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OF THE UNITED STATES. 129 



4. Belona *Crocodila. Peron and Lesueur. 

 If we might judge from the imposing aspect of 

 the individual which we saw, this species appears to 

 attain a very considerable magnitude. It is distin- 

 guished from Esox Belona and the other species de- 

 signated and described by a very strong conic straight 

 pointed snout, the bony plates of which are strongly 

 radiated in order to protect the head. The body 

 is less elongated and thicker, more elevated and not 

 carinated towards the tail, the terminating fin of 

 which is lunulated with the lower lobe much longer 

 than the upper* The dorsal and anal fins are falci- 

 form, and long, the anterior part elevated, termina- 

 ting in a point, and equally placed, the posterior very 

 low and straight, more prolonged to the dorsal than 

 the anal fins, ventral rather long and pointed, lunu- 

 lated, situated nearer the eyes than the tail, pectoral 

 fin small, elevated, placed near to the angle of the 

 operculum. Jaws strong, straight and equal, form- 

 ing an elongated cone, pointedly terminated and 

 scattered, all armed with strong conic straight and 

 scattered teeth, between the bases of which there are 

 numerous other smaller ones which cover the maxil- 

 lary bones throughout their length. The scales 

 which cover the body are small. The lateral line 

 commences at the gorge, is undulated under the pec 

 toral fins, passes above the ventrals, and rises a little 

 to continue along the middle of the tail. The color 

 is similar to the preceding species. 



17 



