HISTORY OF THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 59 



which it is more or less confluent ; all its rajs spinous. 

 Anal also confluent with tail, the junction in both cases 

 being marked by a depression. Pectorals short. Ven- 

 trals thoracic, rudimentary, composed of one spine and 

 one ray. Coloration : olive above ; yellowish below ; 

 sides with obscure dark bars. Twelve black ocellated 

 spots disposed quite regularly on base of dorsal. Head 

 eight in body. Depth seven. Fin formula: D. LXXVIII. 

 A. II, 36 — 38. V. I, 1. Length seven inches. 



The above description is taken from two or three of 

 the larger of a number of specimens the writer procured 

 from St. John harbour, in September, 1893. Smaller 

 specimens are brown above, wdth a dark vertical bar 

 under the e3''e, and dorsal spots oblong. This fish is said 

 to attain a length of twelve inches. They live in shallow 

 water, gliding among the rocks and seaweed, for which 

 movements their thin eel-shaped and slippery bodies are 

 admirabl}^ suited. They seldom retire with the tide, but 

 lie concealed in their usual haunts. Young shell-fish, 

 worms, shrimps, and other crustaceans form their chief 

 food. The species occurs on both sides of the Atlantic. 



Stromateus triacanthus Peck. Harvest Fish. Dollar 

 Fish. 



This species is quite common on the southern coast of 

 Nova Scotia, and cannot be said to be rare in St. John 

 harbour, where some are taken every autumn in the weirs. 

 It is a scombroid fish, with body flat, thin and ovate, the 

 caudal peduncle being short and slender. The dorsal 

 and ventral outlines are about equally arched. Head 

 short and compressed. Mouth small, with blunt snout, 

 and maxillary not reaching the eye. Teeth minute, 

 weak, on jaws only. Gill membranes not united, free 

 from the isthmus. Lateral line concurrent with the 

 back, and a rudimentary one with the ventral outline. 



