f8l8,) OF THREE SPECIES OF FISH. 411 



of the mouth to its angle, or point of connection with the 

 lower jaw. 



The specimen now on the table was a native of Lake 

 Huron, and brought in fine preservation from Michilli- 

 inackinac. Notwithstanding the removal of the intestines, 

 he weighed thirty-two pounds and ten ounces. Is report- 

 ed to grow as heavy as one hundred and twenty pounds. 

 Is remarkably fat, rich and savoury. 



His length is fifty-four inches; depth almost nine; and 

 girth nearly twenty-four. 



Figure very robust and stout. Head large. Back 

 broad. Tail thick. Indeed, the form of the body is mas- 

 '.sy and solid. 



Skin of the head smooth and scaleless; of the ^bdy, 

 covered with small and moderately adhering scales. 



Jaws very strong. Mouth ample and capacious. The 

 gape slanting downwards; yet giving the lower jaw the 

 appearance of being larger and stouter than the upper. 



Teeth in the lower jaw, about sixteen on each side, 

 situated in a single row. Teeth of the upper jaw in two 

 rows, of which the outer row is more numerous than in 

 the lower jaw, and the teeth somewhat smaller. These 

 are continued externally, or on the outside of the mouth, 

 quite to angle of the jaws. Teeth of the inner rows stand 

 in formidable array. 



All the teeth are distinct, and somewhat curved, 

 or hooked, to hold firmly any thing that gets into the 

 mouth. They are remarkable for having a reddish or pur- 

 plish tinge, in their internal parts, resembling crystals of 

 amethystine or rosy qiiartz; while their outsides and tips 

 are colourless or hyaline. In some of them, the red or 

 purple is faint. 



