1 10 Stoi'cr's Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. 



2. Rhombus triacanthus, Peck. 



Body ovate, very much compressed, particularly at the abdomen ; more elongated than the 

 preceding; its anterior dorsal and anal rays slightly elevated. Of a leaden color upon the back, 

 lighter on the sides, silvery upon the abdomen. Cheeks, intermaxillaries, chin, base of pec- 

 torals, and base of caudal fin, together with more or less of the abdomen, sprinkled with very 

 minute black dots. Opercles cupreous. Besides the lateral line are two others, one above 

 and the other beneath the lateral, which curve backwards with the body and terminate at the 

 fleshy portion of the tail. Twenty or thirty small circular black punctures, the orifices 

 of numerous ducts, on each side of the base of the dorsal fin. 



D. 45. P. 21. A. 43. C. 20. Length, 10 inches. 



New Hampshire, Peck. Massachusetts, Stoker. Connecticut, Ayres, Linsley. 

 New York, Mitchill, Cuv., Dekay. 



Stromateus triacanthus, Peck, Mem. Amcr. Acad., ii. p. 4S, pi. 2, fig. 2. 



Stromateus cryptosus, Cryptous Broad Shiner, Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., T. p. 365, 



pi. 1, fig 111. 

 Peprilus cryptosus, Cuv., Griffith's Cuv.,i. p 2^3. 

 LeRhoiiihe a fossettes, Rhombus cryptosus, Cuv. et Val., ix. p. 403. 

 Peprilus triacanthus, Three-spined Peprilus, Stot.er's Report, p. GO. 

 Rhombus triacanthus, Short-finned Harvest-fish, Dekay's Report, p. 137, pi. 75, fig. 80. 



If all the species of this genus have (he three spines which are so well marked in this spe- 

 cies, it may be thought necessary to change Peck's specific name, which now has the pri- 

 ority ; in which case Mitchill's specific name will be very appropriately substituted. 



GENUS XXV. LAMPRIS, Retzius. 



Body oval, greatly compressed, scales small ; a single elevated and elon- 

 gated dorsal fin, which has but one small spine at the base of its anterior edge ; 

 there are ten very long rays to each ventral ; the lobes of their caudal are also 

 very long, but all these prolongations become worn away with age. Sides of 

 the tail carinated ; teeth wanting ; branchiostegous rays, seven. 



1. Lampris guttatus, Retzius. 



The upper part of the back and sides are of a rich green, reflecting both purple and gold 

 in different lights, passing into yellowish green below ; above and beneath the lateral line 

 are various round yellowish-white spots, from which the fish received the name of Luna; 

 the irides are scarlet ; all the fins are bright vermilion. 



D. 2-52. P. 28. V. 1-9. A. 1-25. C. 30. Length, 4 to 5 feet. 



Newfoundland, Pennant. 



