4 
364 Storer on the 
Natural History ; and Dr. Yale, I have had an op- 
portunity of examining several specimens. To the 
first of these gentlemen, I am indebted for much of 
the information obtained respecting this species. 
The following description, I have drawn up from 
a specimen fifteen inches in length. Depth of the 
body across, on a line with the base of the pectorals, 
three inches. Length of head, three inches six lines. 
All upper part of the body is of a bluish color; 
lower part of the sides, as well as of the abdomen, 
whitish. A large black spot at the base of the pec- 
toral fins. Head above, naked. Nostrils double, 
terminating in the same cavity ; the anterior orifice 
circular, and situated directly in front of the posterior, 
which is larger and placed horizontally. Jaws with 
prominent, sharp, lancinated teeth; the lower jaw 
has but one row of these; the upper, besides a sim- 
ilar row with the under jaw, has a row of very small 
teeth, back of these, A row of very minute teeth 
at the base of the tongue ; also small teeth upon the 
vomer and palatine bones. Eye, five lines in diam- 
eter; irides yellowish. Operculum terminated in 
two points, which do not amount to spines. The 
lateral line commences just above the posterior angle 
of the operculum, and curving with the body, termi- 
nates at the base of the rays of the caudal fin. Fins 
covered with scales. 
The first Dorsal fin is composed of seven spinous 
rays; these, when not erect, are received into a 
groove at their base. 
The Anus is half an inch in front of the anal fin. 
P 
