154 



WOLF FISH. Class IV. 



the canine teeth in that jaw, but in the upper are 

 feparate from them. 



In the centre are two rows of fiat ftrong teeth, 

 fixed on an oblong bafis upon the bones of the pa- 

 late and nofe. 

 BuFONiTEs. Thefe and the other grinding teeth are often 

 found foffil, and in that ftate called Bufomtes, or 

 Toad'ftones : they were formerly much efteemed for 

 ' their imaginary virtues, and were fet in gold, and 



worn as rings. 



The two bones that form the under jaw arc 

 united before by a loofe cartilage, which mecha- 

 nifm admitting of a motion from fide to fide, mofi; 

 evidently contributes to the defign of the whole, 

 viz. a facility of breaking, grinding, and commi- 

 nutincr its teftaceous and crufi:aceous food. At the 

 entrance of the gullet, above and below, are two 

 echinated bones : thefe are very fmail, being the 

 lefs necefiiary, as the food is in a great meafure 

 comminuted in the mouth by aid of the grinders. 



The body is long, and a little comprefl^ed fide- 

 ways ; the (kin fmooth and flippery : it wants the 

 lateral line. 



The perioral fins confifi; of eighteen rays, are 

 five inches long, and feven and a quarter broad. 



The dorfal fin extends from the hind part of the 

 head almofi: to the tail j the rays in the frefii fifii 

 are not vifible. 



The anal fin extends as far as the dorfal fin. 



The 



