CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 741 



I, 32; anal rays, II, 12; lateral-line scales, 60; length, 12 

 inches. Cape Cod to Florida. Valued for food. 



" This is a very rare species on our coast, and can scarcely be 

 considered as a member of the fauna." 



MBNTIOIRRHUS, Gill. 

 M. nebulosus, Mitch. (Umbrina.) Kingfish. Whiting. Barb. 



Irregular dark bars, those in front run backward and down- 

 ward, those further back the reverse ; fins all dusky ; body 

 terete, elongate ; snout very blunt ; eyes small ; lower jaw with 

 one thick barbel ; no air-bladder ; only one anal spine ; teeth in 

 both jaws ; dorsal spines high ; soft dorsal low and long. Dorsal 

 rays, X I, 26 ; anal rays, I, 8 ; lateral-line scales, 68. 



" This fine fish is abundant on our coast, but is not frequently 

 met with in the markets, or the wagons of traveling fishmongers. 

 As an article of food it has no rival." 



CYNOSOION, Gill. 

 (Cestreus, Gronow.) 



O. regale, Bl. & Schn. (Johnius, Otolithus.) Weakfish. Gray Trout. 

 Squeteague. 



Silvery, darker above, blotched, and with oblique undulating 

 lines ; second dorsal and caudal dusky and scaly ; lower fins 

 yellow or speckled ; teeth sharp, in narrow bands ; pectorals 

 short; one or two canines in upper jaw only; lower jaw project- 

 ing ; vertebrae, 14 -}- 10 ; body elongate, little compressed ; 

 mouth large ; anal spines feeble, one or two ; caudal not forked. 

 Of high rank as food-fishes. 



" This is a very abundant species, well known along our coast. 

 It affords excellent sport from the manner of seizing the hook, 

 but is of little value as an article of food." 



O. maculatum, Mitch. (Labrus squdeague, var. maculatum, Otolithus curoli- 

 nensis, drummondii.) Spotted Sea Trout. 



Bright silvery, darker above ; back with numerous black 

 spots, also on dorsal and caudal fins ; pectorals short. Dorsal rays, 

 X I, 25 ; anal rays, I, 10 ; lateral-line scales, 90. Southern. 



" This is an uncommon species on our coast, but is occasionally 

 met with in company with allied species." 



