92 Dn. SHAw’s Defcription of the Siylephorus. 
commences a fmaller fin, which conftitutes part of ‘the caudal ‘one. 
The caudal fin itfelf is furnifhed with five remarkable fpines, the 
roots or originations of which may be traced to fome depth in the 
, thin part of the tail. The general colour of this fifh is a rich 
filver, except on the flexible part belonging to the roftrum, which 
is of a deep brown; the fins and caudal procefs are alfo brown; 
but not fo deep as the part juft mentioned. There is no appearance 
of fcales on this fifh. It fhould be placed in the firft order of the 
Linnean diftribution of Fith, or Apodes, from its having no ventral 
fins. So remarkable is the appearance of the head, that I almoft 
doubted whether it might not with greater propriety be placed 
amongft the nantes than the fifhes, properly fo called; till on con- 
fidering the appearance of the branchiæ, and fome other particulars 
. relative to the general form of :the animal, I was convinced that it - 
clearly and indifputably belonged to the tribe of Pifces. From the 
very fingular figure and fituation of the eyes in this creature, I have 
ventured to give it the generic name of Stylephorus; and as the 
trivial name cannot be taken from any circumftance more properly 
than from the extraordinary thread-like procefs of the tail, I have 
therefore applied that of chordatus. The Stylephorus chordatus is 
a native of the Weft Indian Sea. It was taken between the Iflands 
of Cuba and Martinico, near a fmall clufter of little iflands about 
nine leagues from fhore, and, was feen {wimming near the furface. 
The whole length of this uncommon animal, from the head to 
the extremity of the caudal procefs, is about thirty-two inches, 
of which the procefs itfelf meafures twenty-two. 
TAB. 6. reprefents the animal of its natural fize. 
VIII. De- 
