92 NEW- YORK FAUNA. 



Mouth moderate, protractile, with a series of six flat chisel-shaped teeth in front of the upper 

 jaw, with their tips somewhat enlarged, and a row of eight similar shaped teeth in the lower. 

 Behind these, in both jaws, two or three series of small rounded molar-like teeth, which 

 increase in size on the sides of the jaws. Groups of acute curved teeth in the pharynx. A 

 short recumbent spine in front of the dorsal fin. Branchial rays five. 



The dorsal fin commences anterior to the base of the pectorals, with its twelve first erect 

 rays spinous ; the first short, second and third longest, the remainder subequal ; the soft por- 

 tion about the height of the spinous part. Pectorals very long and slender, reaching to the 

 tenth spinous ray of the dorsal. Ventrals stout, long and narrow, extending beyond the vent, 

 with a long ensiform scale beneath ; its first ray spinous. Anal fin terminating opposite to 

 the end of the dorsal, on a sort of production of tlie body ; it is composed of equal rays, and 

 has three spinous rays in front. Caudal deeply forked. 



Color. Sides silvery, becoming dusky above, with five or six dusky bars often obsolete, 

 and entirely disappearing in cabinet specimens. Upper part of the head deep purplish brown, 

 separated distinctly from the general color of the body. Dorsal fins horn-color ; its last rays 

 with a yellowish tinge. A purplish black spot just above the base of the pectorals. Pectorals 

 and caudals faint yellow, the latter margined with dusky. Anal margined with faint yellow 

 on the tips of the simple rays. Irides golden, mottled with brownish, turning to silvery. 

 White after death, when many yellow lines, not before visible, make their appearance over 

 the whole body. 



Length, G'O. Depth, 3-5. 



Fin rays, D. 1.12.11 ; P. 16; V. 1.5; A. 3.12; C. 20 f. 



This species is allied to the S. rhomboides of Cuvier and Valenciennes, but is at once dis- 

 tinguished by the want of bilobate teeth, and the recumbent spine before the dorsal fin. It is 

 more closely allied to the Chrysopliris aculeatus, to be hereafter described. 



This small species is sometimes caught in seines on the south side of Long-Island, in the 

 months of August and July. It is considered a palatable food. Its name of Sand Porgee, 

 among fishermen, is derived from its being most frequently found on sandy bottoms. 



