76 riEW-YORK FAUNA. 



THE MALASHEGANAY. 



Cortina richardsonii. 



PLATE XX. FIG. 55. 



Xe Corb de Richardson, C. rkhardsonii. Cuv. et Val. Hist. Pois.s. Vol. 5, p. 100. 

 The Malashegane, Sciena {Corvina) id. Richardson, Faun. Vol. 3, p. C4, pi. 77. 



Characteristics. Greenish grey, with dusky bands over the back. Dorsal with a long mem- 

 brane behind. Anal with a single robust spine. Length one to two feet. 



Description. Form of the C. oscula, but with a more vertical profile, and the body more 

 oval. Scales large and robust, and their relative size as in the species just alluded to. Under 

 jaw somewhat longest, with four pores beneath. Mouth cleft as far back as the middle of 

 the orbit. Eyes moderately large, more than two diameters from the end of the snout. Teeth 

 numerous, minute, equal, but the outer row somewhat larger. Opercle ending in two lobes ; 

 preopercle minutely crenulated. 



The first dorsal spine short and obscure ; the fourth longest, from vvliich they diminish to 

 the ninth. The first ray of the soft portion of tlie dorsal spinous ; the remainder subequal ; 

 the last ray connected by a broad scolloped membrane, two inches long, to the upper part of 

 the tail. Pectoral fins pointed, its longest rays exceeding in length those of any other fin. 

 Anal fin with a stout ray, deeply grooved behind. 



Color. Grey, with dark transverse bands above. Sides silvery. Abdomen yellowish. 



Length, 10-0 -24-0. Depth, 4-0 - 8-0. 



Finrays, D. 9.1.18; P. 15; V. 1.5; A. 1.7; G. 17 f. 



This species, which is common in Lake Huron, where it is highly prized as food, and is 

 called Sheej}shead, also occurs, as I am informed, in Lake Erie. A fish has been described 

 to me at Buffalo and Barcelona, where it is called Black Sheepsliead, which agrees well in its 

 savory qualities, color and other characters, with the above species. Feeds on crayfish, etc. 



{EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



C. grisea, Wliite Perch of Ohio. (Les. Ac. Sc.) Dorsallong; scales rough; a slight frontal depres- 

 sion. D.9.33; V. 1.5; P. 16; A. 2.8; C. 19 i. Lcnsrth one to two feet. Ohio River. 



