286 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



have also two spinous lamina? in front of these fins, and a fleshy barbel between 

 the eyes, terminated by a cluster of prickles. The gut is short and straight, with 

 a spiral valve as in the sharks. These fish produce very large leathery eggs, 

 having flat velvety edges*. The only two species known to Cuvier were placed by 

 him in separate sub-genera. The Chimera monstrosa, or king of the herrings, 

 inhabits the European seas, where it preys on fish that migrate in shoals. The 

 Callorhynclius antarcticus frequents the southern seas. The researches of Mr. 

 Collie, during Captain Beechey's recent voyage, render it probable that several 

 undescribed species exist in the Pacific. One was seen at Coquimbo, on the coast 

 of Chili, and another at Monterey, in California, possessing characters intermediate 

 between Chimsera and Callorhynclius. Another, inhabiting the northern parts of 

 the Pacific, is described in the Appendix to the Narrative of the Voyage alluded 

 to by Mr. Bennet, under the name of cliimcera Colllei. An elephant fish, taken 

 by Vancouver in Port Discovery, lat. 48°, in the Straits of Juan da Fuca, may pos- 

 sibly belong to this species. 



* Captain King says that the spawn of Callorhyneluis bears a strong resemblance to a broad leaf of sea-weed, within 

 the coats of which the fish, already perfect in form, is discovered suspended in fluid. Griffith's Cuvier, x., p. 97. 





