FAMILY BALISTID/E MONOCANTHUS. 335 



THE LONG-FINNED FILEFISII. 



MONOCANTIIUS BROCCUS. 



PLATE I.VI. FIG. 183. 



Snlisles tommlosus? Block, p. 373 ; Bonnaterke. Ency. Method. Vol. 18, pi. 10, fig. 32? 

 Tu!-moulhed Fik-fish, Halisics l/roccus. MiTCHiLL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. Vol. 1, p> "iGT. 



Characteristics. Uniform brown. Dorsal fin with an equal convex margin. Mouth promi- 

 nent, projecting. Length eight inciies. 



Description. Body siibovate, and covered witli asperities, which, under the lens, appe.ir to 

 be composed of small scales, each with a prickle directed backward.s. No lines nor spots on 

 the body. Back regularly convex, until a short distance before the eyes ; thence sloping, 

 with a slight concave curve to the jaws. Abdominal outline angular, caused by the pro.mi- 

 nence of the ventral fin. Eyes large, under the dorsal spine, and shi;luiv in advance of it, 

 with a nictitating membrane. Branchial fissure small, oblique, subhuiatc, and between the 

 eyes and pectoral fins. Six to eight sharp incisorial teeth in the upper and lower jaws. 



The first dorsal represented by a sharp recurved spine an inch long; along its length, on 

 each side, a row of from six to eight sliarp while teeth directed downward, and resembling 

 white enamel. The second dorsal high, rounded equally on its margin ; the anterior rays 

 highest, ending near the caudal, and coterminal with the anal. Pectorals subacute, rounded. 

 The anal long and low, not as high as the dorsal. The place of the ventral is sujiphcJ livaii 

 elongation of the pelvis. It presents externally a sharp rough spine, with three or foiu- small 

 white teeth on each side, similar to what we have noted on the dorsal spine. A loose rough- 

 ened membrane, which is a prolongation of the skin, with prickles on its edge, extends from 

 the pelvic spine to the vent. Caudal long and rounded, with its rays very ramose. Along 

 the base of the dorsal and anal fins, a series of foramina arc noticed when held up again.sllhe 

 liglit. 



Color. A uniform slate-brown, without spots or stripes. Iridcs yellowish white ; pupils 

 black. 



Length, 8"0. Greatest depth, 3'0. 



Fin rays, D. 1..32; P. 13; V. ; A. 32; C. 13. 



This small species is not uncommon in the harbor of New-York, being frequently found in 

 the nets set for other fishes. Our fishermen apply to it the whiinsical name of Fool-Jis/i, in 

 allusion to what they consider its absurd mode of swimming with a wriggling motion, ils body 

 being sunk, and its mouth just on a level with llic water. The s])eciiiu'n which has lurnished 

 the above description was recent. I refer to the description of Bonnalorre with great doubt ; 

 the general shape agrees tolerably well, but i saw no trace of a second dorsal spine ; and if 

 the species be indeed identical, the subvillous appearance near the lad is hardly rendered by 



