36 NEW- YORK FAUNA. 



slightly behind the base of the pectorals, and containing no spinous ray. Anal fin commences 

 just before the termination of the dorsal, and has three short spinous rays. Caudal rounded, 

 nearly even. Stomach very small. Intestine traverses the long abdominal cavity with three 

 turns, and ends in the vent, under the throat. Six cascal appendages. Urinary bladder small, 

 oblong. Kidneys long and narrow, communicating directly with the bladder. Air-bladder 

 very large, rounded at the ends, simple. 



Length, 3' 0-4* 5. 



Radial formula, Br. 6; D. 3.11 ; P. 12 ; V. 0.7; A. 3.7; C. 17. 



This curious little species is also exceedingly rare, but four specimens having been obtained. 

 Although I have not met with it in this State, yet its already ascertained wide geographic 

 range leaves no doubt but that it will be detected here. In the Histoire des Poissons, the 

 two individuals described are arranged without hesitation as belonging to the same species ; 

 and Lesueur, who drew them both, assigns a new name, forgetting in this instance the abso- 

 lute rule of priority. The very doubtful propriety of naming species after individuals, leads 

 me to regret that I must restore the original name. It is worthy of remark, that Lesueur, 

 who drew and engraved the first specimen described by Gilliams, neglected noticing the very 

 peculiar position of the vent ; a circumstance equally unobserved by its describer. By a 

 typographical error in this latter description, twenty-seven rays are attributed to the anal fin. 



Little is known of its habits. It appears to prefer muddy pools, shaded by trees. At 

 New-Orleans, it is called by the Creoles Tetard de Saint Domingue. 



