40 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
of five very slender rays ; the first rather longer, and more slender than the others ; the last 
connected to the back by a broad membrane. At the distance of one inch from the membrane 
of this fin, arises the second dorsal, slightly anterior to the origin of the anal: this fin is 
highest in front, emarginate, and comprises ten rays; the first slender, subspinous, simple ; 
the others branched. The pectoral fins short, and composed of fourteen rays ; the two supe- 
rior short and simple. Ventral fins feeble, short and rounded, placed under the first dorsal ; 
composed of one very slender, simple, and five branched rays. Anal fin similar in shape, 
though somewhat higher than the second dorsal, and placed beneath it. Caudal fin deeply 
forked, and comprises nineteen complete rays. 
Color. When recent, green above ; shining white beneath. The course of the lateral line 
indicated by a yellow line, which, in modified lights, gives a polished silvery reflection. 
Upper part of the head olive brown; sides silvery. Caudal fin bordered with yellow. The 
other fins white ; second dorsal fin faint greenish. Ivides silvery, tinged with yellow. 
Total length, 8°0. Length of head, 2°4. 
Binirays; Dio Oe sbwlas Valeo: A. IO iC. 09 2. 
This is a very active and voracious little fish. A number of them were caught in the harbor 
of New-York, and placed in a vessel with several other species. In a few hours, they had de- 
stroyed them all, and then commenced devouring each other. It has not been very commonly 
observed, owing to the difficulty of capturing them ; but I have reason to believe that they are 
not very rare. In its size, color and opercle, it differs very much from its great congener, the 
dreaded Barracuta of the South. The short notice of the S. guachancho (Hist. Poiss. Vol. 3, 
p- 342), renders it almost impossible to determine how far it is allied to our species. It 
certainly cannot be confounded with the S. becune of the same authors. It appears in August 
and September. 
Of the Genus Potynemvs, which follows, I have observed no species on the coast of New- 
York. Dr. Mitchill has indeed given a short notice of a species, which he names Polynemus 
tridigitatus, but I am induced to believe that it belongs to another family. 
No species of the Genera Muttus and Uprnevs, constituting the Family Mullida, have, 
to my knowledge, ever been seen on the coast of North America. 
