122 NEW- YORK FAUNA. 



these the rays rapidly diminish, and become subequal for the remainder of the fin. The 

 pectorals are placed slightly before the ventrals, are long, falcate, and of twenty rays ; the 

 first has a short, closely applied subspinous ray ; its longest ray extends to the fourth of the 

 second dorsal fin. Ventrals in a deep cavity anterior to the commencement of the first dorsal 

 fin, with a posterior attaching membrane. Vent a narrow slit. Anterior to the anal fin, are 

 two long spines concealed in a furrow, the posterior with a membrane. The first three or 

 four anal rays are long ; the remainder short, subequal, with the bases of the anterior rays 

 enveloped in a membranous sheath : the four first simple ; the first short, adpressed ; the 

 second, third and fourth longest, subequal. Caudal fin deeply furcate, with two carinas or 

 ridges on each side, embracing the spinous lateral plates of the tail ; its lobes scaly. 



Color. Deep golden green and blue above, which becomes more lustrous on the gill-covers. 

 Irides golden, mottled with brown. Sides lustrous yellow, with green reflections. A small 

 black spot on the edge of the opercles, which are tinged with orange ; this spot is occasionally 

 wanting. Dorsals brown, tinged with yellow, and translucent at their bases. Caudal fin 

 olive-brown at the base, yellow in the middle, and tipped with blackish brown. Pectorals 

 faint yellow. Ventrals and anal fin golden yellow. . 



Length, 8-5. Depth, 2. 



Fin rays, D. 8.1.24; P. 20; V. 1.5; A, 2.1.20; C. 19 J. 



This species may readily be distinguished from the preceding, by its more elongated form. 

 It is a very voracious animal ; for in the stomach of one, I found a fish more than half of its 

 own size. It occurs here in great abundance in September and October, and is much 

 esteemed. It is called Yellow Mackerel. 



THE SPOTTED CARANX. 



Caranx punctatus. 



PLATE LXXIII. FIG. 233. 



The Hippos Mackerel. MiTCH. Lit. and Phil. Soo. N. Y. pi. 5, fig. 5. 



Scomber hippos. Id. Am, Monthly Magazine, Vol. 2, p. 246. 



ie Caranx ponctue, Caranx punctcUus. Cuv. ct Val. Hist, des Poiss. Vol. 9, p. 38. 



Characteristics. Cylindrical, with a single finlet behind the dorsal and anal fins. Anterior 

 portion of the lateral line punctate. Length 6-8 inches. 



Description. Body cylindrical, tapering. Scales large and deciduous on the back, small 

 and adherent on the head and neck. Teeth so minute as only to be distinguished by the 

 touch. Lateral line curved as in the preceding, with its posterior portion armed with about 

 forty wide and contiguous plates, with their points directed backwards ; the points becoming 

 more distinct towards the tail. Eyes large and silvery. 



The first dorsal fin triangular, and of eight rays ; at a short interval beyond is the second 

 dorsal, of one spinous and thirty-one flexible rays. A finlet or spurious fin between this fin 



