﻿HOLBROOK, FISHES OF FLORIDA, GEORGIA, &c 49 



pendix. The sub-opercte is long and nearly of the same breadth throughout. The inter- 

 opercle is large ; the cheeks are protected by small scales, and the opercular bones by 

 large, but the top of the head is smooth. The mouth is small ; the posterior extremity 

 of the upper jaw not reaching to the orbit. The lower jaw, and intermaxillary bones are 

 armed, with two or three series of teeth, small, pointed, and closely set, with an outer 

 row of larger teeth ; these teeth are all similar in form to those of the last described 

 animal, but are more minute ; the vomer is furnished with a broadband arrow-headed 

 group of very fine teeth, and the pharyngeal bones with paved teeth, with a border 

 of closely set, sharp pointed teeth below ; and the upper pharyngeal with similar teeth 

 in front. 



The dorsal fin is long, elevated, and begins on a line with the posterior part of the 

 origin of the pectoral, and has ten spines, the two anterior short, the others long : it has 

 ten branched rays, more elevated than the spines. The pectoral is very long and 

 somewhat falciform in shape ; it begins on a line with the posterior margin of the 

 bony opercle and extends beyond the root of the third anal spine, and has fourteen 

 soft rays. The ventral begins back of the origin of the pectoral and ends behind the 

 vent, near the anterior anal spine. The anal fin arises opposite the root of the tenth 

 dorsal spine, or slightly behind it, and terminates with the dorsal fin behind ; it has 

 three spines, the anterior short, the others long and stout, with nine long branched 

 rays. The caudal is large, full, lunate behind and has seventeen rays. 



The scales are small, somewhat unguiform, straight before, rounded and ciliated 

 behind, and longest in the horizontal direction. The lateral line corresponds to the 

 arch of the back, and runs parallel with it. 



Color. See Specific Characters. 



Dimensions. The extent from the extremity of the opercle to the tip of the tail is 

 equal to three heads ; the greatest elevation without the dorsal fin, is equal to one head 

 and a half; the total length is seven and a half inches. 



Geographical Distribution. St. John's River, Florida. The original specimen is 

 in the collection of Prof. Agassiz, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. 



POMOTIS MARGINATUS. 

 Plate VI. Fig. 2. 



Specific Characters. Body much arched above and below ; dusky olive brown 

 above, with vertical bars of the same color extending to the median plane ; yellowish 

 below ; head and sides marked, with numerous bluish green spots ; appendix of the 

 opercle bordered with green. D. 9 - 12. P. 12. V. 1 - 5. A. 3 - 10. C. 17 



1J 



