CHRYSOTOSUS. 309 



forked spines, — the first being long and semi- 

 flexible ; the anal fin is similar, the tail forked, 

 like the mackerel. 



There are other marks, such as two long, slen- 

 der, brush-like fins, under the throat, and pouting 

 lips, the under being a trifle the longest. The 

 black spots are said to have been given it by St 

 Peter, as in the haddock, by the pressure of the 

 thumb and finger. Another vulgar notion is this, 

 that St Christopher, in wading through an arm of 

 the sea, having caught a stray dory, left on it the 

 marks of the grip which he gave. Quin, the cele- 

 brated English comedian, is said to have brought it 

 into repute as a luxury, in his day, though it is 

 now neglected. Its usual length is not far from 

 ten inches. 



GEN. CHRYSOTOSUS. 



Moon-Fish, — Chrysotosus Luna. Within the 

 last few years, some of these splendid fishes have 

 been brought into port by homeward-bound ves- 

 sels. During long and tedious calms, within a 

 day's sail of Boston, Newburyport, Salem, &c. 

 the moon-fish has been taken with a hook, — 

 sometimes measuring six feet in length. The 

 body and tail are flat, oval, without perceptible 

 scales, short snout, and destitute of teeth. 



There are six rays in the gill membrane, the 



