254 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 



SH0RT-X0SI:D skipper. Scomberesox brevirostris, Peters. 

 ? SAURY ; SKIPPER ; BILL-FISH. Scomberesox saurus, ( Wulb.) Fleming. 



SILVER GAR ; BILL-FISH. Tylosurus marinus, (Bl. and Schn.) J. and G. 

 ? NEEDLE-FISH. Tylosurus Mans, (C. and V.) J. and G. 



SUB-CLASS PHYSOSTOMI. SOFT-RAYED FISHES. 



ORDER APODES. EELS. 



An order of fishes well known from its representative, the common 

 Eel. The maxillary bones and gilhcovers are frequently wanting, as are 

 in all cases the ventral fins. The vertebne are unusually numerous. 

 No spines in the dorsal and anal fins, which are not distinct from the 

 tail. The body is serpentine and usually entirely without scales. 



There has been much doubt relative to the manner in which eels 

 spawn, but it has at length been proved that the mode is not unlike that 

 of fishes. The male is smaller than the female. 



ANGUILLIDiE. 



? CONGER EEL. Conger niger, (Risso) J. and G. 

 CO:»IMON EEL. Anguilla rostrata, (Le Sueur) DeKay. 

 GOLDEN SNAKE-FISH. Ophichthys chrysops, Poey. 



ORDER HAPLO^IL HAPLOMOUS FISHES. 



In the fishes of this order the mouth and gill-covers are normal, and 

 the former is furnished with teeth. The ventral fins are present (except 

 in a few instances), and are abdominal in position. The vertebra? are 

 normal. The scales of the head and body are eycloid. 



A large group of fishes of varying size, of which the family of Pikes 

 are kell known. The majority inhabit fresh waters. Tlie Cyprinodonts 

 swarm in every brook. 



