FAMILY SCIENID^. 73 



GENUS CORVINA. Cuvier. 



Branchial rays seven. Teeth generally even, velvet-like on the jaws ; hut with a series of 

 teeth larger ^ pointed and equal on the upper jaw. Dorsals two, or deeply divided. Snout 

 arched. Spi7ies of the anal moderate or robust. No barbules. 



Obs. This genus is distinguishable from Sciena and Otolithus by the size and length of the 

 anal spines ; and from the latter more particularly by the absence of canines. The want of 

 cirri or barbules distinguishes it from Pogonias and Umbrina. About thirty-five species have 

 been described from various parts of the world. They occur in salt and fresh water, but 

 principally in the former. 



THE LAIvE SHEEPSHEAD. 



Cortina oscula. 



PLATE XXI. FIG. 63. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Sciena oscula. Lesoecr, Joum. Acad. Nat. Sciences, Vol. 2, p. 252, pi. 13. 

 lie Corb de Lesueur^ Corvina oscula. Cdv. et Val, Hist. Poiss. Vol. 5, p. 98. 

 C. id. KiRTLAND, Bost. Jour. Vol. 3, p. 350, pi. 6, fig. 3 ; Ohio Report, p. 193. 



Characteristics. Anterior profile sloping, somewhat concave. Snout prominent, rounded. 

 Length 12-18 inches. 



Description. Body compressed above, wider beneath. Back arched and gibbous. Scales 

 shorter than wide, slightly denticulated, small and crowded above and beneath the pectorals, 

 and covering the base of the dorsal and caudal fins. Lateral fin distinct, concurrent with the 

 back, and may be traced far up the caudal fin. Eyes large, prominent, rounded, near the 

 facial outline. Minute and scarcely perceptible serratures on the preopercle. Mouth small. 

 Teeth in the jaws small, conic, equal ; the outer series somewhat more robust. Pharyngeals 

 with large rounded and paved teeth. Five pores on the lower jaw. 



First ray of the spinous portion of the dorsal fin very short ; the third slightly longer than 

 the second, and longer than the others ; the ninth slightly longer than the first. The first ray 

 of the soft portion spinous ; the remainder subequal, branched, and ending beyond the termi- 

 nation of the anal fin : its rays vary from twenty-eight to thirty-one. Anal fin with two spines 

 and eight soft rays ; the first very short, stout and acute ; the second six times longer, and 

 very robust. Caudal rounded at the tips. 



Color. Bluish grey on the back ; darker on the nape and snout. Abdomen and chin greyish 

 white. 



Length, 15-0. Depth, 4 '5. 



Fin rays, D. 9.1.28; P. 19; V. 1.5; A. 2.8; C. 17 |. 



Fauna — Part 4. 10 



