SCOMBRID^. 



219 



The color of this fish is a light bluish gray, with deeper tints on the 

 back, and greenish reflections on the sides, becoming silvery on the 

 belly. The pectorals, dorsal and caudal fins greenish brown, the ven- 

 trals and anal bluish white. 



The body is oblong, cylindrical, compressed and slender, the facial 

 outline gently sloping, the scales, which cover the whole body, the head, 

 gill-covers, and much of the fins are of moderate size and oblong 

 oval form. 



The lower jaw is longest, both maxillaries are well armed with sharp 

 lancet-formed teeth ; the palatines, vomer and base of tongue banded 

 with card-like patches of teeth. The operculum terminates in two 

 indistinct flat points. 



The first dorsal fin is composed of seven weak spinous rays, the 

 second of one short and twenty-five longer flexible rays. The pecto- 

 rals have seventeen soft, the ventrals one spine and five soft, the anals 

 one spine and twenty-seven soft, and the caudal nineteen flexible 

 rays. 



Of the same family with the above are the well-known Spring Mack- 

 erel, Scomber Vernalis, of Mitchil, and Fall Mackerel, Scomber Grex^ 

 of the same author, as also the Spanish Mackerel, Scomber Colias, all 

 of which species are excellent eating, and give good sport in the bays 

 and inlets. They are, however, so common that they are rarely pur- 

 sued for the sport, or taken except as an article of food and commerce. 

 I therefore pass them without farther notice than this mere cursory 

 mention 



