CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 707 



MENIDIA, Bonap. 

 (Argyrea. Labidesthes.) 



M. notata, Mitch. Silversides. 



Premaxillaries protractile, broad posteriorly, with curved 

 edge, with filiform teeth in a band, none on vomer; lower jaw 

 short; color transparent green, with a lateral silvery band as 

 wide as the large eye ; first dorsal of four spines ; second with 

 one spine and eight soft rays; anal, one spine and twenty-three 

 rays. Length, 5 inches. 



" An abundant species found everywhere along our coast, both 

 in the open sea and the many bays and inlets." 



Family 



Barracudas. 



Ventrals abdominal ; dorsals well separated ; vertebrae twenty-four ; 

 body subterete, with small cycloid scales ; head pike-like, scaly ; jaws 

 large, lower projecting ; large, sharp teeth present ; air-bladder forked 

 in front ; lateral line well developed ; branchiostegals seven ; first 

 dorsal of five stout spines. 



SPHYR^JNA, Bloch. 



S. spet, Haiiy (borealis, vulgaris}. Barracuda. 



Olivaceous; silvery below; dusky blotches above in young; 

 body slender, with rather large scales ; first dorsal inserted some 

 way behind end of pectorals ; nine soft rays in second dorsal ; 

 anal, 1 spine, 9 soft rays. Length, 24 inches. 



" This small fish is generally to be met with in the small 

 streams of the coast counties of the State. There is nothing of 

 interest connected with it, its numbers not making it noticeable 

 except to the collector." 



S. guaguancho, Cuv. & Val. 



Differs from preceding in having first dorsal farther forward. 

 Anal, 2 spines and 8 rays ; length, 18 inches. Probably the 

 species referred to in remarks appended to preceding. 



