FAMILY GOBID.E — CHASMODES. 151 



noticed abnormal deviations in the lateral line so frequently, that 1 am inclined to suspect it in 

 the foregoing description. 



This species was found among sea-weed at Nahant in Massachusetts bay, and will very 

 probably be discovered on our coast. 



{EXTRA-LmiTAL.) 



P. carolinus. (Cuv. et Val. Vol. 11, p. 277.) C4reenish, with four or five irregular spots along the 

 back. Teeth If , with stout canines. D. 12.18; A. 18. Length four inches. Coast of South- 

 Carolina. 



GENUS CHASMODES. Cuvler. 



The branchial aperture open onhj above the pectoral fin. Mouth deeply cleft, with teeth only 

 on the anterior part of the jaivs ; these are firm, regular, and in a single roiv. 



Obs. This small group comprises at present but three species, all from the coast of the 

 United States. 



THE SIX-BANDED CHASMODES. 



ChaSHODES EOSat'IANUS. 



PL.A.TE XXIV. FIG. 73. — (CABINET OF TUE LYCEU.M.) 



Blennius plwhs. MiTCHiLL, Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y. Vol. I, p. 374. 



Blennms htntz ' Lesueiir, Journ. Acad. Sc. Vol. "1, p. 363. 



Lc Chasmodes bosquien, C. boKtiutaima. Cdv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. Vol. II, p. 295, pi. 3'27. 



Characteristics. Dorsal united with the caudal. A minute filament over the eye. Six vertical 

 bands. Length three inches. 



Description. Head thick ; its length to the total length as one to three and a half. Mouth 

 excessively cleft, and extending to the posterior margin of the orbits. Teeth excessively fine, 

 and crowded together like the teeth on a fine comb, on the anterior part of the jaws ; those 

 above are blunt-pointed, and about fifty in number ; those below are acute, recurved, and 

 about the same number : no canines. The branchial rays are six, and the aperture is reduced 

 to a small opening above the base of the pectorals. Lateral line indistinct, and obsolete 

 behind. 



The dorsal fin is equal throughout its whole length, and equals in height one-third of tiie 

 depth of the body ; it unites with the caudal upon one-quarter of the length of the latter fin. 

 The dorsal fin contains twenty-nine equally flexible rays ; about the seventeenth, traces of 

 articulation are perceptible. The anal distinct from the caudal fin, with nineteen rays ; it 

 commences about the middle of ihc body. Ventrals two-rayed, with a filamentous termina- 

 tion, and are about one-sixth of the total lenarlh. Caudal fin rounded. 



