FAMILY CHETODONTIDEZ — EPHIPPUS. 99 
THE MOON-FISH. 
EpuHIpPus GIGAs. 
PLATE XXIII. FIG. 74. (CABINET OF THE LYCEUM.) 
L’Ephippe géant, E. gigas. Cuv. et Vat. Vol. 7, p. 121. 
Characteristics. Body without bands or spots. Crest of the cranium enlarged. Opercle 
more crenulate than in the preceding. Length 15 inches. 
Description. Body oblong oval; the outline above the branchial aperture enlarged. Scales 
large, orbicular, and of a robust texture. Lateral line concurrent with the back. Eyes, 
nostrils and opercle as in the preceding species. The preopercle, however, appears to be 
more distinctly crenulated on its margin. ‘Teeth conic, bristly, in numerous series. Branchial 
rays, six. 
The dorsal fin composed of eight spines and 1°21 softer rays ; the longest rays appear to 
be more prolonged than in the preceding species, and more arcuated on the outer margins, 
but resemble them in shape. Ventrals with one spinous and five soft rays; the second ray 
filamentous, but does not extend to the anal fin. Anal with three spinous rays, and eighteen 
soft rays. Caudal fin very wide, excavated on its margin. The first interspinous bone of the 
anal is club or mallet-shaped. 
Color. Dark bluish brown, with metallic lustrous reflections, and without spots or bands. 
The sides of the head tinged with lustrous green. 
Length, 15:0. Depth, 8:0. 
Binwrays; DeSal2l P63) Vid ois Anos lO iC. 177s 
I have never seen but the specimen in the Cabinet of the Lyceum, from this harbor ; and 
the description has, therefore, all the imperfections arising from observations made on a pre- 
served specimen. It is rare on our coast, the mouth of the Hudson river being probably its 
northern limit. It was sent to Cuvier from New-York. Along the coast, it ranges to Rio 
Janeiro, and probably still farther south. 
