40 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



of five very slender rays ; the first rather longer, and more slender than the others ; the last 

 connected to the back by a broad membrane. At the distance of one inch from the membrane 

 of this fin, arises the second dorsal, slightly anterior to the origin of the anal : this fin is 

 highest in front, emarginate, and comprises ten rays ; the first slender, subspinous, simple ; 

 the others branched. The pectoral fins short, and composed of fourteen rays ; the two supe- 

 rior short and simple. Ventral fins feeble, short and rounded, placed under the first dorsal; 

 composed of one very slender, simple, and five branched rays. Anal fin similar in shape, 

 though somewhat higher than the second dorsal, and placed beneath it. Caudal fin deeply 

 forked, and comprises nineteen complete rays. 



Color. When recent, green above ; shining white beneath. The course of the lateral line 

 indicated by a yellow line, which, in modified lights, gives a polished silvery reflection. 

 Upper part of the head olive brown ; sides silvery. Caudal fin bordered with yellow. The 

 other fins white ; second dorsal fin faint greenish. Irides silvery, tinged with yellow. 



Total length, 8 # 0. Length of head, 2 "4. 



Fin rays, D. 5.1.9; P. 14; V. 1.5; A. 1.9; C. 19 f. 



This is a very active and voracious little fish. A number of them were caught in the harbor 

 of New- York, and placed in a vessel with several other species. In a few hours, they had de- 

 stroyed them all, and then commenced devouring each other. It has not been very commonly 

 observed, owing to the difficulty of capturing them ; but I have reason to believe that they are 

 not very rare. In its size, color and opercle, it differs very much from its great congener, the 

 dreaded Barracuta of the South. The short notice of the S. quachancho {Hist. Poiss. Vol. 3, 

 p. 342), renders it almost impossible to determine how far it is allied to our species. It 

 certainly cannot be confounded with the S. becune of the same authors. It appears in August 

 and September. 



Of the Genus Polynemus, which follows, I have observed no species on the coast of New- 

 York. Dr. Mitchill has indeed given a short notice of a species, which he names Polynemus 

 tridigitatus, but I am induced to believe that it belongs to another family. 



No species of the Genera Mulltjs and Upeneus, constituting the Family Mullidce, have, 

 to my knowledge, ever been seen on the coast of North America. 



