94 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



SCB-CIAS3 TeLEOSTEI. BATRACQOIDiE. 



forward of the vent, cylindrical and flattened, or compressed back 

 of it. It is of a slaty color mottled with darker spots — abdomen 

 yellowish, sides silvery. Scales rough, hard, toothed finely on 

 their outer margins, with a ridge on each of those on back and 

 sides. 



" First dorsal is composed of two nearly free and flexible fila- 

 ments nearly abreast of each other and united near the base by a 

 low membrane ; closely contiguous to these, but not united to them 

 by a membrane, follow four feebly spinous rays, united together by 

 a membrane and the rays diminishing in length backwards. Both 

 this, and the following fin, are lodged in a groove. Between this 

 and the second dorsal is a short immovable triangular crest, the 

 "stiff spiny stump " of Mitchill." [DeKay."] Second dorsal of 

 a quadrangular shape with a very delicate membrane. 



Pectorals large, and when spread very wide and extend to the 

 base of the tail. They are made up of two parts ; the first having 

 six rays in part free at their tips, and the posterior or main fin. Ven- 

 trals beneath the pectorals, and beneath the second dorsal. The 

 caudal is fanshaped and concave at its extremity. It has two ele- 

 vated scales resembling finlets near the base. 



Ray formula — 



D. 2, 4, 1, 8 ; P. 30, 6 ; V. 1, 4 ; A. 6 ; C. 10. 



Length 4 to 6 inches. 



Synonymes — Trigla volitans, Shaw. 



Polynemus sex radiatus, Mitch. 



Family Batrachoid.e, Rich. 



Char. Body more or less tapering, snbdepressed anteriorly, and 

 compressed posteriorly ; in some protected by ctenoid scales, oth- 

 ers scaleless. 



Head branchial, apertures continuous under the throat in some 

 genera, and widely separated by an isthmus in others. Four bran- 

 chial combs in some, and three only in others. Some have the sub- 

 orbital bone, other genera want it. Carpus much developed, but all 

 the carpal bones contribute to its developement. 



Fins. Pectorals not pediculated but exhibit a broad and fanlikc 

 base. Ventrals inserted in advance of the thoracic belt. 



Stomach has pyloric appendages. 



Air bladder wanting. 



