GARFISH. 393 



works to wliicli I have access, I can find no mention of the 

 nature of its food. 



The usual size of this fish is about twenty-four inches ; 

 the specimen described measured three inches less. The 

 length from the point of the upper jaw to the end of 

 the operculum, compared to the whole length, was as one 

 to four ; the depth of the body compared to the whole 

 length, as one to sixteen : both jaws straight and very 

 much elongated, the under one the most so ; the teeth 

 numerous, minute ; the eye large, placed at the commence- 

 ment of the last third portion of the head ; the body uni- 

 form in depth to the anal fin, then tapering to the tail : 

 dorsal and anal fin beginning and ending nearly on the 

 same plane, the anterior rays of each of these fins longer 

 than the other rays ; pectoral fins small, immediately behind 

 the free edge of the operculum ; the ventral fins small, 

 situated rather behind the middle of the whole length of 

 the body ; vent immediately in advance of the anal fin ; 

 the tail forked, the external long rays as long again as those 

 of the centre. The number of fin-rays are — 



D. 17 : P. 13 : V. 6 : A. 22 : C. 15. 



The upper part of the head and back is of a dark green- 

 ish blue Mackerel-like tint, becoming lighter towards the 

 sides, which, with the whole of the belly, are silvery white ; 

 irides pale yellow, pupil dark blue ; cheeks and operculum 

 brilliant silvery white ; dorsal fin and tail greenish brown ; 

 pectoral, ventral, and anal fins white. 



The great length of the upper jaw is produced by an 

 elongation of the intermaxillary bones : great flexibility is 

 obtained by ligamentous union ; the gape is extensive, both 

 jaws separating simultaneously ; and this fish probably seizes 

 its prey with quickness and certainty. 



