MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 417 



1. Silvery Perch. (Bodianus argyro-leucos.) With white and sil- 

 very scales, and lateral line reaching to the end of the tail. 



Eight inches long, and three deep. Gill-cover tripartite, with two 

 or three spines, and many serrae on the edge of the middle plate. 

 Back elevated, and belly prominent, so as to give him a plump appear- 

 ance. Tail even. Head and jaws somewhat sloping, and faintly ap- 

 proaching a rostrated figure. 



Mouth ample. Tongue conspicuous and smooth. Lips furnished 

 with minute and sharp teeth, but none in the palate, tongue, or throat. 

 Eyes rather large, and yellowish white. The whole complexion whit- 

 ish. The white of the back relieved by pale brown scales, disposed in 

 rows ascending toward the back, and thence inclining toward the tail. 



Lateral line rather arched by running to the extremity of the tail. 

 First ventral ray sharply spinous. All the first dorsal rays, and the two 

 first rays of the second fin, spinous. Below the line, the sides and 

 belly are alternated with shades of a silver white, and a milk white dis- 

 posed into spaces and rows. 



Ventral and anal fins yellow. Pectoral, caudal, and second dorsal, 

 yellowish. 



Rays, Br. 7. P. 15. V. 6. D. 11— 12. C. 17. 



2. Middle Grunts. {Bodianus costatus.) With cirrhous and cryp- 

 tous lower jaw, green-spotted gill-cover, and sides covered with rib— 

 clouded specks. 



Length eight inches and a half; depth two and a half. Head round- 

 ish and scaly. Middle plate of the tripartite gill-cover, both serrated 

 and aculeated. 



Lateral line runs to the extremity of the tail. Two dorsal fins, 

 neither of which is properly spinous ; and the first infringes upon the 

 second. Mouth under, and gaping after death. Teeth, in the throat, 

 above and below. 



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