44 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
wards, but not beyond the opercle. Opercle emarginate above, and ending in two points ; 
the superior directed obliquely upwards ; the lower scarcely longer, and is directed back- 
wards. Preopercle flat, narrow above, enlarged beneath, with a slight ridge directed back- 
wards, and ending in a small spine underneath the opercle. Mouth moderate, with a band 
of low even moderate teeth on the jaws, and a small transverse band on the anterior portion 
of the vomer. Tongue smooth. Lateral line nearly straight, unarmed, bifurcating near the 
tail. It is crossed by numerous short straight elevated lines. Scales over the body, small, 
oval, ciliate. Dorsal ridge strongly toothed. 
The first dorsal fin triangular, and composed of nine robust spinous rays; the anterior 
minutely denticulated ; the second longest, and it ends slightly in advance and above the vent. 
The second dorsal commences near the first, and is coterminal with the anal, containing 
eighteen subequal and (with the exception of the first) branched rays. Pectorals equal the 
head in length, are rounded, and comprise ten rays. ‘There are three free articulated rays 
adjoining, and under the base of the pectoral fins. Ventral fins as long as the pectorals, and 
placed beneath them ; the first is a short spine, and all are enveloped in a strong membrane : 
it comprises seven rays. Anal opposite the second dorsal, and somewhat shorter than that 
fin: it includes sixteen or seventeen subequal rays. Caudal fin crescent-shaped, with eleven 
entire, and four or five accessory rays on each side. 
Color. Above, on the head, back, dorsal and caudal fins, bright red. Belly, ventral and 
anal fins, silvery, tinged with reddish. Pectorals bluish. 
Length, 8-0 — 14°0. 
Radial formula, D. 9.18; P.10 + 3; V.1.6; A.16; C.11 4. 
Not having seen this fish myself on the coast of New-York, I have adopted the description 
from Cuvier and Valenciennes. ‘They mention having received ‘a specimen from New-York, 
“which so much resembles the JT. cuculus, not only in all its generalities, but even in its 
“ most minute details, that it is very difficult for us not to consider it as the same species ; 
but they add, “as our specimen was not recent, it may possibly present some distinctive 
“* characters.” 
b 
There is great reason to believe that Dr. Mitchill had this species in view, when he made 
the short note of the Polynemus tridigitatus as cited above. I find no other mention of it 
among his numerous writings. His Polynemus sexradiatus belongs to the genus Dyctalop- 
terus. It is possible that Smith had this species in view, when he describes the Mullus bar- 
batus on the coast of Massachusetts. 
The Red Gurnard is a well flavored fish, and highly esteemed in Europe. It feeds chiefly 
on crustacea. 
