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FOUR-TOOTHED SCABBARD FISH. Cl. IV. 



GENUS XX. SCABBARD FISH. 



Head lengthened. 



Eyes, large lateral. 



Body compressed, carinated, ensiform. 



Fins, no true ventral.* 



1. Four- Xipotheca tetradens. Montagu in Mem. Pfern. Soc. i. 82 &623. 



TOOTHED. 



Descrip- [LENGTH five feet six inches j depth near 



TION. 



the gills four inches and an half; thickness in 

 the same part not exceeding an inch and a 

 quarter; weight, without the intestines, six 

 pounds one ounce. Each jaw furnished with 

 an irregular row of extremely sharp pointed 

 teeth, standing very conspicuous, even when 

 the mouth is closed ; the under jaw longest, 

 terminating in a callous projecting substance : 

 in the upper jaw are four large teeth in front ; 

 eyes large ; irides silvery ; the color of the skin, 

 which is quite smooth, and destitute of scales, 



* A pair of scales, situated considerably behind the pectoral 

 fins, seem to supply their place. This fish, therefore, appears to 

 be a link in the chain of nature, which connects the Apodal 

 Fishes with the three other sections which have ventral fins. 

 II. D. 



