Stover's Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. 2 i J 



3. Lactophrys camelinus, Df.kav. 



Back elevated into a spine. Eight spines along ih e sides, over the orbits and tail. Ashen- 

 , with irregular black blotches on the dorsal hump and the sides. Abdomen soiled yel- 

 lowish-white. 

 D. 9. P. 10. A. 10. C. G. Length, 3i inches. 

 New York, Dekay. 



Lactophrys camelinus. Dromedary Trunk-fish, Dekav's Report, p. 341, pi. 58, fig. 190. 



CLASS II. CARTILAGINOUS FISHES. 



Skeleton cartilaginous. Cranium divided by indistinct sutures. < i ills gener- 

 ally fixed ; the membrane without rays. Maxillary and intermaxillary bones 

 either wanting or rudimentary, the palatines or vomer alone supplying their 

 place. 



ORDER I. ELEUTHEROPOMI. 



Gills pectinated, free, as in ordinary fishes, with one large external aper- 

 ture on each side, furnished with a strong opercle ; without rays. Upper jaw 

 formed by the palatine bone, firmly united to the maxillary ; intermaxillary ru- 

 dimentary. 



. FAMILY XXXII. STURIONTDJE. 



The genera of this family approach to ordinary fishes, by their gills being 

 attached only at one extremity. They have but one branchial aperture, 

 which is very open ; they have but one operculum, and are without rays to 

 the membrane of the gills. 



GENUS I. ACIPENSER, Lin. Au«v^oxa \> U <rt U"Ua^> 



Body elongated and angular, defended by indurated plates and spines, ar- ,, r , ,- /,. a j 4 Cinxi^ 



ranged in longitudinal rows; snout pointed, conical ; mouth placed on the / ^ ^ ^f j U>.4?<ol. f» (e-lrf 



under side of the head, tubular, and without teeth. It 2>k> . 



1. Acipenser oxyrinchus, Mitchill. 

 Body pentagonal. Of a grayish-brown color above ; inferior portion of sides silvery ; be- 



