAME.
Room 66, State Capitol, Hartford.
George a.) Mathewson, resvdent (.)ci0 8 ob ic widens aed oi Thompsonville.
ea lanapVIe OAT LOM occas oKe"s she eo uo Basle pene pen oe New Haven.
la}, 1eGinn COAR) SGeRA pees oo ecb econo aes aoe osbue sac Hadlyme.
CONNECTICUT SHELLFISH COMMISSION.
Rooms 301-303 Exchange Bldg., New Haven.
eon gels AV al d@n), seis ceunis: wie eis toes faas niae = acer one eer aoe Bridgeport.
W@hristianiG warts teleosts on eee isa a re eee eee South Norwalk.
Moh nishls. (Clarke winter p ets 2.8) seats Lh ies hc in een ae ect a Fe New Haven.
FLORIDA.
Fioripa FisH CoMmMIssIon.
John Y. Detwiler, Honorary Commissioner.............. New Smyrna.
v
GEORGIA.
SUPERINTENDENT OF FISHERIES.
PARR TT) ai Sieve, 2h orc A esa reve aa oops Slocum as La Grange.
IDAHO.
FisH AND GAME DEPARTMENT.
Boise, Idaho.
WAN stephens, Warden co 6 se ot iectat waco mee aes Boise.
marry G. Dietrich; Clerk s.sacmideie ne teonaciutel note tencuset see ena Boise.
15), AMS Ibi bab alasyorb (Cia) IDOI soo ddeiadn Co ooatonseonnod Boise.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 201
Eg CARVER UDC UL mr atin Ae ae Ris ohne n tae aye shale cece 6 5 Moscow.
ames es DUNLOL Mrdtieryan seis eo at ee debaeas idee ee es Bloomington.
ILLINOIS.
Boarp oF FisH COMMISSIONERS.
Natalie Cohenseerestdent aia taciien itl tttetciet eke roan Urbana.
Fenny genet ku nty te chshainicinicter she hireae ahaiertakerchatana Heit eeys Chicago.
8. P. Bartlett, Secretary and Superintendent............. Quincey.
INDIANA.
COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES AND GAME.
rie Wea SWECIE Water ero Tree rete Net erses Oe Reh et ote nce laers Columbus.
IOWA.
KR COL ZORA MINI COMM rs. Si.0 cls, toe ski, oapehet toe wads seoeine eo eta Cedar Rapids.
KANSAS.
StaTE FisH AND GAME WARDEN.
COL ales Wie COMM tts te tsascleretstevedsletes raters aha ro wenotetensiole Pratt.
LOUISIANA.
OysTER COMMISSION OF LOUISIANA.
Rooms 609-611 Maison Blanche, New Orleans.
ee Ossmanwieresidentaase eet see cee tonnes «e New Orleans.
Clement: Story neh ikea cece. tee Oa hehe ae oo Violet, P. O.
ElOrace nie nELAr vey ne tte, 74 ain corste e's ers tns be arorcntaye cet Harvey, P. O.
Je al NGA CADUG LEAT Shenton e a Houma.
ACB IS] LL @ TITLED INs Sees ae aire srag ose redetavePey oS # eee eed Thibodaux.
Boarp oF Brrp, GAME, AND F1sH CoMMISSIONERS.
605 Maison Blanche Bldg., New Orleans.
secre Dow limo eM Ie: tetera hid Rede e ae RY PMR ok A Shreveport.
Frank Miller, Pres., Ex-officio Chief Warden............. New Orleans.
BOK sD) MEM Sherer. ate cee tas ee tts oe arer eat eras Baton Rouge.
26
202 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
MAINE.
COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES AND GAME.
Augusta, Maine.
ieeroy eb Carleton: Chatrmaniys: vnlen te. oss vs sla nlere bea aad Augusta.
PONE LAC KEE Ea spre pe tered eat ata banaale ahaa oes rata bie, oh a RMN Phillips.
idgear ve Kane SCOneLamay ee elie avait aces ips wd wees ells Slew ealt Orono.
COMMISSIONER OF SEA AND SHORE FISHERIES.
cliezna ayers a DYoya Woy oli ey se eee cites uel ea nMN Tn aera remerel Le MAMIE Sa Rockland.
MARYLAND.
State FisH COMMISSION.
John H. Wade, Commissioner for Western Shore......... Boomsboro.
Samuel Twilley, Commissioner for Eastern Shore......... Pocomoke City.
SHELLFISH COMMISSION.
Annapolis, Md.
Wralterwe Mitchell KChaimman tess eect ere eyelets let La Plata.
Bens. Greens Wr reastnen sho: ela alls, aeialspers) weve evelarels eee Westover.
Drs Caswell Grave: Secretary! rset ote oledie satel a eras Baltimore.
MASSACHUSETTS.
COMMISSION ON FISHERIES AND GAME.
State House, Boston, Mass.
ID NGig VGC ENON OGRA DOTO sels pine Solo aicuae Gia oles Embed Boston.
Vo Vis IDA SOY iN O alCHA ANAS. oghace oon aoge on odd oee Boston.
Georgenet Gare ms mona AAU ie yaet ai tus wor shee tie seu SO Retz Boston.
MICHIGAN.
Strate Boarp or FisH COMMISSIONERS.
Ci De TOsslya wir esudent scrsiic ie oat lc jcvevetolene nec eeiete nai teuarcte Detroit.
ID) AHI D POWELL bisors sai suabataie total Geanies sels) singe’ (ole ewe a et Suttons Bay.
Bred! Postal iis eras hi wets be Rui eta Liens bags it tnn iia oem beara iat Detroit.
Seymour Bower, Supt. of Hatcheries..................-- Detroit.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Strate GAME, FisH, AND Forestry WARDEN DEPARTMENT.
Ghanlesi ss eierces Wanderer. ae sects syeitalayeceker asap slaves ters a nelle 3) 6 Lansing.
Charles N. Smith, Chief Deputy Warden................ Lansing.
MINNESOTA.
BoarD OF GAME AND FIsH COMMISSIONERS.
OP Ie VOMNSOMS Resta en taas clon aise eee cies eens St. Paul.
George bradley Viceaanestd enter ceinia siecle ciel -viel Norwood.
Jos. A. Wessel, Second Vice-President.....:..5..5..05.- St. Paul.
IROoloyaih Isha l, (SYaAnoj a5 ao son csansoncgduccgacoos St. Paul.
Henry, Ae Riders Harecuivve Agent. ii Tis <sse cle elaye shale « Little Falls.
Seebe Bullerton, Siwpio; PUshertes. csi es eyes + ses es St. Paul.
MISSISSIPPI.
BoarRpD OF OYSTER COMMISSIONERS OF MISSISSIPPI.
Gulfport, Miss.
Wuncany Minor werestdent sores te acre eters Any ae Ocean Springs.
HS a Elewesailen SCCTELUMU) Aerie arses ese ieee Gulfport.
MISSOURI.
Missouri State FisH CoMMISsION.
PAG ESeni ChE rEStden baer Sarton stuers se cichershe Bunion St. Louis.
aE IN Miclaney, 'Vice= EF residents. lea iciscsts, Sars spay dal do's aie Kennett.
WS. WATE SCCTELEIY es icen bed iayede Gua hal Ale alas si vhai/aee St. Joseph.
Edwardwallou'eh byeniieyaviss itera whcalehene cs ato wencaaeiens islets Windsor.
HC MAT OL OTGET wasclee dese ua arena ete PAN ae los eon adalat ADs Paris.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF HATCHERIES.
LEAMTII NO} Co) 6) 0 Bt a ta a ene Yoee eee NaN Ue Sina EM St. Louis.
EE, OPS TIO Tye nyareneies ced x aehe ci aceena|o neues MP chsnh NNN St. Joseph.
MONTANA.
STATE GAME WARDEN.
VERE RRS COLLIE eu eens pee cme tornn SEON or NURUNIC OH Re va Lua bint Ae be Helena.
Montana State Fish Hatrcuery.
WEE Heales; Superintendent s.r.sc6s)heisse.doseho\cserstareeroe a alek Anaconda.
203
204 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
NEBRASKA.
NEBRASKA GAME AND FisH COMMISSION.
Governor |COmmissvonereL-OffiClOn em: set orien eee ee Lincoln.
