38 



U. S. p. R. 



EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL EEPORT. 



along the rays of the dorsal and anal fins. They may be observed, smaller still, on the base of 

 the pectorals. 



The ground color is yellowish brown above, and olivaceous along the lower half of the flanks. 

 There are irregularly transverse, blackish brown blotches, sometimes interrupted, when they 

 constitute longitiidinal bands or vitt«3. The head is deep brown above. An elongated, trian- 

 gular, deep brown blotch, may be observed extending from the posterior rim of the orbit, its 

 summit, across the upper part of the opercular apparatus, its termination. The sides, and the 

 lower surface of the head are yellowish. The abdomen is dull yellow. The fins have the 

 general hue of the regions to which they belong. The dorsal and anal are blotched in the 

 direction of the transverse bands ; the pectorals and caudal are olivaceous, with traces of trans- 

 verse narrow blackish bars, the ventrals being unicolor. 



The entire length of the specimen figured and described is about eleven inches. 



References to the figures. — Plate XIII, fig. 1, represents Heterostichus rostratus somewhat 

 reduced in size. Fig. 2 is an outline from above. Fig. 3, a scale from the dorsal region. 

 Fig. 4, a tube from the lateral line. Fig. 5, a scale from the abdominal region. 



List of specimens. 



Family SPHYRAENIDAE, Bonap. 



We come now to a family composed, so far, of very few generic representatives, in which 

 the body, being covered with scales cycloid in structure, assumes an elongated and rather 

 slender aspect, though some species grow to a very large size. To give an idea of this, we 

 need but mention that the "barracuda" of our southern States, a fish attaining seven or 

 eight feet in total length, is one of its members. The snout is quite elongated and tapering 

 forwards, the jaws being provided with sharp teeth. There are two dorsal fins, widely sepa- 

 rated from each other, the first occupying about the middle of the back, the second about half 

 way between the latter and the caudal. The anal is opposite the second dorsal, and the ven- 

 trals are inserted under the first dorsal. The cheeks and opercular apparatus are covered with 

 scales. 



The fishes of this family are all marine, and of rather voracious propensities, they being 

 carnivorous, strong, and swift. Their flesh is not held in very great esteem. 



SPIIYRA.ENA, Artedi. 



Oen. enAB. — Long and acute teeth upon the preinaxillaries, dentaries, vomer and palatines ; lower jaw longer than the 

 upper. Promaxillarics forming the external margin of the upper arcade of the mouth. Caudal fin strongly bifurcated. 

 Second dorsal fin well developed, and composed of conspicuous and articulated, or soft r.iys. Scales small. 



SvN. — Sphyraena, Abtkdi, Gen. Pise. Append., 1738. Editio emend. Walbaum, 1792, 576. — Gov. &VAt., Hist, 

 nat. Poiss. IH, 1829, 325.— Stoker, Synops., 1846, 47. 



