96 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
Nostrils double, approximated; the posterior transversely oval, with a prolonged furrow 
towards the upper part of the orbit; the anterior nostrils round. Eyes large. Mouth with 
thick lips, protractile. 
Upper jaw with six large blunt teeth, some of which, particularly the exterior, are conic at 
their summits, the others truncated ; behind these are numerous smaller conical teeth, and 
on the sides of the jaw two series of flat-crowned molar teeth. Lower jaw with ten large front 
teeth, similar in shape and situation with those described above. Rounded tubercles in the 
pharynx, covered with numerous acute curved teeth. 
The dorsal fin commences above the base of the pectorals ; its spinous rays are lodged in 
a sheath, which is partially extended along the posterior branched rays: the first ray is very 
short, with a concealed recumbent spine at its base, directed forward; the second and third 
rays longest, with long membranous threads attached to them; these filaments are scarcely 
ever seen in the specimens which are brought to market, being easily destroyed from their 
excessive fragility ; even in those drawn out of water, they are often absent. The first rays 
of the soft portion are simple, feebly spinous (in the figure this is not given); the remainder 
branched : this portion is higher than the posterior spinous rays. Pectorals pointed, very 
long, reaching to the eleventh spinous ray of the dorsal. Ventral fins robust, with a long 
pointed triangular accessory scale beneath, not reaching to the vent. The vent is a long, nar- 
row longitudinal slit. Anal fin in a furrow, with three spinous and eleven branched rays. 
Caudal fin deeply lunated, rather than forked. 
Color. Deep brownish black on the top of the head, passing into light brown towards the 
snout. Nape with brilliant green and golden reflections, which are also distributed over the 
sides. Irides silvery, with a bluish tint often mottled with brown. <A black spot at the upper 
angle of the opercle, crossing the lateral line ; another black spot just above the base of the 
pectoral fin. Dorsal, anal and caudal deep brown. Ventrals bluish. Pectorals light yel- 
lowish. 
Length, 12°0. Depth, 4°5. 
Fin rays, (Deo doi eP.6s5 V4 lads Aol lem Crutnpess 
This well known and beautiful species is found in our waters in great abundance. They 
are most numerous in the summer season, but afew appear to remain during the whole year. 
It is a fish of excellent flavor, and were it not so abundant, would be more highly prized. It 
affords much sport to fishing parties, who go outside of the harbor in steam vessels and take 
them in great numbers. The name of Porgee has been stated to be of Indian origin, but I 
do not know upon what authority. The name of Pogge or Porgy, is applied in some dis- 
tricts of England to a species of Aspidophorus, which may have been borrowed by our 
ancestors. 
The range of this fish southward extends to Charleston, and probably still farther south. 
Northwardly it is found as far as the coast of Massachusetts, south of Cape Cod. About the 
year 1833, we learn from Dr. Storer, that an attempt was made to introduce them into the 
