472 Storer on the 
The fin rays are: D. 96; P.23; V. 5; A. 73; 
C. 35. 
In a specimen weighing twenty pounds, the color 
is brown upon the back, with yellowish sides and 
white abdomen. In this large specimen the lateral 
line is very indistinct; the ventra/s are yellow ; and 
the anal and dorsal fins do not extend so near the 
tail as in the smaller. 
From an examination of a young specimen, this 
species might be considered as distinct from the 
European fish. A careful study of all its charac- 
ters, however, must settle conclusively its identity. 
The difference between the number of the dorsal 
and anal rays of that species, as described in the 
works on ichthyology, and of the fish in our waters, 
arises undoubtedly from the great difficulty of 
counting them with accuracy, enveloped as they 
all are by a thick, fleshy membrane. 
Puycis.  Artedi. 
Generic characters. Body elongated ; two dorsal 
fins, the first short, the second long ; ventral fins 
with a single ray only at the base, afterward di- 
vided ; chin with one barbule. 
P. Americanus. Schn. The American Hake. 
Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. vol. i. p. 372. 
I have no means of seeing the description of this 
species by Schneider; but as Cuvier, in the notes 
to his “ Regne Animal," observes that Schneider's 