Daniel Getlus Chie, Warden. & = 5 fac sss. . eles b+ wale alee State Capitol, Lincoln.
W. J. O’Brien, Superintendent of Hatcheries............. Gretna.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
FisH AND GAME COMMISSION.
NathaniolaWentwortinian. cn checks cceacuel « ehlcenleesaen reornes Hudson Center.
Err a ral can SMS OWI essed ovacclekar © ace cris He ae ees ee EMER cena eee Whitefield.
hasan sclarls SECrElany’aniaclcei-s die, j ste Weld cole oe eae Concord.
NEVADA.
State FisH Commission oF NEVADA.
Carson, Nevada.
Georges. MillssChairmans cent hee ne ernie rts Carson.
IDES VETO COMM pry tee cole aie he caacncuclic eho easreu Rena sreme eee: Carson.
NAIMES RO AT ahs eecea eR: Scustep east rcuten om cnet xT aaa Reno.
NEW MEXICO.
GAME AND FisH WARDEN.
homas (P.. Gable MV ardentasch «some. sccueukath See 4 Santa Fe.
NEW JERSEY.
FisH AND GAME COMMISSION.
IB P@ SIMUISER PE VESTC EIU.) 4 TING tele Ss. mate AON a NE SL oe Trenton.
WallampAnWooue: “lrcasinen wie aa tone tea aie Bridgeton.
Rencival CHPYVSties ih. semis aie aut in comemea las High Bridge.
Simeon, EH. Rollinsones.aa. ee Rote te Gem Sena ies West Orange.
Walter A @Helly Seeretany: nc ocik.s Soh tee een Same koe ete West Orange.
Strate BuREAU OF SHELL FISHERIES.
Charles Ri. Bacon Chiefs sche cahen eG fiend mus ticlasne cet eae Camden.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
STATE OysTER COMMISSION.
FNGLITAUTI iS GILES UI est asyapies ene Sroka farce tar oy Sele ee cer al os Port Morris.
Jeremiah N. Ogden....... eRe Sen ae oe Bridgeport.
MITEL oe) BYES 0) | RO eae ae ea ae Keyport.
MLCT ANG o EAN crt casters ohoted oA Syn d ede idle suche SIRO, me Dennisville.
ANemavA0) LBEXCOI, SWyitis Git) ISCO Moos oSbucsoccseob0daupor Mauricetown.
NEW YORK.
Forest, FisH, AND GAME COMMISSION.
Albany, New York.
VamMesioavVoipple; Commissioners. «eye asso ee Albany.
J. Duncan Lawrence, Deputy Commissioner............. Albany.
PONDS WiRISH, SCCTALATY 2 nec gone scores co eiewe els cosieloitpove eee Albany.
1Dye, Ih, ISL, Wee iol. Sena INO (COMI 5 noc nA Seo demo oe nDeS New York.
iB: Frank Wood, Supt. of Shell Fisheries... 2% 4...--5--. Jamaica.
William: Box, Siwpt, of forests icc seaes be odee ec ae dele Albany.
NORTH CAROLINA.
State FisH CoMMISSIONER.
pluie odorelS. Meekinse 5. /2,5 5 snc oes ane Ahora sive Ss Maneto.
Vi oI PAWS) 0) 6) AAS Ree, one ease ere a Morehead City.
NORTH DAKOTA.
GAME WARDENS.
PMV chlechiter.) 204. i ¢2Rt0o nd oots arcs «see ene nrevche UIE os Fessenden.
vallsciamaViciKesmic veces nace a siclhthe s crete tees co cohomere Sanborn.
R. W. Main, State Fish Commissioner.............+.-.. Cando
OHIO.
FisH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS.
eee NOT NWF RESTUGIE a. c./0 chs icis snalersivie hd cco oles aa-yewine Cleveland.
. Ls, LEESg Hoy ee ae tegen Mana nana Erie, MES aN aril Sed Cincinnati.
SPEER CUECOTIG Oe cys k RMN PRL, hee ues ape ks ecte cle emat Dayton
05
206 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
3] i) SUH Yeh all Lert o pepe RN UTE ESRC Rc gC Oc mi eco ete South Charleston.
Jou Cy Speaks (Chie; Wardens: iris waceriscee an saeco Columbus.
GAC Blanker sy Seenetanye unt e aaldeteit ieeaeven aren amuaelauate Columbus.
OKLAHOMA.
TERRITORIAL GAME AND FisH WARDEN.
VIP TIC! Wi ETOUS eyes amr ie na earns tea e/a iano) oy ck dea ce rayon agra me Enid.
OREGON.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES.
Oregonean Bldg., Portland, Ore.
(SOVESEMOLA Se eee ON Meira ahoes HCE THER Staavia Uae at ser eae RUPE AYE Salem.
Seeretary Ol seater.) o\5.3.2 Sais < 2ide sR seer Salem.
CALC MME ASUTELA coo Fshtses olla eben iaed Ao yd wa auc ay Aa cre Eevee Salem.
ERO MCIAUITS teria ici estes ie oe eae: Dee cece te tat ee Portland.
PENNSYLVANIA.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES.
WistaiMechan Commisstonensn sodas set datos ee Harrisburg.’
VOHNGEAMIAOET LET Pier cet cect areiva stale aiele Uauehauahanaeu ister pate Erie.
1B Ue eb evan Oe CY o> aan taaa eer tape ECU e Pee ems viete jabato nse oie 0 Wellsboro.
Paavo lige gel ROS) WAU gun RRsH ets, ne tee tn eis Sai ak iat a Pheenixville.
AVES AS AIUCISEMIRII OR ayers). NUL APN clewain nae Ae eee a Mauch Chunk.
~ Rhode Island Commissioners of Inland Fisheries.
HENRY T. ROOT, President, Treasurer and Auditor, Providence, R. I.
J. M. Kk. SOUTHWICK, V2ce-President, 3 ; : Newport, R. I.
WM. P. MORTON, Secretary, ; . P. O. Box 966, Providence, R. I.
CHAS. W. WILLARD, . : 4 : 5 ‘ ee Westerly. Riel
ALBERT D. MEAD, ; : 5 : : ' Brown University.
ADELBERT D. ROBERTS, . ; P. O. Box 264, Woonsocket, R. I.
WM. H.-BOARDMAN, «°°. 2) |... 6) (Central Palisa
JAMES WY EVBCUD COU TUAe:: ails <lol+leli=leliel elie) ela») siyelce'sa)taa)faire Beautort.
NGM, Ga SQUie stints ccilaea tte ante a lepana tay teueualle: Melee area Marion.
George StiMowerseiinac ices acces oate ciate tickers Oieaaea ai aore Newberry.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 207
TENNESSEE.
StTaTE GAME AND FisH WARDEN.
MOSSE ELS A GCIs Hee Sis eke cir tileiteatola dats, mye nenents el Nashville.
TEXAS.
STaTeE GAME, FIsH, AND OysTER COMMISSION.
PBR VVOOGERG OLIN ISSTONET ED Naein suarcienle iat cre Pekar ieee ele Austin.
Re WeElborance: pp enutyn OR rr am tel velsee a ael ete chee Austin.
UTAH.
STaTE FisH AND GAME COMMISSIONER.
Bredp We Chambers sis. cts nines eek skh sels baeale nee Salt Lake City.
VERMONT.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND GAME.
Henry: Gr. Chomas:|Commisstonen. srs ipso. o> «ties « biatene Stowe.
VIRGINIA.
COMMISSION OF FISHERIES.
WraMceDonaldslees Commisstonena-.. 25s sns2e esses. Irvington.
Soi Wilkins Matthews, Secretary... 2.0. 20% 4t0cnsseaes Oak Hall. -
Geancemberweezell ers tnais 5 cieces cosh secs rele ceeufousie ae oitvess Keezletown.
Ji ASS 8 BICC) 25s I Ne SEP Eg eet ASP
Bland Massie
WASHINGTON.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND GAME.
Board of Fish Commissioners.
RIED HON ay weenie a ai eteal Wore ail un ee 2 ag tl Olympia.
State Treasurer p Olympia.
State Fish CoMMISSIONER AND GAME WARDEN.
John L. Riseland, office, Daylight Block................ Bellingham.
208 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
WEST VIRGINIA.
Forest, GAME, AND FisH WARDEN.
eeAts WAGILESEIY rea tope cievaraan ee denetteusbalercb oval nt als “stssahe shes one Bellington.
