1818.] THREE NEW GENERA OF FISHES. 419 



Sarchirus Fittatus. PI. 17. fig. 2. 



Back olivaceous brown, and with three longitudinal 

 furrows, a black lateral band from the mouth to the end 

 of the tail, belly white, with a lateral row of black dots 

 on each side: jaws obtuse, longer than the head: anal and 

 dorsal fins ovate acute with two transverse black hands; 

 tail acuminate. 



Obs. This sing\ilar fish inhabits the lower parts of the 

 river Oiiio, where I saw it in June; its vulgar names are 

 Gar-fish and Ribbon-fish, the former of which is common 

 to all the species of the genus Lepisosteus. Its length 

 varies from six to twelve inches. It is not used as food, 

 probably through the same prejudice that militates against 

 Gar-fish. The abdominal fins are narrow, almost linear, 

 acute, and with two transverse black bands, they are si- 

 tuated half way between the pectoral and anal fins: this 

 last has ten rays, and the dorsal fin only nine. Ail the 

 rays of the fins are soft. No appearance of a lateral line. 



Genus EXOGLOSSUM. 

 Abdominal. Natural Family of Cyprinides. 



Body elongated, slightly compressed, covered with 

 small scales, vent nearer to the tail. Head scaleless, flat- 

 tened above, mouth terminal, toothless, lower jaw shorter, 

 with three or Jive lobes^ the middle one larger^ simulating 

 a tongue^ lips very small. Abdominal fins with nine rays, 

 dorsal fin opposed to them. 



Obs- Mr. Lesueur has described, in the Journal of 

 this Academy, a new fish under the name of Cyprinus 

 maxillinguay which he considered as an anomalous spe- 



