Evening star., 1915-11-13
THE DEBUT OF THE
TILE FISH.
.By Frederic J. Haskin.

The rise of the tileish In the markets
of New York is a striking example of
the suggestibility of the human mind.
Ever since the scarcity of meat became
a problem in this country government
experts have been pointing out that the
American people ought to eat more
fish All of their arguments, however.
have not done much to increase the
consumption of seafood until the tile
fish made it's debut. A month ago this
creature of the deep sea was absolutely
unknown except to a few scientists. In
a stratum of warm water far below the
surface 1t had been multiplying for
generations beyond the reach of hook
and net.
The experts of the fish commission
knew it was there all the time. and
few weeks ago they decided it was suf-
ficiently numerous to be put upon the
market Forthwith the commissions s
little vessel, Stranger. went out, with
two dories, and began bringing in tie
fish at the rate of 5000 pounds a day.
Specimens were put on exhibition at
the aquarium. a French chef was en-
ployed to devise attractive ways OF
cooking it. fish dealers were supplied
with colored pictures OF 1t to use for
advertising, and exclusive clubs and
restaurants we're induced to put 1t upon
their bill of fare.
Almost in a day the tilef1sh became
famous. After years of retirement in
the depths of the sea he suddenly,
found himself one of the most promi-
nent figures in New York society. In
cidentally, such is the demand for tile
fish that the commission is now begin
ming to worry about keeping up the
supply. 1t is exploring the sea bottom
in the vicinity of Chesapeake bay with
a view to finding new waters which
may be stocked with this popular fish.
So by advertising and example, the
American people have been induced to
eat a few
Habits of the Public million
Seem Easy to Control. fish pIan and util-
ize an entirely new food resource. The
example Of the tilehsh would seem to
prove the habits of the public are sim
gularly easy to control if you only go
at it in the right way. Lectures and
pamphlets about the need for eating
more fish and less meat have had little
or no effect, but show the people col
ored picture of brand new fish, tell
them that it is being served at smart
restaurants and clubs and they will go
any lengths to get it.
The tilefish has had a most interest
ing history. 1t was discovered by GER
tain Capt. Kirby in May Of 1879 near
the hundred-fathom curve south Of Nan
tucket. He sent specimens of the fish to
the United Stats fish commission, which
named it, because Of its brilliant colors,
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps.
Shortly after its discovery a great
catastrophe overlook the whole tribe of
tileflsh. Vessels sailed for fifty and sixty
miles through waters covered with mil
lions of dead ones. The cause OF this
wholesale destruction was never fully de-
termined, but is believed to have been
due to a vagary Of the gulf stream, which
receded slightly from its usual course and
failed to warm the stratum Of water in
which the tilefish lives.
Ten years later another change of the
gulf stream rectffed the condition and
the commission found that the t.lefish
were on the increase. Its presence was
not made known to the public until a
decided it was. sufficiently abundant to
be exploited for commercial purposes.
~
In New England the commission has
made strenuous efforts to popularize
the sea mus
Effort to Popularize sci in the
Sea Mussel Same Way. same sam a~ was cs
ceeded SO well with the tilefish. This
mussel is regarded as great delicacy
In Europe. but in the United States un-
til recently has been used only for fer