WISCONSIN.
COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES.
Boe a OV CEM ODEs erred rats ci eye yes < fe roses ect teks osu stegees oat aicwe eee Madison.
Calvert Spensdley, resident :2).". ctx ve leaetiae: eee ee Mineral Point.
James welo can Vice=I-TeEStaents wey. terc cre) -|erewerneleiotetaiele La Crosse.
TAPAS I OEM SECTOLONY crores a /stu ic cafe eve eee SeMOIoIee ciel onetetayor are Madison.
\NVallieseinl, de Shia Oe ete ee Ae cicero Drool ec ioc orci omer cee Eau Claire.
PeTerirey a) maul: wy. salesperson Sle metereinee ee toriete ooeiet > Appleton.
Stew AtOrGee hie Mi vtath. 25 ioe cto erica aeeiaands meen teehee rete Madison.
PAC ACI) VO aren rch aed basa ca] esetienk caters. pehaete Srehsuenete mute neaRae lemons Madison
WYOMING.
Wyromine FisH ComMIssION.
Theodore Tregoning, Commissioner, District No.1....... Laramie.
C. W Morgareidge, Commissioner, District No. 2......... Wolf.
GENERAL SUBJECT INDEX
TO THE
- REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES
OF THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.
1897-1909.
N. B.—For additional references to all species of fishes, see Index to List of Fishes of Rhode
Island, Report for year 1909, page 173. For all crabs not mentioned in this index, see Notes
on the Crabs of Narragansett Bay, Report for 1908, page 56.
Report
for the
Year.
AY
Ninumcan cent Hishesien ct-ys,ccste: sm cieheroi ok me cusione eter cuteiciensues ects 1904
as Affected, by. cannon <firing™ 2240.5. 52 shee fet 34: 1908
| 1907
BSCTMUSE J CLECLOLILS =, ersten (6. afsi 2.06 arate, i's euslehel ave) tats lad @aevebey exewens id op
1907
AUGIDS CUPOMS ERO OS AOC oe COAT POON FDO a Oo POR IS Oe 1906
{ 1898
1900
Alewives........ AUC SON ebe Anes Ges REG yite hac hematas ha eu ie ; 1901
1902
| 1903
A\TaCiCEin Staley IMs (SHS SOO) jo scescusssnuoensescddsoa esau 6 1907
MRAP BLOT CS MCLTILCT CCID US aio Sale es 2B Fos oh Alpes rad te lig eae asec AB acn che NR 1906
Anguilla chrysypa (See Fishes of Rhode Island, VII)......... 1908
Anitircialwiatching——Hlatetishteciss cies © eetieeianis noni be ese ocleer- 1901
(See Lobster, and Clam.)
Artificial Culture and Growth of the Lobster.—Paper by Prof.
Ehrenbaum, delipoland)....5.. << weeeiesk Sates esau 1907
Authorities, Fisheries, State and Federal.................... 1909
B.
MSPLLDSTC SACATOULLTLCN SUS laa, ny cieeat ane lobe casas elev etene sowie ieiel els eiwpsne eres sis ole 1906
RIMM ULC, ct alain nes, svavel br ajolava agin we stiaalls 6 to afk orapat er epaden Ss Gyebpas a 1909
1909
(Scavelm Cllewth 2 0s Sears c cistotthas Ole ceca Cr onene SOCIO EROIE ERIE ETE area ; 1909
Page.
a
11055
12
68
83
66
11
19
10
15
15
83
66
43
16
14
199
67
177
15
183
210 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
for the
Year.
Bibliography of ‘the| Hel Literature }:3..)..2. 605... te. LE ds 1908
Bibliography of Literatureon Crabs. <...6 2 15.6 <4 ,0)6 asipleye <le'eaine 1908
1898
1901
1902
1903
1905
1907
1908
1908
1909
_ 1909
{ 1897
1898
1899
190
EIS RS NM MPU I Cn S20 nae
—)
1OLOCICAIVS UEVIEY i. etal sterseie a eae eyes eee ane VAs lelelavaiate/ arco arene
1902
1904
1905
( 1899
“Sng ateT He CO MAL A Mo aa Meh iM, Moe steps oR TEL on | ae
l 1905
Boats in Lobster Fishery (See Lobster).
SOTTO ciclsy Se ycidaeires ete ID ve slererahe fahetre th ello isle siateven ee, suche tire obo san Seat oe 1906
Breeding Périods of Marine Animals... 0... 0.02. 65 he. 5 1898
STIG be To fIR Te ict cy Srovopoteleetonls cect e capet oheganfe ie anced anoles Sheva sce veyetey seen 1909
PSTUPLETALY ECA Y © tha id erescaigtins eens steoationn «leon dena banee au Hoy alate robe et OU
Cannon firing, Effect on Abundance of Fishes................ 1908
ROTATED NUD DOS 2) ie Si 2 apie elon tte Sac aden hela. /ale Rae eivanega ad Oratele les okey re) oe keke 1 1906
OVA oped Eve) fay 2) WU inee eh OH meV y NY caaeey cule ee en TM cea (Sk ok Ty, Oke 1906
Clam—
CON, i WATUN GAN CE OF is isis hago a vc dere aaah A MEE Wedkees ataee pat Fay Be 1906
6) VA DUNG ANCE OLIN LSOO Ss alaveeiais (a a ctegieievatesateeethe oiete cleechels 1908
HE ATO Ee MUN GbE IH OGRE oe Soh Aamo eigeodeu hesasad
chin JA aehmentrore Glam dcr aeecteie suet cee etree ie ne oe nena 1898
APPENDIX.
Clam—Continued.
CP PBTCCHING SCASO Mee sets aiterentereteneale) | vel chavs Yasar dlstearsretiaran cavers
Se MESUTTO WI Py Olan seraminbeteey alee ea ae er tains) skew ceo cla aja oeele
Rater ok, Burro wingecsccraee ove aie cere ote cholate eLe
SMES BSUS «LM TCAG versa ialctehente wioverte ay cuacte dtc crecle ete tee eaeta ce
“« ~~ Commercial Value (See Statistics).
ee oulture— Collection of, YOunpe.. cm aceicctecieaee s slik
oe Experiments in Methods: 35/0242) actin senessteie
ey Me By Mri Alexanders. tiscy cl ccinonaices atereusee eal ater
oe a Points Bearing on Clam Culture..............
i nf Prangsplanbine sas ceva oa aia sby ceceraerscheys eaeele we mele
of i Wes, piste save tess « sats a, Gece ached Sue clo eneue eA ot onahc
¢ Effect of Digging on Clam Ground..................
. ESS VOL SS coascis,cpanoicyeealessiels oa) acto iaienensi che mathe wuss eha ns ote
ct SABIE KOE. rere tiie tie Nee an la a wads oe Mean yea
Paddler Crab as asen ue ete ei aatanie atiiciana, ese net
s Exhaustion of Clam-beds, Causes of.....
46
Report
for the
Year.
f 1898
1900
1902
— 19038
1898
1898
1900
1903
{ 1900
{ 1903
( 1898
{ 1899
1898
1900
| 1901
( 1899
| 1901
1902
| 1903
1901
\ 1898
1899
| 1906
1901
; 1902
211
Page.
93
23
32
30
85
89
27
35
20
46
89
36
91
24
23
17
28
33
41
33
90
35
83
27
35
43
63
13
42
105
83
21
56
93
28
22
31
43
38
46
37
23
212
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
for the
Clam—Continued. Year.
