408 MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OP NEW-YORK. 



rounded, and consisting of about nineteen rays. The Ventral fin has 

 six rajs, of which the first is spinous. The pectoral has ten rays, con- 

 siderably lengthened, and tapering to a point. The branchial fin has 

 five rays. 



The tail is stout and broad. The mouth is moderate, and the jaws 

 furnished with small teeth. The nostrils are double; and the lateral 

 line curved upward to correspond with the arch of the back. 



The fish has very much the habit of a perch, but has no serrae, or 

 points on the gill plates. 



SOtMSA. 



Generic character. 



Head scaly. Dorsal fins two, seated in a furrow, into which they 

 may occasionally withdraw. Gill membrane six rayed. 



1. King-Jish. (Sciama nebulosa.) With cirrhous chin, clouded 

 skin, and ragged blunt processes, partly overhanging the upper lip. 



Length sixteen or eighteen inches ; depth about three ; though some 

 individuals are larger. Head and body scaly. Snout projecting, 

 rounded, soft, and smooth. Double nostrils between the eyes and 

 snout. Two other openings, like nostrils, beneath the snout, and near 

 the upper lip. Between these orifices, four ragged blunt processes, 

 like imperfect cirrhi, partly overhanging the upper lip. Both lips fur- 

 nished with rows of sharp little teeth. Tongue, palate, and throat 

 toothless. 



The gill membrane has six rays. Two dorsal fins, of which the fore- 

 most is furrowed. The first and second rays unite into a filament, be- 

 tween four and five inches long. A small short spine in front of the first 

 ray. Tail rather lunated or concave. 



