SCLENOIDEjE. 65 



decidedly spiny. By far the greater number of the species are inhabitants of the 

 sea exclusively, some have been observed to enter the rivers of India and Africa, 

 but not to ascend beyond the tidal waters ; the two species which occur in our 

 Fauna are inhabitants of fresh water only, being found in the Canadian lakes 

 above the falls of Niagara. 



The Malashegane inhabits Lake Huron. It is taken in the Georgian Bay, on 

 the north side of that lake, during the summer months, in gill-nets set in deep 

 water, or by hooks baited with worms. It feeds much on cray-fish. It is a firm, 

 white, well-tasted fish, but never fat, and requires much boiling. It is called 

 " Sheep's-head " by the Anglo-Canadians, probably for the reason that the same 

 appellation is bestowed on the Sargus ovis in the United States, viz., from its 

 having an arched nose, and " some smutty shades of colour on the face *." I had 

 no opportunity of examining the intestines of the Malashegane, though I can bear 

 testimony to its excellence as an article of food, in which respect it may be com- 

 pared to the turbot of Europe. My specimen was prepared by Mr. Todd. 



DESCRIPTION 

 Of a specimen taken at Penetanguishene, on Lake Huron. 



Form. — Profile, exclusive of the short and rather deep strap-shaped tail, irregularly oval : 

 the curve, from the snout to the dorsal fin, is quadrantal and abrupt, the head and shoulders 

 being very prominent. The greatest depth is at the attachment of the ventrals, where it 

 exceeds a third of the total length including the caudal. The head is rather small, and 

 higher than long ; the forehead flattish, the snout short, the lower jaw projecting a little, the 

 mouth cleft nearly as far back as the centre of the orbit, and the lips somewhat, flabby and 

 sparingly protrusive, but folding back when closed. Eyes lateral, situated more than two 

 diameters of the orbit from the extremity of the snout and one above the mouth : the irides are 

 silvery. The nostrils are near the eyes, arid the anterior opening is the smallest. There are 

 four pores beneath the end of the lower jaw, apparently leading to cells in the bone, but none 

 are perceptible on the muzzle, at least in the dried specimen. 



Teeth. — The opposing surfaces of both jaws are covered with small, slender, erect, 

 crowded teeth, the exterior row, and a small cluster on the tip of each jaw, being of a larger 

 size, though similar in form : " the outer ones have their points rounded, but from their slen- 

 derness they appear acute : there are also two patches of teeth on the upper pharyngeal 

 bones, and two on the lower." Mr. Todd, — (who does not describe their form, though it is 

 probable that they are " en gros paves ronds" as in the nearly allied C. oscula.) Tongue 

 pointed and smooth. 



Gill-covers. — The posterior edge of the gill-cover is irregularly curved, the tip of the sub- 

 operculum forming a small projecting angle on a line with the upper ray of the pectoral fin, 



* Mitchill. 



K 