( 1899
* 1900
Growth' and Ape ot) Clams: .\cc scr inisos)s ea oh ee + 1903
_ 1906
1899
1900
i 1901
Growth) Hatevof Growtlics os vclelen es es ieetaets ate eis cise 1902
1903
1904
i ; f! j 1898
Habits of them oung, Clams, - 4... ooa.c seers evans - 1 1899
“« Industry in Rhode Island (See Statistics)............. 1909
SO MIVemID ET Veet Pen Chel! odisa Nota boa cdeieetemeasde Ro rane tat Mente uses ner stele 1909
«Life History of the Common Clam.—Paper by Prof.
arnt es) Met CMO Geren in ye core reine oie eee ene: 1898
i Macration or Young tothe Mud iio. sc ss oe cree alone 1898
1898
is : 1901
Naturals History of the; Clame i205) 22< cee esse) cichs eres | 1902
| 1903
‘« Observations on the Soft-Shelled Clam.—Papers by
A. D. Mead, Ph. D.—
BirstivPapers ccm eccc eee cease cram leet ete 1899
SecondsPaner. scr ee ns .otlkacne | seme OOU
A Uavege Id Er) ole) ee Mee Hee ea CT RE Ecard ts Ace & fa 1901
RourthivBa penn t ss cih emare cekaclesee setae teria rene 1902
PntGh Papers se. ak ore ste tots cuochete wicnoe lene teen 1903
( 1899
1900
1902
1903
Ht ECE te Ol ClAaInIBirchye Nah oc ceMaieie 4oertaate tases Poe ete NTS ARTO 4 1904
1905
1906
1907
| 1909
EE)" “EK OL OLA IMS R he Aystate SiG L sete aroretc sham ee as ticks @ clemens arcnsian ole 1900
«« Shore in Narragansett Bay Suitable for Clams......... . 1899
( 1899
A | 1900
“cc
Spawning of Clamss' s:.).:.).. cmieretnetsteteie| alenmtenleuee ee puryelarts 1901
Page.
83
APPENDIX.
Report
for the
Clam—Continued. Year.
“Statistics of Yield of Clams in the New England States,
GUSSO RTS Dee een vepeitors celta laycc\'s Gohalial aliciaike<} <jiel'esilsue alee tase ale 1899
«« Summary of Natural History of the Clam and of Methods
Oli Cult UT sa: ests ct tyere) tease oie sitkeus © cuerste) oe Sie slers shane alas 1903
1899
1899
1902
1903
a3
Survey. of Shores for'Clam Sets... 5.16.0 eo owen ue 1904
1905
1905
1906
(eee RenachiyaOruutesOleXOUNE yess esa tele tector ase or 1898
1897
1898
| 1898
4
NBER UI eerecceee ee en ees ctecie Pie She GENES CUS tal Rete icaat see alee ei 1900
1905
1906
RMPEINETHYAOT the, Hobs ben sicc svar tase ocak cudis oldie ¢ saeketa ereralee 1900
Commercial Fisheries, Importance of (See Statistics).......... 1907
Commissioners of Fisheries, State and National.............. aoe
‘Commissioners of Rhode Island Fisheries, Establishment of.... He
Committee of Investigation of Fisheries, 1869..............+. age
Sanger Uiseesmishes ofl... VEL )ios's ovo. eas Seco oa ete 1908
Congress, International Fishery. (See International.)
Co-operation of State Fish Commissioners.................0. ian
TPCH OM aE NEW? OPCCIOR Ne eine 3 diated Urs euauepe suis avet oii co Be agra ele 1906
manepads On mM hode sland... 5 oc evn secon cis Ferg css cate ce che 1906
{ 1903
EARP ROMER a lyn sci Just ers vee A clini shine ter Blanics oe aon ate eters NE oe | 1908
Commercial Value (See Statistics).
Ura aoe OL ATI pec sea) set AeA slot mato he! ondns dete Nace busi heti-c 1902
The Natural History of the Crab (Paddler).—Paper by E. W.
SAMOS MRE Nip pve rcs Aah) eh Svein cade val sy Sime ta) Bie ae See Se. ee 1903
Distribution..... Siena netite arenas eyeyo ate aes iMtekaca sae clete 1903
BrecdingySeasOns..cieno ae see ee oe Oe pee 1903
WVGb pA TOMS eee oy Nae WN stooyg ge Ao Nit Ras ie cot otaisie hats 1903
egal tn ese Sas ia el Re AACN COREL 2g aan Sey a 1903
Soft-Shelled Crab Industry in Rhode Island.......... 1903
214 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
for the
Year.
Crabs.—Notes on the Crabs of Narragansett Bay. Paper by
Walter) BSinl lava yey dialerove iia s Gree 3 tie youay ener iia 1908
(Garvall VE @rmis gee UN ater date vas ete vot Sy ailennet een el er mMloHS 1908
BGO OM TEs Vales Ne aul IeD Wum ee Sig aie tierce atone ete lalaRcHe aiepeate 1908
Classifica tion) a) cnsescne caualivesverstereley cos Rie eee erat iar eas sek 1908
ESTO Tea POU ye ach We 4) ates eae ete ele et avers) oye el aou te alter anal cca teteuaveo ss 1908
Cena Gina Out aie 10s atom al ie tNa sz Bit areteniy meh ange dip ea tates ot EE 1906
Culture. (See Clams, Fish, Lobster.)
GOH] ECCS ONT) e WO POR ay BUNT eae uae PRIOR el a oy oh edna oD 1900
OOMOSCLOT TEGALTS NV OU OIOE Ue tia/\ere ie ie dolleeovahs oral aie omeashen eee veel 1907
(See also Squeteague.)
D.
DOSY ALES COTUTUT Ge ena iclele a els yee oa vccen tel Maen sneiied so l/ay el earl tet 1906
Diatoms, List of, in Rhode Island.—Paper by Lothrop and Ma-
SOT AMM ei Diilat Lnech) iat sa Hatha peel ahi eae nareat anus (Ute ace Ude caste fata 1899
DOP LSI Spoimiynenwii areal er Mi eu ca Mal iNes aay Eilon aaa atl Lucier aang 1904
Dredging by Fish Hawk, in Narragansett Bay................ 1898
EK.
Hel; Commionry)(SeeyHishes| of yew Vil) aye euicseteieien letters 1908
Keli Conger (See Mishes of ukeile Vall) sc uvetercseteuerteiclereeie aie 1908
Exhibit at Alaska-Yukon Exhibition, Seattle ................ 1909
Exhibit at Louisiana Purchase Exposition.................... 1903
Exhibit at) Jamestown Hxposition. oo... 02 Uk selene een) CLIO
Exhibit at the Pan American Exposition..................... 1901
{ 1904
| 1905
Exhibit for Washington County Agricultural Association....... J 1906
(See Sea Farming.) 1907
1908
| 1909
Exhibit at Wickford Experiment Station.................... 1909
Experiment Station of R.I. Fish Commission (See Laboratory).
( 1897
| 1898
Extermination of Fishes by Over-fishing..................45. | 1899
| 1900
1905
F.
Fauna of Rhode Island (See Crabs, Fishes, Mollusca, ete.).
ATV ES aa eM boli ea awstats aa OSL RPA hia a a Oa eA 1906
{ 1907
Page.
68
15
APPENDIX,
Report
for the
Year.
Fish Culture, A Method of —Paper by A. D. Mead.......... .. 1908
Fisheries, Authorities, State and Federal (See Authorities).
Fisheries, Commission of. (See Commission of Fisheries.)
Fisheries, Commercia]. (See Commercial and Statistics.)
Higheries scientific Investigation Of. oe). yje\e eb laic ee eee ele ses 1909
(See Biological, Physical, ete.)
Hishes} Wuistioh, im Narragansett (Bayje sh lsc). 22/2 lhe «ie Gie ses oe 1899
SPA CAGIOTG CO PLAS UL OL (oye, alse eusuete sieves cys measles acties mma 1900
ashes OLsehodens lands Mistiolaces -emiecnic hatecineers sien ait al: 1909
Fishes of Rhode Island, The.—Papers by Henry C. Tracy
i (AU Mist of Hishes of RhodevIsland), 03.354 220240 60a 1905
II. The Common Fishes of the Herring Family.......... 1905
III. The Fishes of the Mackerel Family................. 1906
Ven Rare Hishesiaken\im 906120 sian spay soca evel tie 1906
Wied EL De wr at BES MOS ae ciatct sie acalisral ais ave tawetaeqainsosintia Sa evsievels 1907
VI. A Description of Two Young Specimens of Squeteague
(Cynoscion regalis), with notes on the rate of their
LOWEN Ha aath sashes la Mere assy tele madmen ae esl eae 1907
VII. The Life History of the Common Eel............... 1908
VIII. Annotated List of Fishes known to Inhabit the waters
ofekihodetiisl ama tears inert scare ere or spiakees ee oie take 1909
Eisheslransportation: Of Live Mishes «5.2/1.3 4 agi2 sae nurs woes 1908
(See Fish Culture, A Method of.) ‘
ahi Mattiarommb ode Island dea oi geese bauelsey.., a
Pishing, Traps, off Newport, 1905-1909... 2... eevee ae 1909
1900
SY OST rit 2 De RR A Sa APE eI IN ee ee TORO TE EMR HN tame UD PER fa ~ 1905
1907
: : 1907
Speer t Ears Le h1@ MEMES GV Bea a 28a oy chats) de eal er eawledin cave oper meas Seda aN 1907
) 1907
miounders he our-Spoteed'. 3.2 dais eel ae wotels oe eon led son Se ws 1 1907
MEPPREAG ORE? WAT EOI pl), os 0y5.5. 0 iat aie erat ete ac & het ee hss eee ae ges uae
1907
RECTAG OL VEG SUMAMIOR 2300 Yt aed il a thas ake slg arate 1907
nae ey SOMECER OL NTATIME! Geog ps esac nis ate) ailave “dict oo) aoe, dy ce jar ale volgraadils 1969
Foreign Notices of Methods of Rhode Island Fish Commission.
