226 



FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



although only one has heretofore been reported from the coasts of the United 

 States. The two are very much alike: 



i. Frontal profile nearly vertical in adult; maxillary reaching to or beyond middle of eye ; 



dorsal rays 55 to 65; anal rays 26 to 30; size very large hippurus . 



a. Frontal profile convex in adult; maxUlary reaching front of pupil; dorsal rays 51 to 65; 

 anal rays 24 to 26; size small eg 



(Coryphoena, a name given by Aristotle to the following species.) 



194. OOBYPH^NA HIPPURUS Linnaeus. 



open seas. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 952, 



Dolphin.. 



Coryphoena hippurus Linnaeus, Systema Naturse, ed. x, 261, 1758; 

 pi. cxlix, fig.402. Linton, 1905, 372; Beaufort. 



Diagnosis. — ^Depth .2 length; length of head contained 4-6 to 5.75 times in length; profile 

 varying with age and sex, that of adult male nearly vertical; maxillary extending to or beyond 

 middle of orbit; dorsal rays 55 to 65; anal rays 26 to 30. Color: brilliant, changing rapidly 

 after death; general hue Hght green, darker above; white or golden below; back and head with 

 a series of about 15 bright blue spots which extend on snout and form bands; dorsal fin purplish 

 blue, with paler oblique lines; caudal yellow; other fins tinged with blue; small black spots on 

 lower parts, {hippurus, horse-tail.) 



Fig. 97. Dolphin. Coryphoena hippurus. 



The dolphin is known from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and from the 

 western Pacific. On our east coast it ranges as far as Cape Cod, where a number 

 of small specimens have been collected by the writer, and is not rare from South 

 Carolina to Texas. It reaches a length of 6 feet, and is a good food fish, although 

 reputed to be poisonous at times. It is a powerful swimmer, and preys on other 

 fishes which live near the surface. 



This species has not heretofore been recorded from North Carolina. A 

 specimen was caught by a Beaufort fisherman on August 1, 1902, and sent to the 

 laboratory by Mr. Charles S. Wallace, of Morehead City. It measured 28.5 

 inches over all, had 56 dorsal and 27 anal rays, and contained fish, among which 

 silversides and a small lizard-fish were recognizable. In the summer of 1903 at 

 least one dolphin was taken near Beaufort, but did not reach the laboratory. 

 Two examples about 15 inches long from Carteret County are in the State 

 Museum at Raleigh. 



