MITCHILL ON THE PISHES OF NEW-YORK. 375 



The head was large and fleshy. The mouth was furnished with a 

 single row of fine, thickset and comb-like teeth, in front. These do 

 not extend far back, but are found only in the forepart of the jaws. 



The skin was soft and uniform, without scales. The colour was 

 brown, with whitish clouds and lines along the back and sides, and of a 

 paler hue on the belly. Fins brown, or of the complexion of the back. 



The pectoral fins were broad, roundish, and composed of twelve 

 rays. The dorsal fin extended from the back of the head almost to the 

 tail, with a broad expansion ; and possessed twenty-nine rays. The 

 vent was about midway of the body ; and the anal fin reached from it 

 nearly to the tail, containing nineteen rays. The tail was rounded, and 

 formed of fifteen rays. The ventral fins were two rayed, and slightly 

 bifid. 



The gill membrane contained six rays, and was closed beneath, 

 leaving a narrow opening above and before the pectoral fin. The 

 lateral line became indistinct, after forming a gentle curve about half 

 the length of the fish ; and, indeed, vanished, so as to be incapable of 

 being traced any further. 



3. Large-lipped Blenny. (Blennius labrosus.) With a broad upper 

 lip ; approximated eyes ; smooth skin of a yellowish green or olive, 

 with dusky clouds ; anal, caudal, and dorsal fins united ; and with white 

 teeth in both the jaws, and in the throat. 



The length of the individual before me is about twenty-eight inches; 

 depth three inches and a half; and breadth across the jaws where the 

 body is widest is nearly four inches. It was taken at sea among the 

 cod fishes, and brought with them to market. The weight was three 

 pounds and rather more than one half. The upper lip is uncommonly 

 thick, and overhanging. The lower lip is also skinny and fleshy, but 

 shuts completely within the upper. The gape of the mouth is very wide. 

 The tongue broad, white, cushion-like, and smooth ; the palate exten- 



