NATURAL HISTORY. 269 



ANGUILLIDil*; Ouvicr. 



75. Anguilla tenuirostris, DeKmj. 

 DeKay, N. Y. Faima^-f. p. 310, fig. 173. 

 The common eel is brought to market in almost every month of 

 the year. Few are sold entire ; most of them are exposed cleaned, 

 skinned, and with the head cut off. In this state they are generally 

 sold at twelve cents a pound. 



STURIONES. 

 76. ACIPENSER OXYRIIYNCIIUS, Mlt. 



DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, fi. p. 346, fig. 189. 



In the spring young specimens of this sturgeon, agreeing with the 

 description and figure of Dr. De Kay, are occasionally brought to 

 market. These young range from ten inches to two feet in length. 

 Larger individuals are cut into transverse sections or steaks and sold 

 by the pound. Whether these larger fish are the Acipenser oxyrhyn- 

 cus of Mit., or some other species, lam at present unable to say with 

 confidence, as I have not examined an unmutilated specimen. I have 

 been told they are occasionally brought entire, and even alive, into the 

 markets, and will, therefore, probably soon have an opportunity of 

 examining one. 



RAIADAE. 



77. Raia diaphanes^ 31it. 

 DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, fi. p. 366, fig. 218. 



This species is occasionally brought to market in winter and spring, 

 and sold under the name of " French skate." 



78. Rata l^evis, Mit. 

 DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, f. p. 370. 

 This ray is also brought to market occasionally in winter, but more 

 seldom than the preceding. 



Only the fleshy pectoral fins of this species are exposed for sale, the 

 head and tail being always cut off. The Raiadiaphanes, on the con- 

 trary, is generally to be seen entire, and is only cut up at the desire 

 of the purchaser. Neither of the species is much valued as food. 



PETROMYZONIDAE. 



79. Petromyzon American us, Les. 



DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, f. p. 379, fig. 216. 



The sea lamprey rarely appears in our market, and never in any 

 great quantity. I have seen them in small numbers in the month ol 

 April. Specimens two feet long, living and writhing on the stalls, 

 have then been offered at twelve to eighteen cents each. This hardly 

 corroborates the statement made by Dr. DeKay respecting the esti- 

 mation in which they are held by the epicures. 



