188 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Description by the late Dr. Garden 



color, than the upper or back part, and seems to 

 swell out somewhat on each side, from the de- 

 pression of the lateral lines; but towards the 

 lower or under part is again contracted, or sharp- 

 ened into the third part, or carina. This carina, 

 or keel, is very distinguishable from the other 

 two divisions, by its thinness, its apparent lax- 

 ness, and by the reticulated skin of a more grey 

 or light color, with which it is covered. When 

 the animal swims gently in pretty deep water, 

 the rhomboidal reticulations of the skin of this 

 earina, are very discernible ; but when the water 

 is shallow, or the depth of the carina is contract- 

 ed, these reticulations appear like many irregular 

 longitudinal plicae, or folds. The carina begins 

 about six or seven inches below the base of the 

 head, and gradually widening, or deepening, as 

 it goes along, reaches down to the tail where it 

 is thinnest. It seems to be of a strong muscular 

 nature. Where it first takes its rise from the 

 body of the fish, it seems to be about one inch 

 or one inch and a half thick, and is gradually 

 sharpened to a thin edge, where the fourth aivd 

 last part is situated ; viz. a long, deep, soft, wavy 

 fin, which takes its rise about three or four inches 

 at most below the head, and runs down along 

 the sharp edge of the carina to the extremity of 

 the tail. When it first rises it is not deep, but 

 gradually deepens or widens as it approaches the 

 tail. It is of a very pliable, soft consistence, 

 and seems rather longer than the body. The 



