96 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



Nostrils double, approximated; the posterior transversely oval, with a prolonged furrow 

 towards the upper part of the orbit ; the anterior nostrils round. Eyes large. Mouth with 

 thick lips, protractile. 



Upper jaw with six large blunt teeth, some of which, particularly the exterior, are conic at 

 their summits, the others truncated ; behind these are numerous smaller conical teeth, and 

 on the sides of the jaw two series of flat-crowned molar teeth. Lower jaw with ten large front 

 teeth, similar in shape and situation with those described above. Rounded tubercles in the 

 pharynx, covered with numerous acute curved teeth. 



The dorsal fin commences above the base of the pectorals ; its spinous rays are lodged in 

 a sheath, which is partially extended along the posterior branched rays : the first ray is very 

 short, with a concealed recumbent spine at its base, directed forward ; the second and third 

 rays longest, with long membranous threads attached to them ; these filaments are scarcely 

 ever seen in the specimens which are brought to market, being easily destroyed from their 

 excessive fragility ; even in those drawn out of water, they are often absent. The first rays 

 of the soft portion are simple, feebly spinous (in the figure this is not given) ; the Temainder 

 branched : this portion is higher than the posterior spinous rays. Pectorals pointed, very 

 long, reaching to the eleventh spinous ray of the dorsal. Ventral fins robust, with a long 

 pointed triangular accessory scale beneath, not reaching to the vent. The vent is a long, nar- 

 row longitudinal slit. Anal fin in a furrow, with three spinous and eleven branched rays. 

 Caudal fin deeply lunated, rather than forked. 



Color. Deep brownish black on the top of the head, passing into light brown towards the 

 snout. Nape with brilliant green and golden reflections, which are also distributed over the 

 sides. Irides silvery, with a bluish tint often mottled with brown. A black spot at the upper, 

 angle of the opercle, crossing the lateral line ; another black spot just above the base of the 

 pectoral fin. Dorsal, anal and caudal deep brown. Ventrals bluish. Pectorals light yel- 

 lowish. 



Length, 12-0. Depth, 4-5. 



Fin rays, D. 1.12.12; P. 16; V. 1.5; A. 3.11 ; C. 17 f. 



This well known and beautiful species is found in our waters in great abundance. They 

 are most numerous in the summer season, but a few appear to remain during the whole year. 

 It is a fish of excellent flavor, and were it not so abundant, would be more highly prized. It 

 afibrds much sport to fishing parties, who go outside of the harbor in steam vessels and take 

 them in great numbers. The name of Porgee has been stated to be of Indian origin, but I 

 do not know upon what authority. The name of Pogge or Porgy, is applied in some dis- 

 tricts of England to a species of Aspidophorus, which may have been borrowed by our 

 ancestors. 



The range of this fish southward extends to Charleston, and probably still farther south. 

 Northwardly it is found as far as the coast of Massachusetts, south of Cape Cod. About the 

 year 1833, we learn from Dr. Storer, that an attempt was made to introduce them into the 



