ACANTHOPTERYGII. 301 



Indians. The Mohigans call it checous. The French of 

 New Orleans also have it, and have given it the name of trout, 

 in consequence of its spots. 



This fish does not seem to be peculiar to North Ame- 

 rica. It has also been received by the Baron from Mar- 

 tinique. 



The Lonchurus ancylodon of Bloch is substantially nothing 

 but an otolithus with a pointed tail, and distinguished from 

 the others only by the extreme length of some of its teeth, and 

 the shortness of its muzzle ; but the cavities of its cranium, 

 the nudity of its palate, the length of the second dorsal, too 

 clearly indicate its natural family to admit of deception. And 

 these external indications are confirmed by those furnished 

 by the viscera, the bladder of the ancylodon having two horns, 

 and its pylorus four appendages, as in otolithus. Bloch has 

 associated this fish under the generic name of lonchurus, 

 (lance-formed tail), and only in consequence of the pointed 

 form of its caudal, to another fish of the family of the sciaenae 

 (lonchurus barbatus), which has the teeth equal, and has two 

 barbels ; distinctive characters very superior in importance to 

 the common character of a pointed tail, which is found else- 

 where more or less in a tolerably great number of otolithi, of 

 corvinae, and of Johnii. The Baron has made a particular 

 genus of the ancylodon. 



The corvinae differ from the maigres and otolithi in the 

 thickness and length of their anal spine, and form the otolithi 

 in particular, having no canines. The absence of barbels 

 distinguishes them from umbrina and pogonia. Besides the 

 disposition of the teeth is peculiar. Smooth and even in the 

 two jaws, they are preceded in the upper jaw by a rank 

 stronger than the others, and formed of pointed but equal 

 teeth. 



The corvina nigra is caught in salt lakes and ponds as well 

 as in the sea; but it does not appear that it ascends rivers. 



