128 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



Length, 8-0. Height, 3-5. Thickness, 0-75. 



Fin rays, D. 7.1.23; P. 1.18; V. 1.3; A. 1.18; C. 16 ^. 



This fish, so remarkable for its bizarre figure and lustrous tints, is more common on our 

 coast than any of the four preceding species. A native of the tropical seas, its geographical 

 range is so great as almost to entitle it to be considered a cosmopolite. It is found on both 

 sides of the Atlantic, and even in the Pacific on the coast of Peru. New- York is probably 

 the limit of its northern range on this side of the Atlantic. It is esteemed for food, and 

 appears in our waters in July and August. It is found occasionally one foot long. 



GENUS SERIOLA. Cuvier and Valenciennes. 



Lateral lines with scales, not larger than on the rest of the body. First dorsal fin with a 

 continuous membrane. No finlets. 



THE BANDED SERIOLE. 



Seriola zonata. 



PLATE IX. FIG. 26. 



Hcomher amalus, Banded Mackerel. Mitch. Lit. and Phil. p. 427, pi. 4, fig. 3. 

 La Seriole i ceintures, S. zonata. Cnv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. Vol. 9, p. 213. 



Characteristics. Bluish green. Six broad vertical brownish bands over the body and tail. 

 Length seven to ten inches. 



Description. Body fusiform, subcompressed. Back slightly carinate. Scales small, gra- 

 nular, with concentric striae. Lateral line curved, not concurrent with the back, and forming 

 a distinct ridge on each side of the tail. Nostrils double, vertically oval, adjacent, and nearly 

 equidistant between the snout and the eyes. Numerous incurved card-like teeth in both 

 jaws ; in the upper jaw, a small edentate space in front. A longitudinal band of fine asperities 

 on the tongue ; an arrow-shaped patch of fine bristly teeth on the vomer, and similar teeth 

 on the palatines and pharyngeals. 



The first dorsal fin spinous, subtriangular, lower than the second, and situated above the 

 ventrals ; the fourth ray longest, the last two scarcely appearing above the skin. The second 

 dorsal slightly excavated on its upper margin, with its third and fourth rays highest. Pecto- 

 rals short and broad, of nineteen rays. Ventrals long, large and stout, the tip extending 

 to the vent; its posterior margin connected to the body by a delicate membrane. Anal 

 fin commences under the eighteenth ray of the second dorsal, and is coterminal with that 

 fin ; just anterior to the anal are two small distant spines, scarcely appearing above the skin. 

 Caudal deeply forked. Stomach a simple sac, with numerous casca. Air-bladder large and 

 simple. 



