90 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



scales from the upper part of the branchial aperture, crosses over the nape, and meets one 

 from the opposite side, interrupting the general plan of the scales ; this band is bordered be- 

 hind with a row of orbicular abnormal scales. Lateral line concurrent with the back, and 

 runs through the tail somewhat above the medial line. Nostrils double ; the anterior circular ; 

 the posterior, obhque slits. Preopercle broadly rounded beneath. Opercle slightly emargi- 

 nate. Lower jaw shortest. Lips thick and fleshy. Within a fold of the lower lip, on each 

 side, there is a short tubercle, which is only apparent when the fold is separated. In front 

 of each jaw there are from six to eight incisors or cutting teeth, quadrilateral, somewhat 

 smaller towards their roots. Inside of these, above and beneath, are numerous rounded 

 flattened paved teeth, forming two or three series ; those in front, and which are on the outer 

 series on the sides, are smaller and more acutely conic than those behind (see figure). Tongue 

 large and smooth. Pharyngeals with numerous teeth. 



Dorsal fin compound, arising five inches from the end of the nose ; the first twelve are 

 stoutly spinous, flattened, with acute tips, and resembling sword-blades ; they are situated in 

 a deep fissure, and their flattened structure enables them to lie along side of each other, and 

 to be entirely concealed ; the first two are very short ; the second longer than the first ; the 

 fifth and sixth subequal, longest. The posterior portion of this fin rounded, of eleven or 

 twelve branched rays, all longer than the last spinous ray. The base of this portion of the 

 dorsal fin is covered with scales, forming on its anterior portion a sheath or furrow, which 

 becomes effaced behind. Pectoral fins very long and pointed, reaching to the third anal ray ; 

 the first and second short and simple. Ventral fin slout, of one spinous and five branched 

 rays. An accessory plate or scale on the upper and inner side of the base. The greater part 

 of the anal fin capable of being received and concealed in a furrow, and is composed of three 

 broad and stout spines and ten branched rays, with scales high up on the base. Caudal fin 

 forked, with its base covered by small scales. 



Vent, a simple fissure equidistant between the pectorals and caudal. Parietes of the abdo- 

 men lined with a black pigment. Gall-bladder cylindrical, tubular, very long. Intestines 

 with four large convolutions, and smaller ones near its termination. Stomach large, with six 

 ca^cal appendages. Several which I examined were found filled with the soft clam, Mya 

 arenaria. Spleen fusiform, and of dark chocolate-brown color. Liver moderate ; the right 

 lobe smallest. Air-bladder large, closely attached to the upper part of the abdominal cavity, 

 with very thick parietes, and a foramen in its posterior portion, communicating by a tubular 

 passage with the intestine at or near the vent. Branchial rays five. 



Color. Dull silvery on the sides, with brassy tints on the back, and with five transverse 

 slight arcuated dark bands over the body and tail, uniting with similar bands on the other side ; 

 they become fainter towards and on the tail, hides deep umber brown ; pupil black, sur- 

 rounded by a narrow brilliant golden ring. The dorsal and anal fins, upper part of the 

 pectorals, and base of the ventrals, deep brown or black ; an obscure black spot behind the 

 shoulders, which becomes obsolete in larger fish. Upper part of the head and forehead black, 

 with greenish and golden lustrous tints. Smutty patches, of irregular forms, under the chin. 



