©F THE UNITED STATES. 7 



lum, closing the opening of the bronchia to prevent 

 their too widely separating. 



This small species appertains to the genus Lebia 

 of Cuvier by its denticulated teeth, and by its pos- 

 sessing four or five branchial rays. It was collected 

 in East Florida, and brought by the party of Messrs. 

 Maclure, Ord and Say. The figure represents the 

 natural size. 



B. 4 to 5.— P.— D. 11.— V. 6.— A. 10.— C. 20. 



The small fish to which I now call your attention, 

 apparently occupies a place between the Genus 

 Saurus and Scopeles of Cuvier. The individual 

 here described, is from thirteen to fourteen lines in 

 length, with the body compressed as in the herrings, 

 and having in common with them, the argentine color 

 of the abdomen, with the back of a deep blue. The 

 snout, or terminating portion of the head, is very 

 short, and truncated; the opening of the mouth 

 oblique, the cleft not passing beyond the parallel of 

 the eye ; the maxillary bones long, and narrow, the 

 inter- maxillary very small, set with minute teeth, the 

 former, and the wings of the palate are equally fur- 

 nished with them, as well as the rays which form the 

 opening of the gorge; these rays are prolonged be- 

 fore, in such a manner, that the lower ones appear to 

 form the termination of the tongue ; the opening of 

 the gills are large, and continued almost to the in- 

 sertion of the lower maxillary bones. 



According to the above character, this small fish 

 ought apparently to be placed between the two genera 



