702 



ICHTHYOLOGY. 



GENUS CXXX. POMATOMUS. 



Gill-lid notched at its upper posterior margin, and co- 

 vered with scales like those on the back; anal fin adipose. 



The P. skib of La Cepede is the only known species. 

 It inhabits the bays and mouths of rivers in Carolina, 

 and is there called skibjack. It performs its motions 

 in a remarkably rapid manner, darting suddenly to a 

 considerable distance. Its flesh is reckoned good. It 

 was observed by Bosc during his residence in the Uni- 

 ted States. 



GENUS CXXXI. LEIOSTOMUS. 



Jaws without teeth, and entirely covered with the 

 lips ; the mouth under the snout. 



Bosc is the discoverer of L. -xanthurus, the only 

 known species, termed in Carolina yetloiv-tail. La Ce- 

 pede formed the genus from huts, Icevis, and a-rt/ux, os. 

 It differs from the perches in the absence of a process 

 to the gill-lid, and in wanting teeth. 



GENUS CXXXII. CENTROLOPHUS. 



A longitudinal crest, and row of distant spines, in part 

 concealed in the skin, above the nape ; one dorsal fin. 



This genus was instituted by La Cepede to include 

 a fish sent him from Fechamp by M. Noel of Rouen. 

 It was called by the fishermen Le Negre, and hence 

 he has termed the species C. niger. It is of a black 

 colour. The eyes are large, and in front of the dorsal 

 fin there are three spines placed vertically, or pointing- 

 forwards. 



GENUS CXXXIII. EQUES. 



Two dorsal fins ; the rays of the first ending in long 

 filaments ; teeth numerous, rigid, and fixed. 



The E. Americanus is the only known species of the 

 genus, and has hitherto been found only in the seas of 

 the new continent. It is the Chaetocion lanceolatus of 

 Gmelin. In point of brilliancy, and variety, and dispo- 

 sition of colours, this fish has few rivals. The head 

 is small and compressed ; the snout rounded. The ge- 

 nus was formed by Blocli. 



GENUS CXXXIV. LEIOGNATHUS. 



Jaws without teeth ; a strong curved spine on both 

 sides of each of the soft rays of the dorsal fin ; a long 

 flattened scaly appendage near each ventral fin ; gill- 

 lid carved, and destitute of small scales. 



This genus (from >mtg, loevis, and ywefto;, maxilla) con- 

 tains only one species, viz. L. argentaus, a native of Tran- 

 quebar. It was first described by Bloch under the ti- 

 tle Scomber edentulus, but it differs from the mack- 

 rel in being destitute of teeth. The head, body, and 

 tail are also compressed, and the opening of the mouth 

 is very small. Its flesh is fat and agreeable to the 

 taste ; and being found at all seasons, is of great use 

 to the inhabitants of those shores which it frequents. 



GENUS CXXXV. CH^TODON. 



One dorsal fin ; gill-lid destitute of processes ; teeth 

 small, flexible, and moveable ; opening of the mouth 

 small. 



This genus has obtained its present name from %eii- 

 TH, seta, and o3, dens. La Cepede has enumerated 

 forty-two species. They chiefly inhabit tropical seas. 

 Their flesh is excellent food, and they are much sought 

 after by sailors. They are remarkable for their form 

 and the brilliancy and variety of their colours. The 

 limits by which the different species are separated are 

 ill defined, so that much confusion prevails in their no- 

 menclature. They all inhabit the seas of tropical coun- 

 tries, and were unknown or disregarded by the an- 

 cients. The skeletons of some species have been found 

 along with other ruins of the animal kingdom, in the 

 strata at Mount Bolca. La Cepede particularly men- 

 tions the remains of the Chsetodon vespertilio and teira. 



The Ch. marginatus appears to prefer the mouths of Classifica- 

 rivers, is very common at the Antilles, and its flesh is ti ," of 

 good. The flesh of the Ch. macrolepidotus, a native of >_'' es ]_> 

 the East Indies, is said, in point of delicacy, to resem- 

 ble the sole. But the most extraordinary species is 

 the Ch. rostratus, a native of the fresh waters of India. 

 Dr Shaw, after informing us that its prey consists of 

 the smaller kinds of insects, says, " When it observes 

 one of these, either hovering over the water, or seated 

 on some aquatic plant, it shoots against it from its tu- 

 bular snout a drop of water, with so sure an aim as ge- 

 nerally to lay it dead, or at least stupified on the sur- 

 face. In shooting at a sitting insect, it is commonly 

 observed to approach within the distance of from six 

 to four feet before it explodes the water. When kept 

 in a state of confinement in a large vessel of water, it is 

 said to afford high entertainment by its dexterity in 

 this exercise ; since, if a fly, or other insect, be fasten- 

 ed to the edge of the vessel, the fish immediately per- 

 ceives it, and continues to shoot at it with such admi- 

 rable skill as very rarely to miss the mark." 



GENUS CXXXVI. ACANTHINION. 



One dorsal fin ; teeth small, flexible, and moveable : 

 two or more naked spines in front of the dorsal fins. 



The three species, of which this genus consists, were 

 formerly included in the genus Chaetodon ; but the 

 spines, placed behind the head, form a sufficient mark 

 of distinction, and is expressed in the name of the ge- 

 nus from jtxC, spina, and inov, occiput. The first 

 species, A. rhomboides, is a native of the American 

 seas, as is also the A. glaucus. The flesh of the last 

 species is white and nourishing, and sought after as 

 food. It sometimes grows to the length of 18 inches. 

 The third species inhabits the rocky shores of Arabia, 

 where it was observed by Forskael. It has something 

 of the habit of a flounder, and seldom exceeds a foot in 

 length. 



GENUS CXXXVII. CH^ETODIPTERUS. 



Body and tail compressed ; two dorsal fins ; teeth 

 small, flexible and moveable; gill-lid destitute of pro- 

 cesses and spines. 



La Cepede instituted this genus for the reception of 

 C. Plumierii. This species is nearly as deep as it is 

 long, and its sides are lozenge shaped. The general 

 colour is green, mixed with yellow, crossed by six nar- 

 row bands of deep green. It was observed in the West 

 Indies by Plumier ; and prefers a stony bottom. 



GENUS CXXXVIII. POMACENTKUS. 



One dorsal fin ; gill-lid furnished with a process, 

 but destitute of long spines ; teeth small, flexible and 

 moveable. 



This genus contains seven species. They inhabit the 

 seas of warmer countries, and in general exhibit a fine 

 display of colours. One species has indeed obtained 

 the name of Peacock, (P. pavo,) from the variety and 

 lustre of its colours. It is a native of the Indian seas, 

 and was first described by Bloch. 



GENUS CXXXIX. POMADYSIS. 



Two dorsal fins ; teeth small, flexible and moveable ; 

 gill-lid furnished with a process. 



Forskael discovered, in the Arabian sea, the only 

 species of the genus termed P. argenteus, with whose 

 habits we are still unacquainted. 



GENUS CXL. POMACANTHUS. 



One dorsal fin ; teeth small, flexible, and moveable ; 

 gill lid furnished with long spines, but no process. 



The seven species included under this head, were 

 formerly arranged in the genus Chastodon. The Pe- 

 canescens, a native of Arabia, and first described by 



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