410 1M1TCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 



ment of bones and teeth for crushing testaceous animals. The lower 

 bone is nearly an equi-lateral triangle of two inches on each side. Two 

 other converging bones are adapted to it above. Their surfaces are 

 paved with teeth, which are hard, rounded at the tops, and disposed in 

 rows as nearly as may be ; and they adhere without the aid of rooted 

 prongs. 



Cirrhi to the number of twelve, and sometimes of twenty-six, under 

 the chin and along the margin of the gill-cover. Toward the chin, five 

 indentations or holes, large enough to receive the end of a lead pencil. 



Scales of the body exceedingly large, stiff, horny, and marked by 

 radiated and concentric lines. Their form receding somewhat from 

 square, and approaching the figure of the letter D. They are so 

 planted in the skin that it is difficult to remove them. Lateral line 

 broad, rather indistinct, and running scaly to the end of the tail. 



Colour a dull silvery, like the dross of melted lead, with a faint 

 brassy, and a tinge of ruddy, though between the scales the skin is 

 inclined to blackish on the back and sides, and thereby gives its deno- 

 mination to the fish. Under the scales the silvery hue is most consider- 

 able. A black patch on the side of the older individuals behind the 

 pectoral fin. All the fins inclined to reddish, more especially the cau- 

 dal, pectoral, and dorsals. The first dorsal spinous, with a spiny stump 

 in front of the foremost ray. The foremost anal very thick and stout, 

 with a stump in the front of it. The first dorsal capable of being partly- 

 lowered or depressed into a furrow. Sometimes the space covered 

 or shaded by the pectoral fin is pale or Avhite. 



Tail even. Eyes silvery yellow. Swimming bladder very thick and 

 capacious, and a continuation of it, on each side of the thoracic verti- 

 brse, bedded in large cells between the ribs. Large glands near the 

 vent, internally ; probably the kidneys. 



