MALACOPTERYGIANS : ESOCID^E. 



343 



Fig. 215. 



Pickerel, E. rcticulatiis, LeSueur. 



extensively armed with very sharp teeth. Twenty-five or 

 more species 'are known, all inhabiting fresh waters. 



The Genus Esox is characterized by an oblong,, broad, 

 and depressed snout. The species are very voracious. 

 The Muskallunge, or Pike, E. estor, LeS., of the North 

 American lakes, is twelve to forty-eight inches long, and 

 sometimes attains the weight of thirty pounds. The Com- 

 mon Pickerel, E. 

 reticulatits, LeS., 

 of the Eastern 

 States, is from 

 twelve to thirty- 

 six inches long. 

 The Short-nosed Pickerel, E. fasciatns, Dekay, is smaller 

 than the preceding, with a short snout, and is common in 

 the brooks and rivers of New England. 



SCOMBERESOCID/E, OR BiLL-FiSH FAMILY. This Fam- 

 ily is allied to the preceding one, with which it was for- 

 merly united. All the representatives are marine. 



The Genus Belone Gar-Fishes has the head and 

 body greatly elongated, the jaws narrow, pointed, and 

 armed with numerous small teeth. The bones are re- 

 markable for their green col- 

 or. The Gar-Fish, B. trun- 

 cata, LeS., of the Atlantic, is 

 from twelve to twenty-four 

 inches long, green above and 

 silvery beneath, with a dark 

 green longitudinal band upon 

 the sides. 



The Genus Scotnbcresox has the last rays of the dorsal 

 and anal detached. The Bill-Fish, S. Storcri, Dekay, of the 

 Atlantic coast of the United States, is from ten to twelve 

 inches long, dark green above, silvery below. 



FlSTULARID^E, OR FLUTE-MOUTH FAMILY. ThlS Fam- 



Fig. 216. 



Gar-Fish, B. trtincata, LeS. 



