340 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
in number above and below, and nearly similar in shape and size; the two anterior longest 
(see figure), prismatic, triangular, emarginate behind, and terminate in points ; the posterior 
teeth short, compressed, with cutting edges which are emarginate, the anterior points becom- 
ing more prolonged. Branchial aperture a short and narrow fissure, nearly vertical; placed 
in front of the superior part of the base of the pectorals. 
The first dorsal fin is composed of two, or as others may regard it, of three inequidistant 
spines. ‘The first is two inches high, stout and subtriangular, immediately above the branchial 
aperture ; broadly channelled behind from the base, gradually contracting to the tip: this 
spine is smooth on its sides, and roughened with asperities in front. ‘The second spine is 0°7 
high, smooth, acute, and contiguous to the first, with which it is connected by a membrane 
attached to more than two-thirds of its anterior surface. ‘Through inadvertence on the part 
of the engraver, the figure represents the appearance of another intermediate spine, which 
is, however, only the posterior outline of the anterior ray. The third spine resembles the 
second, but is more remote and apparently isolated, being an inch and a quarter distant, or 
nearly midway between the first and second dorsals ; it has a small attached membrane. All 
these spines lie in a deep groove, which entirely conceals them when recumbent. Second 
dorsal long, triangular ; the first ray half the length of the second; the fourth, fifth and sixth 
longest; from the fifth, which is 2°5 long, the rays decrease in length, a few of the posterior 
rays being subequal. Pectorals short and rounded; the base under the second dorsal spine. 
The pelvic bone terminating in a short and broad spine, truncated at its tip. ‘The spine is 
hollowed behind, and covered in front and at the tip with irregularly pointed tubercles ; the 
exposed portion is 0°4 long. Immediately behind, and contiguous to this spine, arises what 
is considered by some writers as the representative of the ventral fin. It is low, and extends 
to the vent, containing seven short bifid spinous rays. At the base of each ray, on each side, 
is a short horizontal spine. The anal fin arises underneath the seventh ray of the second 
dorsal, which it resembles in shape and size; its longest ray is 1*9 in height, and the fin is 
coterminal with the dorsal. The tail is oblong, narrow in the middle, enlarged at the base 
of the rays. The caudal fin wide, with a double and broad emargination; the middle rays 
are distant from each other. 
Color. Blackish or dull brown above; lighter on the side. Pupils black ; irides greenish. 
Length, 12°5; Depth 5:3, 
Fin rays, D. 221.28; P14; V. 7; A. 26; °C. 12. 
In the year 1820, a specimen was communicated to me from the harbor of New-York. 
I made a drawing and description of it at the time, but the latter is now mislaid. I then 
supposed it to be the maculatus of Bloch; but if the latter be, as I now suspect, the capriscus 
of recent writers, it cannot be referred to that species. A memorandum on the drawing 
above alluded to, has the following: “Irides green. D. 3.25; P.12; A. 24; GC. 12k 
It is a rare species, and probably that figured by Parra (p. 17, pl. 10), under the name of 
Sobaco. 