(See Lobster, Foreign Notices.)
BeeertreeMaGicerels anc penny uit SAMI IMU Al, Aen ue 1906
G.
© EPS S20 SU ORS oer Aa NR 1909
RO TUTY a OL NG a atch acta La eda Ae ale cats lac wt ath ules IAB edai hy 1899
59
167
45
216 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Gymnodinium peridintum..... 6c cece nnneenens
(See Red Water Plague.)
JEG WD oy) lcs ea ENE CRA et i POR ae Py RETO gee at
JEL go esyt hee BAe an Sebald cei uch ERR Sten SOPOT cabin trans, CRE DIN IOROtA
JE ey garha\ ran 4) 5 eR apoeet Arey ae Hee fe Gey een tes ches Gt eee
Herring Family, Common Fishes of...............
Hippoglossoides platessoides... .. 2... 6022s enn nse ne
Happoglossus happoguossus.. co ~ ny. ome wipe no oie
Horsev Mackerel yeti icve hee ree nce orate
ff Commercial Value. (See Statistics.)
4
iileval Capture of. Lobsters.: ¢.).5.)i.). 2h. fut ee
initernational Pishery Congress's...) as eisai ake ise © Asisis pie ate
‘« Visit to Experiment Station, Wickford........
Interstate Conferences of Fish Commissioners..............-:
K.
Sind Ofis las eS ater faiahs Seer ar alls teehee seers ee ate nue Nat ett
ie
Laboratory and Equipment of the R. I. Fish Comm
TEGGOCEDNALUS LOUIGCHUS Neate ae ere
CUO ONO OF FC)
= wiles) (es ve in i>ii=
e010) ate Ke) ce) 6 \\0 le
i ee
’ 1907
Report
for the
Year.
1908
\ 1900
+ 1907
1907
1906
1898
1905
( 1907
| 1907
( 1900
1907
1905
1905
1906
1909
~
1901
1902
1903
1904
| 1905
1905
1906
1909
{ 1900
Page.
10
59
61
70
66
11
100
62
74
59
61
70
il
21
60
177
APPENDIX.
Report
Law, Fisheries Laws of Rhode Island....................0. 4
SEMMEVG VISE COO DSLET: Hua Winta aie ecse anes tout ciate tiaravo a sale cesie cus erete
Leptocephalus, special paper, Life History of the Eel.......... 1908
Leptocephalus conger, special paper, Life History of the Eel..... 1908
Light, Influence of, Upon Larval and Adolescent Stages of Ho- { 1905
TLONUSHCUTILENLCOTULS ae tenor Peete ane es eee ere ree | 1906
OUTLET Hig 6 oo OUOe CO DODO OOO Oooo dD ODN GG oot
Line Fishing, Influence of Trap Fishing Upon................ 1899
it. or Crabs'of Narragansett) Bay 2. 2.2.0 s.6ce0 cn erene hoes 1908
Rist. ol Wiatoms invkhode Taland 3.0: 52, of). vip absyere ce alee Sowisiece ¢ 1899
iiistof wishes of Rhode. Island). 6f..60< oso o0 eae ass eye 1909
SMT KA Oe saa rare Soy sas, sce lsne SA seals sex fevaiciane Sermo he 1909
imat.ot, Mollusca in Rhode Island...) .i..22 20.5% sacle - ct seals 1905
List of Papers published by R.I. Fish Commission.............. 1909
isto Rare-bishes Taken in 1906102 32.450... cd 04% ects e cow oe 1906
WW OVOLESISUTEN INE NSUS aie ol Oe is eee Et aL ak -
Lobster—
ss Abnormal Appendages.°.570¢ i0sscnos cau dencviee sees 1906
ef Breccine aD its ei.) ata is bajar shci A Sol otk wotee es Ste S
« MOU ee Sa 2 ere acral grees) WAG ood}. gnecm ae eet aan 1905
sf Pe AEuelAl Ela CeDIM gy 5.5 fae cee scion eaters olese |
|
28
217
173
229
186
218 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
for the
Lobster—Continued. Year.
“cc
“e
Culture.—Continued.
“ee
Artificial Culture and Growth of the Lobster.
—Paper by Prof. Ehrenbaum, Helgoland. 1907
Early Experiments in Rearing............ 1898
EVvaCencenormValue rollin mete sere cero t te 1908
Experiments in Germany ................ 1903
Experiments on Later Stages............. | 1906
Experiments with Stirring Apparatus......
Foreign notices of methods of R. I. Fish Del
Commission ays civetonrtt ates dtiee ene oe
The Problem of Feeding in Artificial Lobster
Culture.—Paper by Victor E. Emmel,
Fourth Stage, Number of—
Perigo Wobstericr warmecieere aor 1906
| 1904
|. 1909
Page.
146
148
107
APPENDIX.
Lobster—Continued.
Culture.—Continued.
a Z Report on Lobster Culture in 1905.........
as . Report on Lobster Culture in 1906........
e i Report on Lobster Culture in 1907........
rs « Report on Lobster Culture in 1908........
. i Report on Lobster Culture in 1909...........
Development—
Report
for the
Year.
1905
1906
Additional Notes upon the Development of | 1909
the Lobster.—Paper by Philip B. Hadley.
(See also Larval Lobsters).
o DISUTUDUGLOM rs cree take cea rn secant ten oe eee rs eee
EGE TICS PAL en pect ase AI ONE unlae chart sa vaketen ane Ste yaa
i Feeding, The Problem of, in Artificial Lobster Culture .
- Fifth Stage—
ef i Experiments in Rearing of.............
a a Fab tsiOl acy nie yee eee ee tae
6 ae Number liberated by R.I. Fish Commis-
Gio ESS IM, Sows cdescoeeeaweee
. Fishermen, number and income of..................
ne " Nationality ioliyaceya yecianc AF fea cierto ctettes s
of Bishery in Eel olan Gd ..)5:5 25.01 spay nssrarehc hey Me ere ecu eens, +
‘6 Fishery, Value of, in Rhode Island
se as Statistics of Men, Boats, and Pots..........
s INC YOYO UA test S aN ld ERNE, PRR ie oecERRI ST BEL i BGRe tee ema tine ee tees Pe
fe Fourth Stage—
f Number liberated by R. I. Fish Com-
mission 1898-1908...............
ok Ui Number liberated in 1909............
¢ Giro Wile east reh ae eere ei gained ROE eyhis AM eRe EARL oe REE
fe iw OL SERS HSC are SUR yenlitas ae) ae tke SAE eee tyes (as a
sf Larval Lobsters—
i ay Heeding Habits. 2 23 ho aa ase sy
i KY NR (oYoYo Wid a Alene NE UE Eee NT es Na ag
( 1902
1 1905
1905
( 1907
1 1909
219
Page.
111
88
93
16
18
189
58
123
103
98
18
88
89
97
10
11
25
10
10
31
124
17
18
125
153
186
68
146
44
38
146
208
175
98
18
220
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
Lobster—Continued. for the
Larval Lobsters—Continued. Year.
oe “ Rorm\ Changes. i. s0.2er. aot ee 1904
{ 1900
“ “ Flaite 2 Sad Rin le A ANS I 5 eu
| 1902
| 1905
1905
a ef Influence of Light Upon........... 1906
1909
1900
ne ee Length of Stagesia saz: fs. 2505 , 1901
1905
{ 1900
| 1901
& a Mio litt or sen taste oes See OR, { 1904
| 1905
| 1905
1900
e IPATASITES: Boe rts Mute ete See hae Gere 1902
1903
1905
et Regenerationss eee eon ane
ee Stomachs Of jcis. 42: oe + eee 1906
\ 1900
i Sirmeturetys.acei setts tee eee 1901
1905
“<~ Thaw, Revised: Lobster Lawe.cw. sme tmwc acme setae a
i i { 1908
Enforcement: Of sty s eo eies poses sus ysnoitevegsas crore erate ares ) 1909
(See Protection.)
