The weakfish or squeteague (_Cynoscion regalis_) is a type of a multitude of species, large, swift, voracious, but with tender flesh, which is easily torn. The common weakfish, abundant on our Atlantic coast, suffers much at the hands of its enemy and associate, the bluefish. It is one of the best of all our food-fishes. Farther south the spotted weakfish (_Cynoscion nebulosus_), very incorrectly known as sea-trout, takes its place, and about New Orleans is especially and justly prized. The California "bluefish," _Cynoscion parvipinnis_, is very similar to these Atlantic species, and there are many other species of _Cynoscion_ on both coasts of tropical America, forming a large part of the best fish-supply of the various markets of the mainland. On the rocky islands, as Cuba, and about coral reefs, _Sciænidæ_ are practically unknown. In the Gulf of California, the totuava, _Cynoscion macdonaldi_, reaches a weight of 172 pounds, and the stateliest of all, the great "white sea-bass" of California, _Cynoscion nobilis_, reaches 100 pounds. In these large species the flesh is much more firm than in the weakfish and thus bears shipment better. _Cynoscion_ has canines in the upper jaw only and its species are all American. In the East Indies the genus _Otolithes_ has strong canines in both jaws. Its numerous species are very similar in form, habits, and value to those of _Cynoscion_. The queenfish, _Seriphus politus_, of the California coast, is much like the others of this series, but smaller and with no canines at all. It is a very choice fish, as are also the species of _Macrodon_ (_Ancylodon_) known as pescadillo del red, voracious fishes of both shores of South America. _Plagioscion squamosissimus_ and numerous species of _Plagioscion_ and other genera live in the rivers of South America. A single species, the river-drum, gaspergou, river sheepshead, or thunder-pumper (_Aplodinotus grunniens_), is found in streams in North America. This is a large fish reaching a length of nearly three feet. It is very widely distributed, from the Great Lakes to Rio Usumacinta in Guatemala, whence it has been lately received by Dr. Evermann. This species abounds in lakes and sluggish rivers. The flesh is coarse, and in the Great Lakes it is rarely eaten, having a rank odor. In Louisiana and Texas it is, however, regarded as a good food-fish. In this species the lower pharyngeals are very large and firmly united, while, as in all other _Sciænidæ_, except the genus _Pogonias_, these bones are separated. In all members of the family the ear-bones or otoliths are largely developed, often finely sculptured. The otoliths of the river-drum are known to Wisconsin boys as "lucky-stones," each having a rude impress of the letter L. The names roncador, drum, thunder-pumper, croaker, and the like refer to the grunting noise made by most _Sciænidæ_ in the water, a noise at least connected with the large and divided air-bladder. [Illustration: