1^ 



soidal, the dorsal and anal somewhat falcated and more distant 

 irow the tail than usual Lateral scales dimidiated. 



XXXn Genus. Double fin Dinectus. Dinecte. 



Differs from Sturgeon, by having tv/o dorsal and no abdom* 

 inaj fins. First dorsal anterior, the second opposed to the anal. 

 Three rows of scales as in Sterletus, 



This genus rests altogether upon the authority of Mr. Audu- 

 bon, who has presented me a dra^vmg of the only species be- 

 longing to it. It appears very distinct if his drawing be cor- 

 rect; but it requires to be exa.mmed again. Is it only a Stur- 

 geon incorrectly dravvn? 



lOlst Species. Flatjstose.Doublefin.. Dinectus truncatus, 

 jDinecte camus. 



Head one fifth of total length, conical, snout very short trun- 

 cated, eyes round. Body cylindrical deep brown above, silve- 

 ry white beneath, tail elongated: dorsal scales, 4 before the first 

 dorsal fin, 5 bctv^een the fins, and 4 behind the second, lateral 

 rows with about 30 small dimidiated scales. 



This fish was taken v.ith the seine near Hendersonville in 

 the spring of 18 IS by Mr. Audubon. Length two feet, skin 

 very thick and leathery. Mouth very larg'e and hangmg down 

 as in the foregoing, somewhat like a probo-ici?.. Pectoral and 

 anal fins trapezoidal, dorsal fins nearly triangular, the first larg- 

 er r.nd standing immediately behind the pectoral. Gill cover 

 rounded. Tail somewhat forked, the upper lobe thrice as long 

 as the lower. Four long white barbs, very near the end of the 

 snout, eyes above the mouth. 



XXXIII Genus. Stadefish. Polyodon. Polyodon. 



Differs from Sturgeon, by having a transversal mouth with 

 teeth, no barbs ?md no scales. Snout protruded ma long flat 

 process, gill cover elongated by a- membraceous appendage. 



This singular genus was first described by Lacepede. It be- 

 lonp-s to the family of Sturicrda^ along with the two foregoing 

 and the followinjr. Only one species is known as yet. 



102d Species. Western Spadefish. Polyodon foliums 

 7^olyodon feuille. 



He^id longer than the body, snout as long as the head, cucei- 



