MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 383 



is not the case. The posterior section has a rounded form when the 

 rays are expanded. 



The tail consists of about nineteen rays, which, like all the others in 

 this fish, are coarse, and soft or cartilaginous. Their extremity is 

 almost straight, or bordering rather on the convex form. 



The anal fin consists of fifteen rays ; and is opposite to the posterior 

 section of the dorsal. 



The pectoral fin has a broad and strong insection just behind the 

 gill opening, and is composed of eighteen rays. It is large and rounded. 



The ventral fins consist of three rays, in each of which the foremost 

 is the stoutest. 



The gill membrane is seven rayed. 



The lateral line is marked by a row of skinny tubercles, and not by 

 cirrhi. 



The skin is scaleless, and loose, like that of some of the anglers, or 

 species of lophius. 



ZEUS. DORT. 



Generic character*. 



Head compressed, sloping down. Upper lip arched by a transverse 

 membrane. Tongue, in most instances, subulate. Body compressed, 

 broad, sub-rhomboid, thin, and of a bright colour. Gill membrane with 

 seven perpendicular rays, the lowest transverse. Dorsal fin in most spe- 

 cies furnished with filiform projecting rays. 



] . Hair-finned Dory. (Zeus capillaris.) With elongated dorsal 

 rays, deeply forked tail, and lengthened ventral fins. 



A rhomboidal, ill-shaped fish, four inches and a half long. Back 

 bluish ; sides and belly silvery. Scales none. Lateral line curved up- 

 ward at the breast like the crook of the letter 0- . 



