ISi NEW SPECIES OF FISH 



7th false fins which are distant from the dorsal and 

 anal fin, which are re-united by a membrane. 



HEMIRAMPHUS. Cuvier. 

 In these the intermaxillary bones form the border 

 of the upper jaw, the margin of the lower one is also 

 furnished with small teeth, but its symphysis is pro- 

 longed into a long point, or half beak, destitute of 

 teeth. In their general aspect, their scales and vicera. 

 they still resemble the Belona. 



They are found in the seas of both hemispheres : 

 and their flesh, although oily, is agreeable to the taste- 

 While Mr W illiam Maclure and myself were 

 passing the islands of the Antilles, we had occasion 

 to observe two species of fish, appertaining to the 

 new genus Hemiramphus of Cuvier. These no less 

 than the Belonas and Scombresoces appear to have 

 been confounded together without sufficiently appre- 

 ciating the species which consequently still remain 

 uncertain. One of those which came under my ob- 

 servation, appears to be that described under the 

 name of Esox Brasiliensis. Lix. and Block, 391, 

 which is also the Esox Margmatus of Lacepede. 

 v. VII. %, The other appears to be new ; but for 

 the sake of more accurate distinction, I have consi- 

 dered it useful to give the comparative descriptions 

 which I made at different places as at Martinique, 

 Guadaloupe, Dominique, &c. where these species 

 are the object of a particular fishery, sufficiently in- 

 teresting by the manner in which it is conducted. 



