384 Storer on the 
The Ventrals in front of the pectorals, colored like 
the other fins. 
The Anal straight at the extremity. 
_ The fin rays are as follows: D. 11; P. 8; V. 4; 
A.6; C.6. 
Barracuus. Bloch. 
Generic characters. The head horizontally flat- 
tened, broader than the body ; the mouth well cleft ; 
operculum and suboperculum spinous; sir bran- 
chial rays ; the ventrals narrow, inserted under the 
throat, and formed of but three rays, the first of 
which is elongated and widened ; pectorals support- 
ed by a small arm, the result of the elongation of 
the carpal bones. The first dorsal short, and sup- 
ported by three spinous rays ; the second is soft and 
long, as well as that of the anus, which corresponds 
to it. The lips are frequently furnished with fila- 
ments. Those which have been dissected, present a 
stomach resembling an oblong sac, and short intes- 
tines, but there is no coecum. The fore part of the 
natatory bladder is deeply bifurcated. They keep 
themselves hidden in the sand, to surprise their 
prey, like the Lophius, Sc. ; ; the wounds inflicted 
by the spines are reported dangerous. 
B. variegatus. Le Sueur. The Toad Fish. 
Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, Phil. vol. iii. p. 398. 
To Dr. Yale, I am indebted for two fine speci- 
mens of this species, from Holmes Hole. He in- 
Wi 
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