FAMILY SCOMBRID.E ARGYREIOSUS. 125 



Length, 3-0-6-0. 



Fin rays, 1st D. 1.4.4; 2d D. 1.22; P. 17; V. 1.5; A. 2.1.18; C. 17. 



Cuvier has received the above species from New-York, and is positive that it is identical 

 with the Z. vomer of Linneus. 



THE HAIR-FINNED ARGYEEIOSE. 



Argyreioscs capillaris. 

 plate xxvii. fig. 82. —(state collection.) 

 Hair-finned Dory, Zeus capillaris. Mitchill, Lit. and Phil. Soc. Vol. 1, p. 383, pi. 2, fig. 2. 



Characteristics. The second and third rays of the first dorsal, and the anterior rays of the 

 second dorsal, filamentous. Length 4| inches. 



Description. The vertical and longitudinal diameters nearly equal, and the oblique facial 

 line nearly parallel with the base of the anal, which gives a somewhat rhomboidal figure to 

 the outline of the fish. The surface is covered with a smooth lustrous skin, in which occur 

 granulations, more particularly towards the tail. Lateral line scaly, rising with an abrupt 

 irregular curve over the pectorals, and then proceeding straight to the tail. Nostrils double, 

 oblique, one above the other, and in a line with the pupil of the eye. Facial profile acute, 

 descending at an angle of 60°, until it arrives at a point vertical to the eye, when it proceeds 

 at an angle of about 15° to the first dorsal ; on this part are three rounded protuberances. 

 Lower jaw longest, ascending with a distinct chin, and with minute asperities on the lower 

 jaw. Upper jaw with similar asperities on its inner edge. Opercle smooth, and furnished 

 with a lustrous silvery membrane. Several branchial rays. 



The first dorsal fin commences above the base of the pectorals, with a short spine closely 

 applied to the succeeding ray, which is produced into a black filament three inches long, the 

 third ray also ending in a filament an inch and a half long ; the last is simply spinous, and 

 about ■ 2 long. Between this and the second dorsal are four low sharp recumbent spines, 

 concealed in a furrow, and not connected with the first dorsal fin. These spines are appa- 

 rently isolated, but are in fact connected with each other by a low membrane. At a short 

 interval, but unconnected with it, commences the second, or what might be termed a third 

 dorsal fin : first ray short, and spinous ; the second filamentous, two inches long, and bifid at 

 the tip ; the next filamentous, and one and a half inches long ; the succeeding one also fila- 

 mentous, and one inch in length ; the remainder branched, and counting from the seventh ray, 

 are subequal. Pectorals falciform ; the fifth ray longest, and reaching to the straight portion 

 of the lateral line. Ventrals extend to the fourteenth ray of the anal fin, with the vent imme- 

 diately behind them. Between the vent and the anal fin are two broad triangular spines. 

 The first ray of the anal short, spinous, with a tooth on its base directed forward. The first 

 two or three rays of the anal fin prolonged into filaments one and a half inches long ; the 

 remaining rays branched, subequal. Caudal deeply forked. 



