THE FISHES OF NEW. JERSEY. 207 
thin deciduous scales. Dorsal and anal low, similar to each other, 
each with 4 to 9 detached finlets as in Scombride. Pectorals and 
ventrals small. 
Pelagic fishes swimming close to the surface in large schools 
in temperate regions. They bear a close resemblance to the mack- 
erels in form, color and habits, as well as in the dorsal and anal 
finlets, the significance of which resemblance is unknown. One 
species recorded from our shore. 
Genus SCOMBRESOX Lacépéde. 
The Sauries. 
Scombresox saurus (Walbaum). 
Bill Fish. 
The single species on our coast may easily be determined from 
any of its relatives by the presence of dorsal and anal finlets. 

Bill Fish. Scombresox saurus (Walbaum). 
It is said to reach a length of 18 inches. As they assemble 
in large schools they are preyed on by tunnies or other predatory 
fishes. I have no New Jersey examples, but include the species 
on Dr. Abbott’s reference. 
Scomberesox scutellatus Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 814. 
Family HEMIRAMPHIDE-. 
The Balaos. 
Body elongate, more or less compressed. Upper jaw short, 
lower various, sometimes much produced, and toothed portion at 
base fitting against toothed premaxillaries. Teeth equal, mostly 
small and tricuspid. Maxillaries anchylosed to premaxillaries. 
