FAMILY GOBID.E ANARRHICAS. 159 



Four large projecting teeth on the intermaxillary above, diverging outward, and seven 

 smaller acute teeth behind, conic, pointed, with large tubercles on the inner side. Nine on 

 the vomer, with flat crowns, becoming larger behind ; the last, however, small. In a large 

 individual, the vomerine teeth were apparently consolidated into one mass. On the upper 

 pharyngeals are sharp and recurved teeth, disposed in two series ; in a large individual, they 

 were very robust, and nine in number on each side. In the lower jaw, two large projecting 

 teeth in front, and two others of the same size, but recurved. Three to four smaller acute 

 irregularly disposed teeth on each side, followed by thirteen flat crowned molars disposed in 

 a double series. Two other rows of small acute teeth, arranged in a lunate order, on the 

 lower pharyngeals. 



The dorsal fin is nearly of a uniform height throughout, extending from the nape to the 

 caudal ; the last ray lying almost in contact with the external accessory ray of the caudal fin. 

 The dorsal fin is composed of simple rays, included in a very tough membrane ; and they 

 would scarcely be recognized as spinous, except posteriorly, where the rays pierce the skin. 

 Pectorals broad, rounded, four inches long, and scolloped on the margin. Anal long and low, 

 commencing about the middle of the body, and terminating near the caudal, from which, 

 however, it is separated by a distinct interval. Caudal rounded. The duodenum is so large 

 as to present the appearance of a double stomach.' Urinary bladder very large. 



Color. From a recent specimen four feet long, taken off Block island, we are enabled to 

 state the following particulars : General color leaden grey. Eleven or twelve broad black 

 bands on the sides, becoming indistinct towards the tail ; these bands bifurcate on the middle 

 of the body, each posterior branch anastomosing with the branch of the succeeding band or 

 stripe, and by their union giving rise to another vertical band, which ascends on the dorsal 

 fin : this fin, as well as the anal, bordered above with blackish. The rays of all the vertical 

 fins black. Irides yellow. Abdomen brownish ash, tinged with pink. 



Length, 30-0. Depth, 5-0. 



Fin rays, D. 74 ; P. 20 ; V. ; A. 45 ; C. 14 |. 



The voracious and savage character of this fish is manifest in the formidable array of teeth 

 with which he is provided, and by his vicious and pugnacious propensities when first drawn 

 from the water. Marvellous tales are related of the strength and power of his jaws, but 

 these more properly belong to the romance of Natural History. He is known under the 

 various popular names of Cat, Wolf-fish, and Sea Cat. His ill-favored aspect causes him 

 to be regarded with aversion by fishermen, but his flesh is by no means unsavory ; when 

 smoked, it is said to have somewhat the flavor of salmon. He prefers rocky coasts, and is 

 said to spawn in May. They are not unfrequently taken off Rockaway beach, as I am in- 

 formed, in company with the common cod. This I suppose to be the most extreme southerly 

 limits yet observed. In high northern latitudes, it is said to attain to the length of six and 

 eight feet. 



