190 GADITES. 



to us, that during his passage up the Mississippi 

 he had seen them six, seven and eight feet in 

 length. The farther south we examine the rivers, 

 the larger they appear to grow. 



ORDER VII. — MALACOPTERYGII 

 SUBRACHIATI. 



FAMILY I. GADITES. 



In this family, the ventral fins are fixed under the 

 throat, and considerably pointed ; the body is cov- 

 ered with soft scales, the head, however, being 

 without them ; all the fins are soft ; teeth in many 

 unequal rows, like a rasp, — and the branchial 

 openings have seven rays. Usually, all the fam- 

 ily have two, and sometimes three dorsal fins, and 

 a distinct caudal. The air-bladder is large. 



GEN. MORRHUA. 



Common Cod, — Gadus Morrhua. In the gill 

 membrane are seven flexible rays ; the head tol- 

 erably smooth ; body covered with loose scales ; 

 generally, in all the species found at the north ; 

 ventral fins very soft and slender. 



We consider it unnecessary to enter into a mi- 