“Light, Influences of—Observations on Some Influences of
Light Upon the Larval and Adolescent Stages of Ho-
marus americanus.—Papers by Philip B. Hadley—
Rirst (Pamerst.sscu'scatete x cine cn atein stereo aeons 1905
Second (Papers, 2...)5 oc curiocteact peewee ohcae 1906
ec Taman af Giss amdepels 4 -dlkien ee he sme ene ae
1902
RO WMG prabiGns) autos Sei. oot tes aint teense ee taealoge ieee scale estate 1903
(See Tagging of Lobsters.) 1905
GOTHAM Y sae Siap.c seo binant Sher cee ene ite colal data ae cateor tte / 1904
APPENDIX.
Report
for the
Lobster.—Continued. Year.
1904
1905
seine MOU GIN Dery racer iors raiser tie sispatehe Gere toessoiaas wile ar ecnlevalers on 1905
1905
_ 1905
“« Natural History of the Lobster—
Habits and Growth of Young Lobsters.
Hirst. Paper by Dr. A.D. Mead... 222 5.6.2: 1900
Habits and Growth of Young Lobsters.
SecondsbaperbyszAq Ds Meadtees- ene eee 1901
Habits and Growth of the Lobster.
Third Paper by Mead and Williams........... 1902
Natural History of the Lobster.
Raper by Lis Wir BAalness ce a fereieer ioaclon cine 1905
“« Number of 4th-and 5th-Stage Fry Liberated Since 1900. 1907
| 1901
“ : 1902
Observations on Wate Stagesiis.02- 2 .cr a. +. ce. eee 1905
| 1905
eS Color Changes of Late Stages................... a
ay Bots Number tolacewngceme tno eeocr oprercescd aiekeiee wots toate re 1908
a ie Catchiper Pot, 1904-908 - fk ons beter sre 1908
1905
os IBTOECtON Sak aa eae Oe Bienchesaye elas Was RAS bid says 1907
1907
( 1905
st Legal Restrictions (See Lobster, Law)..... ~ 1906
( 1908
1902
a aiterol (Growtls ch vos.cesnee paved oo aia ne ie eteiaates 1905
1906
A Regarding the Rate of Growth of the American Lobster
——raper py Phillip B: Hadley.) a. f.4. ses 1905
\ 1904
eS FUEL EMECTALLON et erage cae reeves ter fester thane tes cy olaaers 1904
1905
i Regeneration of Lost Parts in the Lobster—Paper by
Wictor Em Mmmeletsn Sagi eer ted bat a slefoils with 1904
i Regenerated and Abnormal Appendages in the Lobster
-—Paper by: Victor Ki. Emmel.....0.......-..... 1906
tr The Relation of Regeneration to the Moulting Process
of the Lobster—Paper by Victor E. Emmel..... 1905
- DECC PELTONGLION, Olas woe. ce hac as Cite Skin Pepe cs Sede oleae 1902
% ORME Ma GUNG Yin oe a shapieie aici sien e ered shore conten oreteisiets 1905
221
Page,
39
125
156
181
258
61
126
222 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Lobster—Continued Year.
ik Sizeats Maburitiy.'. sepia. tehvcetcustae oo Listes \aheuere Cheketedereis 1902
(See Limits of Size and Age.)
5 Spann e abies. Gye eee ceili acy. st nis natane stenatonsy peyote te 1905
a Stomach—The Stomach of the Lobster and the Food
of Larval Lobsters.—Paper by Leonard W. Wil-
JDP oo sprig er ciel Bear eg eae ar te eta OMe At 1906
—_
io)
ive)
10/)
ss Statistics of Commercial Fiseries................... )
—
Wo)
S
rs
sf accing of Lobsters...) coy sawed are dae aoa
MUGGISCONIN, Siclim wiisstevcls sya Sie le/Mieraial a lS iclaite stajate atwralietatar gieiaie 6 euatejole 1906
GAR O DSCC MUACHIGNT jal tala lols! oXwleiee ae Vels) o/avo\'s lols oleate iete lout atcha else ;
Mackerel eek ahr | is yearend Latte LCs Ant aay ar Me iia, Spe es 4 1901
t+ ishes of Mackerel Pamnily jf .0. Aes Soke k ee en 1906
VGGtn a SOLLUSSUNLO REN oho ehe Eee Ie TOLL eG eee retereoks
Berane cl eras the i is Wstavv bn eles ws Reve ethereal ATR Flas Sera te OO | 1901
Page.
60
114
150
APPENDIX.
Report
for the
Year.
( 1904
IMenhadengMisease pe ntiic fee aerate teste, wiety Me aia ite ~ 1905
( 1906
\ 1905
Mollusca mluistioran) runodelslandsemenre: seme eio tera erie aie 1905
1905
IVIGNACOMENAUSENUS DLAUS IME Weis See te SI eee ee Bieicee ee 1906
Mya arenaria (See Clam).
N.
Narragansett Bay. (See Biological, Dredging, Physical, Provi-
dence River, etc.)
, 1902
J LOU UUs chs dah sic teke un Gaebersysvete RCC ane. attetells, ahetake ioveueee her etic ore ai s
Neverita | 1903
O.
Ostracodayotannoderlsland se eanantee ce eene ee eee ee 1906
1898
Gy Sterns rec eeierne sraccte eines trait sisvsrc ts a i ereteway ; tepebebecs eel maces a lars ) 1901
te { 1897
ANS Roxas stop oferthuilstooeae oombedenagoasotosob soos ome ) 1898
4 : : { 1901
At Point Judith Ponds) 25. .5--. - gash SEP etn UA aU ake | 1902
COMMA Ul GUE Watereratc,, | haven siskh sheen acre a stole Gate cla oe 1908
“Commercial Value. (See Statistics.)
Pe
Papers published ‘by Ix. I. Fish Commisson(,. . 2). 27... -1s)-.5- >: 1909
; { 1907
PUT QUUCHENYSROCTILALUS story at tateees Met nitrate eh ee / 1907
F § 1907
PAT OLUChi NY SKOOLONGUSatwaela aie revsiayeicialers ere cieleicie es ee ee eerie 1 1907
Pecten (See Scallop).
. 1900
FRET HPDVVIIGE tes e encteacianys icten citar ates sl Svea aA ERS a ee ane erated ene
{ 1898
Pa E SUC IEDR sect 55. Sis yas peichana eld bet love fohcte baasawencnatic tlc eS ; 1900
(See Red Water Plague.) | 1908
| 1909
Puvllanada of rhode: Island) 152)) Asis ive csinsie oaevaic.s ae sieey oe 1906
45
39
69
16
18
21
05
18
24
13
224 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
for the
Year.
1898
1901
1902
Physical Examination— | 1903
“ of Narragansett Bay... 25 giij.s1 siteuyeie { 1905
(See Dredging.)
1901
ue Ateeoint JuGith hondeess eee eee 1902
TEGO Dy ARE A Ce ete at Nee oan At A ace ee Sc A Uy eral Paes Be 1909
Bite cae a ER ean a i eH Were RAE 5
Pollution ot Narrazansett Bays. cmiciemee ic cicle em oeie aici soos cee 1908
Porpoise, Commercial Value. (See Statistics.)
Providence River, Physical and Biological Conditions of.......
PZSCUMO PICUTONECLES CINETUCAMUSS...5.. <ca\o\e via vjores.siisie eisiaeisveis @ mo -
HePEVODLOLCG TIUCOLUN G5 o's oe) 3, euicl ote ts 3 (sao Nouns devel ade) Sens eaten 1900
EXULeTs SINCO UIE Ais eee ee Sey oR IS ele Ene a ee 5
PU e=NOSsed: | SMINER, aaehic rate wic | cde: + eueuspoeneperese eee mi ace eheeeackenols 1906
QUE ORD ahead at aeons rhe ermine che ne wokheorte cueeearg oe meeie canoes co 1900
- Habits and Life History of the Quahaug.—Paper by
AY IG OTOP ase? emer recs teres accuse eieerolea ee rare caer 1902
a Commercial Value. (See Statistics.)
are Hishes Laken in el OOG hs scien «ce broee etolcneusperonete custo clear: 1906
ed Water Plsee code wey tes Al US Bes Reta eee tor ae
Page.
