340 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



in number above and below, and nearly similar in shape and size ; the two anterior longest 

 (see figure), prismatic, triangular, emarginatc behind, and terminate in points ; the posterior 

 teeth short, compressed, willi cutting edges which are emarginate, the anterior points becom- 

 ing more prolonged. Branchial aperture a short and narrow fissure, nearly vertical ; placed 

 in front of the superior part of the base of the pectorals. 



The first dorsal fin is composed of two, or as others may regard it, of three inequidistant 

 spines. Tlie first is two inches high, stout and subtriangular, immediately above the branchial 

 aperture ; broadly channelled behind from the base, gradually contracting to the lip : this 

 spine is smooth on its sides, and roughened with asperities in frojit. The second spine is 0*7 

 high, smooth, acute, and contiguous to the first, with which it is connected by a membrane 

 attached to more than two-thirds of its anterior surface. Through inadvertence on the part 

 of the engraver, the figure represents the appearance of another intermediate spine, which 

 is, however, only the posterior outline of the anterior ray. The third spine resembles the 

 second, but is more remote and apparently isolated, being an inch and a quarter distant, or 

 nearly midway between the first and second dorsals ; it has a small attached membrane. All 

 these spines lie in a deep groove, which entirely conceals them when recumbent. Second 

 dorsal long, triangular ; the first ray half the length of the second ; the -fourth, fifth and sixth 

 longest ; from the fifth, which is 2' 5 long, the rays decrease in length, a few of the posterior 

 rays being subequal. Pectorals short and rounded ; the base under the second dorsal spine. 

 The pelvic bone terminating in a short and broad spine, truncated at its tip. The spine is 

 hollowed behind, and covered in front and at the tip with irregularly pointed tubercles ; the 

 exposed portion is 0"4 long. Immediately behind, and contiguous to this spine, arises what 

 is considered by some writers as the representative of the ventral fin. It is low, and extends 

 to the vent, containing seven short bifid spinous rays. At the base of eacli ray, on each side, 

 is a short horizontal spine. The anal fin arises underneath the seventh ray of the second 

 dorsal, which it resembles in shape and size ; its longest ray is 1'9 in height, and the fin is 

 coterminal with the dorsal. The tail is oblong, narrow in the middle, enlarged at the base 

 of the rays. The caudal fin wide, with a double and broad emargination ; the middle rays 

 are distant from each other. 



Color. Blackish or dull brown above ; lighter on the side. Pupils black ; irides greenish. 



Length, 12-5; Depth 5'3, 



Fin rays, D. 2. 1 .28 ; P. 14 ; V. 7 ; A. 26 ; C. 12. 



In the year 1820, a specimen was communicated to me from the harbor of New-York. 

 I made a drawing and description of it at the time, but the latter is now mislaid. I then 

 supposed it to be the maculatus of Bloch ; but if the latter be, as I now suspect, the capriscus 

 of recent writers, it cannot be referred to that species. A memorandum on the drawing 

 above alluded to, has the following : " Irides green. D. 3.25 ; P. 12 ; A. 24 ; C. 12." 



It is a rare species, and probably that figured by Parra (p. 17, pi. 10), under the name of 

 Sobaco. 



