158 HEMULON FULVO-MACULATUM. 



Splanchnology. The peritoneum lining the walls of the abdomen is very dusky. The liver consists 

 of two lobes united by a very thin transverse portion ; the right lobe is more than twice as thick in 

 front as the left, and extends about half the length of the abdomen ; the left lobe is slender, and 

 terminates in a point beyond the right. The stomach is long, narrow, cylindrical, and about three 

 fourths as long as the abdominal cavity; its walls are not very thick, and there are numerous 

 longitudinal folds on its mucous surface when it is undistended. The pyloric branch is very short, 

 and departs from the stomach near its anterior extremity ; there is a well-marked contraction at 

 the pylorus. The small intestine runs half way to the vent, and is there reflected to the pylorus, 

 whence it turns backwards to end in the rectum ; which is long, though less capacious, and 

 with thicker walls ; the rectal valve is tolerably well marked. The inner face of the small intes- 

 tine is beautifully reticulated in its whole extent; the same is true of the rectum, yet less evident- 

 ly. There are six coecal appendages, delicate and long ; some of them are more than two inches 

 in length. The spleen is long, narrow, flattened, though thick in the middle and thin at its extremi- 

 ties ; it is of a very dark colour. The testicles are thin and sub-prismatic in form, resting on the 

 air-bladder, and when empty extend half the length of the abdomen. The air-bladder is large, 

 with tolerably thick walls, and extends the entire length of the abdomen ; it is pointed behind, but 

 broad before, and from its anterior extremity proceed forwards three slender horns, each about 

 half an inch long, though the central one may be slightly the longest. The kidney is large and 

 thick, but short ; the urinary bladder is large. 



Habits. The Sailo/s Choice makes its appearance in our waters about the 

 month of April, and continues with us until November, when the largest are 

 taken. I have found in the stomach of this animal only the fragments of small- 

 er fish, and yet it takes the hook readily when baited with shrimps or clams. 



Geographical Distribution. The Hemulon fulvo-maculahim is found along 

 the coast from Georgia to Virginia, where it is called Hog-Fish, and is held in 

 great estimation by epicures. 



General Remarks. This animal was first made known to naturalists by Dr. 

 Mitchill. 



