Remarks on the Natural History of Fishes. 345 
ena Bostoniensis” of Le Sueur. The latter, is the species unin- 
jured which when defaced, Dr. Smith called “ Raniceps blen- 
nioides,” it is evidently a new genus, which, from the appearance 
of concealed spines distributed over its head, I have called “ Cryp- 
tanthodes”—and given the specific name of “ maculatus” on ac- 
count of its mottled surface, arranging it in the family “ Buccoar 
Loricarar, mailed cheeks.” 
Our writer seems to have been ignorant of the fact, that the 
“ Anarrhichas lupus” — Cat fish,” was used as food among us. 
Many of our fishermen prefer it to any other species. I have 
eaten it at my own table, and should never wish a sweeter or 
More delicate meal than that afforded by a young cat fish. It 
is a little singular, that instead of Pennant’s plate of this species 
having been copied, which is quite good, and within the reach of 
all, Strack’s plate which is very incorrect, making the anal fin 
to appear as high as the dorsal, should have been preferred. 
Upon page 254, “ Labrus tautoga’’ should be “ L. America- 
nus ;” we read here that “the Boston market is but poorly sup- 
plied with them; whenever they are for sale, it seems to be the 
result of accident.’”” The two last years our market has been 
Slutted with them, throughout the season in which they are 
taken. 
Upon page 259, we have a description of the eunner, or marine 
Perch as it is often called; and it is surprising that after the 
author observes, “since the commencement of this little vol- 
ume, no one species has given us more trouble and perplexity in 
the classification than this ;’ to find it arranged in a wrong genus, 
With the sage remark, “ to all appearance the perch or cunner is 
the tautog in miniature; and if it were black it would be sup- 
Posed to be the young of that fish!” And this too, while the 
Preoperculum of the former is strongly denticulated throughout, 
and the edge of that of the latter is perfectly smooth ! 
Among the “ Labroides,” we also find the “ squetee” arranged 
asa“ Labrus,” instead of being placed in the family ‘“ Sctenoo- 
des” genus “ Otolithus.” 
Upon page 263, Dr. Smith probably refers to the “ Centro- 
Pristis nigricans,” when he speaks of the “ Perea varia.” 
The next eleven pages are occupied with descriptions of nine 
Species, neither of which is found in Massachusetts. We have 
Vol. xxxy1, No. 2.—April-July, 1839. 44 
