MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 423 



bays, creeks, and coves were literally alive with them, and the markets 

 full of them. 



Rays, Br. 5. P. 19. D. 9—12. A. 13. C. 23. 



2. Spring Mackerel. (Scomber vernalis.) With longitudinal spu- 

 rious fins on the sides of the tail, and smutty patches near the pectoral 

 and ventral fins. 



A very elegant fish, of sixteen or seventeen inches long, and three 

 deep. Form round and tapering. Back marked by deep blue parallel 

 curved transverse bands, reaching below the lateral lines on each side. 

 The intervening spaces are of a paler blue and reddish brown. Head 

 bluish, with dark spots and marks. Shades of green intermixed. Belly 

 silvery white and iridescent. Hues beautifully changeable. Tail deep- 

 ly forked, or almost lunated ; and branching so wide that it measures 

 four inches across from the upper to the lower extremity of the caudal 

 fin. A spine before the first anal ray. 



The strongest rays proceed from the superior and inferior sides of 

 the tail, and not from the middle. Between the insertions of the cau- 

 dal rays, on each side of the tail, are two longitudinal spurious fins, half 

 an inch in continuance, with small scales in the interjacent spaces. 



Five finlets on the tail above and below. A smutty patch frequently 

 on the upper parts of the ventral fins ; and the like behind the pectorals. 



Asmoke-coloured streak or cloud obscuring the brilliancy of the 

 sides between the pectoral fin and the tail. 



Eyes large, with a transparent nictitating cover. Lower jaw ser- 

 rated. 



Lateral line corresponds with the back, and is not scaly ; though it 

 may be distinguished and traced by the finger. 



Is caught off Sandy-Hook in great numbers with the hook, and 

 brought in abundance to the New-York market. 



Rays, Br. 6. P. 17. V. 5. D. 10—11. A. 12. C. 20. 



