SCLENOIDEjE. 69 



and therefore termed a canine. They resemble the maigres in their structure, and 

 especially in the smallness of the anal spine ; and have, like that sub-genus, the 

 exterior characters of the Sciaense in general, the bulging head, the cavernous 

 cranial bones, and the long second dorsal. The pores on the lower jaw either do 

 not exist, or they are so small as to be imperceptible. The air-bladders of those 

 which have been examined possess two pointed horn-like arms, originating laterally 

 and running forwards. The Otolithi inhabit the Indian Ocean and Atlantic coasts 

 of America, one species existing however in the sea of Goree, and another at the 

 Cape of Good Hope. The Indian ones have canines on both jaws, the American 

 species have only the upper canines, and it often happens that one of these is broken, 

 or, from some cause, does not grow. The two African species have smaller- sized 

 canines, and in one, O. atquidens, they are so little remarkable that the genus might 

 readily be mistaken. 



Dr. Mitchill informs us that the Squeteague " is a fish of a goodly appearance, 

 wholesome and well -tasted, though rather soft. He is taken both by the line and 

 seine, and is brought to the New York market in great numbers during the summer 

 months. He is called weaJc-jish, as some say, because he does not pull very hard 

 after he is hooked ; or, as others allege, because labouring men, who are fed upon 

 him, are weak by reason of the deficient nourishment in that kind of food. Cer- 

 tain peculiar noises under water, of a low rumbling or drumming kind, are ascribed, 

 by the fishermen, to the Squeteague. Whether the sounds come from these fishes 

 or not, it is certain, that during their season, only, they may be heard from the 

 bottom of the water, in places frequented by the weak-fish and not elsewhere. The 

 swimming-bladder is convertible into good glue. I have eaten as fine blancmange 

 made from it as from the isinglass of the sturgeon." From the same author we 

 learn, that this fish keeps within the limits of the salt water, never going into fresh 

 streams or ponds. It is known along the whole coast of the United States from 

 Rhode Island to New Orleans, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton Smith has taken 

 it in the Bate des Chaleurs, near the mouth of the St. Lawrence. 



" Its size is commonly from a foot to fifteen inches, but it often grows larger. One, twenty- 

 seven inches in length by seven in depth, weighed heavier than six pounds. The head and 

 back are brown, with frequently a tinge of greenish ; faintly silvery with dusky specks above 

 the lateral line, which gradually disappear on the sides, until on descending to the belly, a 

 clear white prevails from the chin to the tail. The eyes are large and pale yellow.'' 

 (Mitchill, I. c.) There are two strong canine teeth in the upper jaw, one of which is often 

 broken, the rest of that mandible is armed with a single row of teeth, which are very small 

 but distinct and pointed. The under jaw is also furnished with a row of small teeth which is 



