316 SaUAMIPENNES. 



The blade, as it comes from the fish, is between 

 three and four inches wide, at the base, depending 

 on the proportions of the individual to which it 

 belonged, tapering to a sharp point ; the edges 

 are rough, like a coarse file, not cutting, but cal- 

 culated rather for tearing; the upper surface 

 is ash-colored, convex, and covered by an epi- 

 dermis, or scarf skin, also rough to the touch, 

 like sand paper. The under side is lighter color- 

 ed, freer from roughness, and less convex. A 

 smaller fish is found in the southern states, whose 

 under jaw is terminated in a sword, in character 

 and use precisely like this ; how either of them 

 feed is a question which remains to be answered. 



FAMILY VI. SOJTAMIPENNES. 



Members of this family are known by the scales 

 mounting the soft portion of the fins, and by the 

 peculiarity of the teeth, which are very much like 

 short bristles, irregularly crowded together. 



GEN. SESERINUS. 



Seserinus Alepidotus. Though quite rare, 

 whenever taken, it will be recognised by the blue 