49
65
31
56
17
23
11
Vit
APPENDIX.
Report
for the
Year.
neveneratiom iin the TOpsber coy evel see sa elt wei ola ai aide 1904
Relation to) tae Moultine Process..4.5c5 054. ores ee LOOS
Regenerated Appendages.).2 2... 00-06caace see ers sensed 1906
ENG Tete a Raa vere tose cher als on cio kein Ais? meee ee cate za eevetS avelavevslaye uae 1898
Restriction of the Lobster Pisheries: 5.2). 0 06 ce< ps2 sede ye cee
Rhode Island Commission of Fisheries, Establishment of.
(See Commissioners. )
{ 1907
ERO UE SD aoa tec ce esters acer 8 ocbaashsie ad snstote totais hv exelete svetreis are: ehersshe | 1907
5.
1898
SEH MTTA ASIA DPN AYEEHRE) Be ARE REN Pca ok Sas aoe ohn ee an aE an oeornir Pte a 1898
( 1905
( 1897
} 1898
SN ECavOy aya] Des aVo CA Beale) core Meare pate aes tere Rr ne ae oun eA i Aaa ; 1399
| 1900
SNC =) Alo eneaet: Pee apart for Ais Mane chad a ara ses eter aic aera meee: { 1907
11907
SHAG! ILE WTROVOSE Cee aks aera Cie tera ttcin Bieterka Mirae berets Sorel eke mn eieoieie 1906
SCA ATES Myer cesveraes eis eis sais, gitrele cee rere mame ina Pere RMT Or te a 1900
Scallop —Habits and Life History of the Scallop.—Paper by
VonabhanViissencrscessiete,4 seventies acme a here ae eteweN 1900
{ 1897
1898
1899
1900
SOUP iret, ois) 2. «'- Minas Naan alone ack Senet cttccrarars ote theca ase aloes 4 1904
1905
1905
1906
| 1909
Sea Clam. (See Beach Clam.)
pea Harming, Exhibition of Results of... 0.065.066 6.5 ee ees { 1908
(See also Exhibit for Washington Co. Agricultural Asso’n.) | 1909
S(GH, RYO) Os iar chalet @ ete RS ROE tal CRIS Peale nA i ea aeieaet At Se 1909
- : § 1902
PD) STEEL 0k ap. altel or MSR ISR aa aA aye RS SC aa aa | 1903
: ( 1908
Seaween industry OF JApaMs .. o)< die ecc'lsicee sie leihicls'aic'e sie wleeitiayele ¢ | 1909
RE NERD OLE Tne) 9 UREN AA ral ik eur Ae IS het aap haa a ia 1906
bo
bo
ce |
Page.
i)
iw)
lop)
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
for the
Year. Page.
( 1900 10
1901 9
1902 15
SIH AG py avE ePs rset Ae AMOR 2 SA pee z8
1904 10
1905 4
1906 Sie
1907 32
SHHEIOI, altel orig Nae deus cud eel RI Oe pene oie te ne ena EA 1900 18
Sharks, Commercial Value (See Statistics).
, 1907 68
Sales hePAMENVCaM. :ois 7. Be isorse aio: eiete oe tation eave mists ee ensign Sear 1907 33
Sounds, Commercial Value (See Statistics).
Spanishewackerel -iscria cuss ounce cs acas ae a es ee eee oe 1906 33
Spawn, Commercal Value (See Statistics).
SpawmincGround Of Hishes’ cyesc oct a. passes le ace cee 1 ce Pe
Spring and Summer Trap Fishing off Newport, 1905-1909...... 1909 177
1897 i)
1898 EL
1899 9
1899 16
SIUIELEASUCs cre) cee cus ha ee oie coe malate Aisa citys a wing wayetavere tad a eae ; 1900 18
1904 11
1904 15
1905 iy
1909 aia
. PVIQ UIE IOL Fh. cs sronsiere cia ~ wie pe eecua oies Baye Ds Seiacalthe nee 1907 85
Sight Rees pve AN Re nae Hed Uc OREN am RgUata ammo RTP. 1909 177
Starfish— ( 1897 14
a DIS TrID WOMAN oe 5 ole set a ware cus kde Pree ee sas oaksse ee 1898 34
1898 38
re 1 Soe) 000 (=): eae ae eters once ALS Ceara he een Rec arPPORT A Recie fees eS
Sis Sie ae Osta te dayel rons ce eels ie veue ces OMe eonL A | 1898 68
1897 19
nf Hod) (i csiaceM tose Jrdssd Nok clink dots aeons 1898 42
1898 55
bb Heeding Habits. 25. :.'s:s se ee 1k Mee one ie eer ee a
( 1897 25
ce harval Periods) ac8 en tcd caldiyuhenla tec ater eeety oe 1898 47
APPENDIX. 220
Report
for the
Starfish—Continued. Year. Page.
1897 28
r Methods,of Destruction.-: oc... pean pre serene ie 1898 74
“ . } 1897 16
Moderoiiliifere ater arcane coe is sioeeger tenis oraexctenls | 1898 40
1897 De
ss Ra terotaGrow,blikras acta vacete rare tor dec rorve crore enseterene 1898 58
1897 26
S$ ERE SENETAUIONY ch -sapcNioe acs sty ntoin couse otal a era ere area ; 1898 69
; ( 1897 25
; WIZE. BNOVA RE sere etiam o na orte ge ee ree rae 1 1898 66
1897 24
i SPA WEINS SCASOMN 5 Sar oo rete oh choy 2 scares g'atyoh ached wiovage oles 1898 44
“ Rancicn 4 § 1897 14
DECILES yon ts eet caterer sete Gra aon aM NaI anor Nde brcnoertieds | 1898 38
sf NOUMG: sora, asters oS cishe os ben iia eats, cusses sie o} Mel aaafelaye lat « 1898 47
1897 24
ce ec soriela D1GSOLi se evo co 1Stotacs Sisters gare tereotaee dete races xem a oe ieee a
Bor toristotecshidtajeretttice eee | 1898 50
, 1898 53
State Fisheries, Authorites (See Authorities).
1897 7
1898 U
1899 10
1900 10
1901 11
1902 16
Pros ; : ‘ 1903 14
Statistics of the Commercial Fisheries....................... 1904 12
1905 15
1906 20
1907 33
1908 28
1909 5
1909 20
BEMEALViEMCATS, SINCE NS SD co ihapane odin as alot asts does ose. ai alti hee 1909 22
MIRE RUN De Mart cS 2, 5 cekeba aes. abo ay we 8s ckse Me wahels anete San 1906 65
§ 1905 17
Pee COM eee ease eso Cie eeael «Shei hhc ee oer wien walis acon | 1906 m1
fe Commercial Value. (See Statistics.)
1904 15
PIPRCOL AB ee a chats aes ci, Steer ows noe re <= era Stic a oekene wikta s Ga 1905 17
1906 21
“cc
Commercial Value. (See Statistics.)
iw)
wo
Temperature of Water. (See Physical Examination.)
Ae ACEI eh. WROTE Ai aie eee MRR EI i neh a bee
BSL MEDS Le pe ats Reece y ie ncn cep ene ima Are We ia Oy eee Baid ohana
Times of Arrival and Departure of Food Fishes.............
(See List of Fishes of Rhode Island.)
“ Distribution of
raps, influence. of,,on. Line Pishing..,.).. ./.je\esihs sels wel elelere
MTApS UOCALLOM OL et at ele tik cis ereietleto eine Sed RAED Ir rb SRI
raps, Number ot, trom S98=TO0 On ya serie silts) -felcie ctelens ais
Ceol B 16) 656, (0) (0,.0)1e (below 16. 16,76). 0 6 216! 10/16).@) © 6] e016 40) (ee 28 19,70.
8 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
Report
for the
Year. Page.
