MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 431 



Length eighteen inches. Head broad and squarish. Four spinous 

 processes on the head-piece ; two at the eyebrows, and two others at 

 some distance behind the eyes. A spine on each side of the thorax 

 above the pectoral fin. The rough gill-covers have each two strong 

 spines, directed backward, one on the middle, and the other on the 

 hinder plate. Beside these ten points, there are several other pro- 

 jections, not quite amounting to spines. 



Eyes vertical, and yellowish white. Two dorsal fins, the foremost of 

 which is spinous, and sinks into a furrow. Three of its rays serrated. 

 Body beset with small adhesive scales, and tapering away toward the tail. 



Colour of the head, back, and sides, dirty brown of different shades, 

 darker above, and lighter beneath. Belly cream coloured, with reddish 

 tinges, and rusty marks. Lateral line strongly distinguishable by its 

 prominency and higher colour. Below it a coloured stripe more in- 

 clined to reddish, and, as it approaches the tail, interrupted so as to 

 form a row of spots. Skin near them suffused with ruddy. Some 

 rusty spots between the two lines. Between the lower line and the 

 belly a course of brown and reddish spots. 



Three digitated processes in front of each pectoral fin. Pectorals 

 large and long, reaching two thirds of the distance to the tail, with dark 

 brown and reddish narrow lines across. 



First dorsal has an irregular inky patch. Anal fin reddish, with a 

 brown spot at the insertion of each ray. Caudal reddish. 



Rays, Br. 7. P. 13. V. 6. D. 9—12. A. 12. C. 17. 



2. Web-fingered Gurnard. (Trigla palmipes.) With bright yellow 

 fringes on the fingers. 



Length eighteen inches, and more. Head mailed and rough, even to 

 the rim of the jaws. Middle plate of the gill-cover has a strong spine 

 pointing backward. Posterior plate divided behind into two sharp 

 prongs. A soft layer and rim of skin behind them. A broad scale on. 



