328 VERTEBRATES I FISHES. 



of the Atlantic coast of the United States, is from six to 

 twelve inches long, bluish black, dorsal fin mottled with 

 white, and the caudal, when perfect, divided into three 

 lobes. Its flesh is highly prized for food. It is abundant 

 in the markets from May to July. 



The Genus Pomotis Breams is characterized by an 

 oval, much-compressed body, and a membranous pro- 

 longation at the angle of the operculum. There are sev- 

 eral species, all of which inhabit fresh water, and all are 

 American. They make circular cavities in the sand for 

 nests, often two feet in diameter, and six inches deep, 

 where they lay their eggs and courageously defend them. 

 The Common Pond-fish, Bream, or Pumpkin-seed, P. 

 Fig. i 93 . vulgaris, authors, is from five to eight 



inches long, greenish olive, and with 

 numerous reddish spots scattered over 

 the body, and with the appendix of 

 the operculum black, bordered behind 



Bream, P. vulgarh, Cuv. w^ft scarlet. 



The Genus Uranoscopus Star-gazers has the eyes 

 so placed that they appear constantly looking at the 

 Fig. i 94 . heavens, the mouth cleft vertically, a 



stout spine at each shoulder, and in 

 the mouth and before the tongue a 

 long filament which can be protrud- 

 r, u. anotios, ed at will, and which serves, it is said, 



Cuv. &Val. u o , , ., . 



to attract small fish, while its owner 

 remains concealed in the mud. Star-gazers inhabit the 

 Atlantic and Mediterranean. One species, U. anoplos, 

 Cuv. & Val., two inches or more in length, is found on the 

 southeastern coast of the United States. 



TRIGLIM, OR MAILED CHEEK FAMILY. This Family 

 embraces spine-rayed fishes, which have the head vari- 

 ously mailed. About thirty genera have been described. 



The Genus Trigla Gurnards is characterized by 



