63 



Xa-FISTULARIIDJE. 



FISTULAEIA, Linn. 

 F. tahaccaria. 



Tobacco Trumpet Fish, Unarmed Trumpet 



This curious fish has an elongate, cyhndrical, shghtly 

 rough body. The head is produced into a long depressed 

 tube of horny consistence, terminating in a mouth of mod- 

 erate width, and is contained three times in the total length, 

 (exclusive of caudal filament.) The very prominent lower 

 jaw terminates in a fleshy knot ; the upper lip is very distinct, 

 and is separated from the intermaxillary by a deep groove. 

 Jaws and pahitine bones are armed with small teeth. The 

 elongate, ovate eye is much longer than high, and is protected 

 by prominent angles of the frontal bones. The lateral line 

 commences just above the posterior portion of the opercle, is 

 curved towards the medium line of the back, running along 

 the whole length of the dorsal shield, and then bends down- 

 wards, proceeding along the middle of the lateral band. On 

 the posterior half of the body it becomes covered with a 

 series of elevated carinated plates. The caudal fin is deeply 

 forked ; its two middle rays are produced into an exceedingly 

 long filament, like a whip-lash, giving the fish a very odd ap- 

 pearance. The upper parts are reddish brown, variegated 

 with numerous blue spots, and a narrow bluish longitudinal 

 band along the sides. Abdomen light colored. Length of 

 captured specimens, 5 inches. 



Fin-rays ;— D. 16 ; P. 15 ; V. 6 ; A. 16 ; C. 16,1 



Fistularia fahaccaria, L. Mus. Ad. Fried. I, p. 515 ; Bloch, 

 VIII, p. 126, tab. 387, fig. 1. 



A small specimen of this odd looking fish was obtained in 

 the inlet between Assateague and V/allops Island. Its motion 

 in the water was rather awkward and slow, 



Acad. Coll, 