§ 1900 57
| 1906 65
(1897 5
1898 11
1900 16
| 1901 12
ee rg
| 1905 17
1906 66
{ 1898 99
| 1899 42
| 1900 45
| 1905 17
1899 9
1900 58
1908 105
1909 177
1898 9
1903 16
| 1904 14
| 1905 21
\ 1908 7
1908 32
f 1909 30
§ 1899 15
| 1900 16
{ 1898 12
1899 11
1900 11
1901 13
1902 18
1903 16
| 1904 18
1905 22
1906 24
| 1907 38
1908 32
1909 Tl
| 1909 24
{ 1908 33
4 1909 7
APPENDIX. 229
Report
for the
Year. Page.
“a Magiegegaye DVIS See, pei ehh teen ca caren aber ee eae PR aa ae ee 1906 67
eee { 1900 58
Meryl ect euil erste aramee es cook eves ces efisiotercaae ats Sten ste Sey oleh es, miata ai | 1906 67
1897 4
1899 tf
1900 8
| 1901 9
1902 14
1903 13
POULG RE Rec aes ete ar nS MUG RL: alice rs Mabon aoe SNL | 1904 10
1905 Tle
1906 18
| 1907 5
1907 32
1908 4
1909 4
Turtles, Commercial Value (See Statistics).
UE
Wmitedistates: bureaulolhisheriessy sci aeerorsen ictus 1909 199
Ve
Venus mercenaria. (See Quahaug.)
WGMREK BELCPUNLS HU Gs 5 ONE LN Wala, dees edondiate Pore che ey store Rie) SES sheds 1906 67
TITLES OF SPECIAL PAPERS PUBLISHED IN THE ANNUAL
wo op
REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISH-
ERIES OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.
Mrap, A. D. The Starfish. (First paper.) Twenty-eighth Annual Report. 1898.
Mrap, A.D. The Starfish. (Second paper.) Twenty-ninth Annual Report. 1899.
Tower, R. W. Improvements in the Methods of Preparation of Fish for Shipment.
Twenty-ninth Annual Report. 1899.
Bumpus, H. C. The Extension of the Commercial Fisheries of the State. Twenty-ninth
Annual Report. 1899.
Kewtioc, J. L. The Life History of the Common Clam. Twenty-ninth Annual Report.
1899.
Mason, N. R. A List of the Diatoms Found in the Water over the Clam, Mussel, and
Oyster Beds in Narragansett Bay. Thirtieth Annual Report. 1900.
Meap, A. D. Observations on the Soft-shell Clam. Thirtieth Annual Report. 1900.
Meap, A. D. Observations on the Soft-shell Clam. (Second paper.) Thirty-first An-
nual Report. 1901.
Risser, J. R. H. Habits and Life History of the Scallop. Thirty-first Annual Report. 1901.
Meap, A. D. Habits and Growth of Young Lobsters and Experiments in Lobster Cul-
ture. Thirty-first Annual Report. 1901.
Meap, A. D. Observations on the Soft-shell Clam. (Third paper.) Thirty-second An-_
nual Report. 1902.
Meap, A.D. Habits and Growth of Young Lobsters and Experiments in Lobster Culture.
(Second paper.) Thirty-second Annual Report. 1902.
Mean, A. D. and Wruitams, L. W. Habits and Growth of the Lobster and Experiments
in Lobster Culture. (Third paper.) Thirty-third Annual Report. 1903.
Meap, A. D. and Barnes, E.W. Observations on the Soft-shelled Clam. (Fourth paper.)
Thirty-third Annual Report. 1903.
Mean, A. D. and Barnes, E. W. Observations on the Soft-shell Clam. (Fifth paper.)
Thirty-fourth Annual Report. 1904.
Barnes, E. W. Preliminary Inquiry into the Natural History of the Paddler Crab (Calli-
nectes hastatus) with Remarks on the Soft-shell Crab Industry of Rhode Island.
_ Thirty-fourth Annual Report. 1904.
Meap, A. D. Experiments in Lobster Culture. (Fourth paper.) Thirty-fourth Annual
Report. 1904.
Meap, A. D. Experiments in Lobster Culture. (Fifth paper.) Thirty-fifth Annual
Report. 1905.
Haptey, P. B. Changes in Form and Color in Successive Stages of the American Lobster
Thirty-fifth Annual Report. 1905.
Emmet, V. E. The Regeneration of Lost Parts in the Lobster. Thirty-fifth Annual
Report. 1905.
Tracy, H.C. A List of the Fishes of Rhode Island. Plates I-XII. Thirty-sixth Annual
Report. 1906.
Tracy, H. C. The Common Fishes of the Herring Family. Plates VII-XII. Thirty-
sixth Annual Report. 1906.
232
23.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
46.
APPENDIX.
Barnes, E. W. Methods of Protecting and Propagating the Lobster, with a Brief Out-
line of its Natural History. Plates XIII-XXVI and XXVIII, XXXI, XXXII,
XXXVI. Thirty-sixth Annual Report. 1906.
Hapuey, P. B. Regarding the Rate of Growth of the American Lobster. Plates XX VI-
XXXVII, and XL. Thirty-sixth Annual Report. 1906.
Haptey, P. B. Observations on Some Influences of Light upon the Larval and Early
Adolescent Stages of Homarus Americanus. Plates XXXVIII-XL. Thirty-sixth
Annual Report. 1906.
Emmet, VY. E. The Relation of Regeneration to the Molting Process in the Lobster.
Plates XL-XLI. Thirty-sixth Annual Report. 1906.
Tracy, H. C. The Fishes of Rhode Island, III. The Fishes of the Mackerel Family.
Thirty-seventh Annual Report.
Tracy, H. C. A List of Rare Fishes taken in Rhode Island in the year 1906. Thirty-
seventh Annual Report. .
WituramMs, Dr. Leonarp W. List of the Rhode Island Copepoda, Phyllopoda, and Os-
tracoda, with new species of Copepoda. Thirty-seventh Annual Report.
Emmet, V. E. Regenerated and Abnormal Appendages in the Lobster. Thirty-seventh
Annual Report.
Williams, L. W. The Stomach of the Lobster and the Food of Larval Lobsters. Thirty-
seventh Annual Report.
Hapuey, P. B. Regarding the Behavior of the Larval and Early Adolescent Stages of the
American Lobster. Thirty-seventh Annual Report.
Barnes, E. W. Lobster Culture at Wickford, Rhode Island, in 1906. Thirty-seventh
Annual Report.
Barnes, E. W. Lobster Culture at Wickford, Rhode Island in 1907. Thirty-eighth An-
nual Report, 1907.
Tracy, H.C. The Fishes of Rhode Island V. The Flatfishes. Thirty-eighth Annual
Report, 1907.
Tracy, H. C. The Fishes of Rhode Island VI. A Description of two young Specimens
of Squeteague (Cynoscion regalis) with Notes on the Rate of their Growth. Thirty-
eighth Annual Report, 1907.
Emmet, Vicror E. The Problem of Feeding in Artificial Lobster Culture. Thirty-eighth
Annual Report, 1907.
Tracy, H.C. The Fishes of Rhode Island VII. The Life History of the Common Eel.
Thirty-ninth Annual Report 1908.
Suutivan, W. E. Notes on the Crabs Found in Narragansett’ Bay. Thirty-ninth An-
nual Report, 1908.
Mean, A. D. A Method of Fish Culture and of Transporting Live Fishes. Thirty-ninth
Annual Report, 1908. (Paper Presented Before the Fourth International Fishery
Congress, Washington, 1908, and Awarded Prize of Two Hundred Dollars in Gold.)
Meap, A. D. A Méthod of Lobster Culture. Thirty-ninth Annual Report, 1908.
(Paper Presented Before the International Fishery Congress Washington, 1908, and
Awarded Prize of One Hundred Dollars in Gold.)
Tracy, H.C. Annotated List of Fishes Known to Inhabit the Waters of Rhode Island.
Fortieth Annual Report, 1909.
Barnes, E. W. Notes on the Spring and Summer Fishing in Deep Water off Newport,
During the Years 1905-1909. Fortieth Annual Report, 1909.
Barnes, E. W. The Plague of Sea Clams at Easton’s Beach, Newport. Fortieth
Annual Report, 1909.
Hapuey, P. B. Additional Notes Upon the Development of the Lobster. YF ortieth
Annual Report, 1909.
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