ACANTHOPTERYGII. 151 



Macrognathus, Lacep. 



The muzzle is prolonged into a cartilaginous point, which extends 

 beyond the lower jawj the second dorsal and the anal separated from 

 the caudal. (l) 



Mastacembelus, Gronov. 



The two jaws about equal, and the dorsal and anal almost united 

 with the caudal. (2) Both subgenera inhabit the fresh waters of 

 Asia and feed on worms, which they obtain from the sand. Their 

 flesh is much esteemed. 



This is perhaps the proper place for a genus not yet well 

 understood. The 



NoTACANTHus, Bl. Campilodon, 0th. and Fab. 



The body much elongated, compressed, and covered with small 

 soft scalesj the obtuse muzzle projects in front of the mouth, which 

 is armed with fine and closely-set teeth; nothing on the back but 

 free spines; ventrals behind and beneath or on the abdomen; a very 

 long anal reaches to the tip of the tail, where it unites with a very 

 small caudal. 



Not. nasiis, Bl. 431. The only species known; it inhabits the 

 Arctic Ocean, and is two feet and a half in length. 



Seriola, Cuv. 



All the characters of a Lichia; a horizontal spine before the first 

 dorsal; a small free fin supported by two spines before the anal; 

 body compressed; a lateral line without carina or armature; but the 

 spines of the first dorsal are united into a fin by a membrane. 



One species, the Peche lait of the French at Pondichery; 

 Scomber lactarius, Bl., Schn.; Russ., 108, is remarkable for the 

 great delicacy of its flesh. 



Another, Seriola cosmopolitan Cuv.; Scomber chloris, BL, 339,^ 

 is noticed as one of the few fishes common to both oceans.(3) 



(1) Rynchohdella orientalis, Bl. Schn., or Ophidium aculeatum, Bl., 159, 2, or 

 Macrognate aiguillonne, Lacep. II, viii, 3; Bh. polyacantha, Bl., Schn., or Macrog- 

 nate arme, Lacep.; Buchan, pi. xxxvii, x, 6; Mh. aral, Bl., Schn., pi. Ixxxix; 

 Macrog. pancalus, Buchan., xxii, 7. 



(2) Rynchohdella halepensis, Bl., Schn.; Gronov., Zooph., pi. viii, a, x. 



(3) Add, Seriole Dumeril, liisso; Scomber fasciatus, BL, 341; Seriole de Rafin- 

 esque, Risso, or Trachurus aquilus. Raff., Caratt. xi, 3. 



