. FISHES. 259 



The fins on the upper surface of the body are peculiarly 

 arranged. The first, (which I dare not call a dorsal,) is 

 composed of one stout spinous ray, with a membrane 

 attached, and is placed in front of the summit of the 

 head the second is similarly formed, and situated 

 immediately behind the head the third occupies the 

 posterior two-thirds of the back, and is composed of 

 twelve branched rays. Rays of the anal fin 7- Caudal 9. 



The pectoral fins bear a very close resemblance to 

 the anterior extremities of a frog or lizard, and the ten 

 distinct rays, at the termination of each, complete the 

 comparison by their resemblance to toes. A long 

 membranous air-tube, communicating with the gills, 

 passes beneath the integuments of this fin, and opens 

 as a circular orifice at its joint, or elbow. 



The solitary example of this species, which we ob- 

 tained from the shores of Oahu, Sandwich Islands,* 

 continued alive for many hours after it had been re- 

 moved from the water. During this time its abdomen 

 and throat remained distended to a great size; but 

 previous to death, both air and water were evacuated 

 from the mouth, and the body collapsed. Dissection 

 proved, that the cavity of the stomach was the part thus 

 distended. This fish has no ribs, though it has a very 

 distinct sternum. Its swim-bladder is small and of 

 ovoid form. 



THE FILE-FISH OR LEATHER-JACKET. 



(Balistes, Sp.} 



Length of the fish one foot. Body elongated. Colour, 

 dark-plum, or puce, spread with numerous circular 

 white spots, arranged in a quincunx form. Scabrous 



* The native name for the fish is obu te tai, or the Sea-belly ^ex- 

 pressive of the power it has of inflating the abdomen to a large size. 



S 2 



