SCIENTIFIC SURVEY. 7^5 



Sub-class Tbleostei. ScoMBEOiDiB. 



which they were formerly described. For description of Scombroid 

 family see further along. 



Genus Rhombus, La. Cepede. 



Gen. CiiAii. Head and body compressed. Body covered with minute scales. A 

 small trenchant and pointed blade before the vent. A horizontal partially connect- 

 ed spine before the dorsal and anal fins. 



Rhombus triacanthus , DeKay. 

 Short-finned Harvest fish. Skip Jack. 

 DeKay says of this fish that it is equally remarkable for the 

 splendor of its coloring and its excellence as an article of food, 

 although many fishermen consider them unfit for eating on account 

 of the unpleasant odor which they emit when opened. They are 

 believed to feed chiefly on marine plants. He found the oeso- 

 phagus of many which he opened, filled with pebbles about the size 

 of a pin's head. When taken from the water at night, it is said to 

 emit vivid phosphoric flashes. 



Prof. Peck describes them on the New Hampshire coast as long 

 ago as 1194. They are sometimes used on Cape Cod as a manure. 

 They make a good bait for mackerel. 

 Ray formula — 



D. 3, 45 ; P. 19 ; A. 3, 42 ; C. l^.— DeKay. 

 Storer has it — 



D. 45; P. 21; A. 43; C. 20. 



Stnontmes. — Poronotus triacanthus. Gill. 

 Stromateus triacanthus. Peck. 

 Stromateus cryptosus, Mitchill. 

 Peprilus cryptosus, Cuvier. 



Family Scombroid.e. 

 Mackerel. 

 This family has been recently sudivided into several subfamilies, 

 among which are enumerated Scombrince, Bona.; Orycnince, Gill.; 

 Carangince, Bona.; Seriolince, Gill. We cannot now give the char- 

 acters of each, and therefore recite the character given to the fam- 

 ly before its subdivision. 



Char. — Body exceedingly diversified in form and aspect, cov- 

 ered with minute scales, giving a smooth appearance to the skin. 



