T9 



in that of the Kuout. Scales rounded, ciliated. Lateral line 

 concurrent with the back, and near it. Snout produced, 

 prominent and blunt. Opercle with two strong flat spines ; 

 preopercle serrated behind. A single cirrus on the point ot 

 the lower jaw, with four pores or fossa?. Teeth in the upper 

 jaw long, acute, distant ; in the lower short, even and crowded. 

 First dorsal fin triangular, with the third spine very elongate; 

 in some individuals equal to the length of the head, in others 

 one-third of the total length. The second dorsal fin is sepa- 

 rated from the first by a brief interval ; its first ray is short 

 and spinous, the remainder subequal. Pectoral fins broad 

 and pointed, extending to the second dorsal fin, with a spin- 

 ous triangular plate, covered by scales. Ventrals broad and 

 rounded. Aual fin short, commencing under the eighth ray 

 of the second dortal fin. Caudal fin excavated above, 

 rounded beneath ; its upper tip pointed. Back and sides 

 dark steel-grey, and, in certain lights, lustrous silvery and 

 reddish. Abdomen bluish-white. In its dying struggles the 

 whole fish displays frequent changes of beautiful colors. An 

 oblique dark band from the nape to the side of the body, 

 directed backwards, three oblique dark bands from the nape 

 to the side of the body, directed backwards; three oblique 

 dark bands from the back to the side, directed forwards ; a 

 dark longitudinal band along the middle of the tail. Caudal 

 and pectorals olive brown. Ventrals and anal yellowish. 

 Length, 12 inches. 



Fin-rays :— D. 10, 1, 25 ; P. 16 ; V. 1, 5 ; A. 1, 8 ; C. 17 



Scicena nebulosa, Mitch. Trans. Lit. <fe Phil, Soc. New York, 

 I, 1815, p. 408, pi. 3, fig. 5. 



Umhrina alhurnus, Cuv. & Val. V. p. 180 ; DeKay, New 

 York Fauna., Fish. p. 78, pi. 7, fig. 20 ; Baird, Ninth Smiths. 

 Rep., p. 331. 



Specimens of this fish are occasionally met with along the 

 coast of Worcester county, and in the southern part of Ches- 

 apeake Biiy. (Wallops Island.) 



Acad. Coll. 



