28 On a new species of the genus Cephalopterus. 



The motory organs grow- 

 ing out of them are quills. 

 These quills are rigid and 

 jointless. 



They are hollow at one end 

 and are furnished with a ra- 

 phis. 



They are exposed to the at- 

 mosphere. 



The motory organs growing 

 out of them are cartilages. 

 Those cartilages are flexible 

 and articulated. 



They are solid throughout 

 and furnished with muscles. 



They are covered by the 

 common integuments. 



In one of these wings, or pectoral fins, the number of joints 

 amounted to six hundred and twenty-three; from which some 

 judgment may be formed of the vast variety of motions these 

 organs are capable of performing, and how admirably they 

 are adapted to connect strength with speed. 



We can hence understand the reason, why they fly swiftly 

 and powerfully through the water ; why they can raise a spray 

 or foam around them when they flap their wings on the sur- 

 face ; and why they are able, huge as they are, to gambol with 

 agility, and even to leap entirely out of water, for a consider- 

 able distance. 



There were two openings on the upper side, as is usual in 

 fishes of this genus ; conjectured to be ears, or appendages to 

 the organ of hearing. 



It was remarked that this creature and others of the species 

 are attended by small fishes, as sharks are by their pilots, due- 

 tores or satellites. One of them was seen to enter the mouth 

 and pass out familiarly and easily through the ears and gill- 

 openings. But, all efforts to catch them were ineffectual. It 

 is hoped the next expedition will be successful. 



The individual brought here this time was a female. There 

 was a uterus large and distinct. The species is viviparous, 

 for another female that was struggling after havingbeen wound- 

 ed, brought forth in her agony, a living young one, as Capt. 

 Potter related ; and Mr. Patchen, while he showed me the ori- 

 fices through which sucking is probably performed, declared 



