103 



ELEVEN-SPINED CENTROPOME. 



C&itropomus undecimalis Lacep. 



PLATE IV. 



Centroponie undecimal, Lacepede Sciena undecimalis, 



Block, 305, Auct. Cuv Le Centropome brochet de 



mer, Centropomus undecimalis, Cuv. et Valen. Hist. 

 Nat. des Poissons, ii. p. 102. 



B. 7; D. 8— 1.10; A. 3.6; C. 17; P. 15; V. 1.5. 



Lacepede formed the present sub-genus for 

 the reception of the subject of the accompanying 

 plate, the principal distinctions of which are 

 taken from the gill covers, and is named from 

 having eleven spines in the last dorsal fin. It is 

 abundant, and forms a large article of consumption 

 in most parts of South America, in the French, 

 Spanish, and Portuguese colonies ; at Rio de 

 Janeiro, Lima, and Cuba. It frequents the mouths 

 of rivers, and even runs so far up as in some 

 parts to be counted a fresh water species. It is 

 every where much esteemed, appearing at the 

 tables of the most opulent. It reaches a weight 

 of above twenty-five pounds, and in the markets 

 is sold in cuts or pieces, like many of the larger 

 fish in this country. A kind of caviar is made 

 from the roes. 



