LEIOSTOMUS OBLIQUUS. 167 



of larger size. The pyloric portion is even larger than the stomach itself, from which it departs at a 

 right angle. There are eight ccecal appendages, not as large, but about as long, as the stomach. 

 The small intestine runs nearly to the vent ; it then returns to the ccEcal appendages, whence it is 

 reflected backwards to terminate in the rectum, with a very distinct valve. The spleen is dark 

 purple in colour, and of small size ; its posterior extremity being on a line with the rectal valve. 

 The testes are oblong, narrow, extend about half the length of the abdomen, and unite far behind 

 into one. The air-bladder is small, narrow, lanceolate, and extends throughout the whole length of 

 the abdominal cavity. The kidneys are small and narrow ; there is no urinary bladder. 



Habits. This fish appears on our shores in April, and remains until Decem- 

 ber, and still later in mild seasons. It feeds on smaller fish, and various other 

 marine animals, as fragments of shells are frequently found in its stomach. Great 

 numbers are brought to our market during the summer months, though its flesh 

 has but little flavour ; yet in New York, where its food may be of a better quality 

 or more abundant, it is held in good estimation. 



Geographical Distribution. The Leiostomus obliquus is known to inhabit the 

 Atlantic coast from Cape Florida to Rhode Island, but I have no evidence of its 

 existence beyond these limits, either north or south. 



General Remarks. Dr. INIitchill, who first described this fish, considered it a 

 mullet (3Iu(fil obliquus) ; but he afterwards changed this opinion, and placed 

 it in the genus Labrus, retaining, however, his specific name obliqmis, from its 

 dusky bars. Cuvier and Valenciennes arranged it in the genus Leiostomus, 

 Avith the specific name humeralis, from the oval dusky spot on the shoulder, 

 though they were aware of that previously applied to it by MitchUl ; Dr. DeKay 

 has, however, restored his prior and appropriate specific name. 



