MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 443 



white, and dark brown interspersed. Belly a dull white. Gill mem- 

 brane yellowish. Lateral line distinct, and nearly straight. Fins 

 brown, except the ventral, which are yellowish, and the rays incurvated 

 toward each other. 



Two dorsal fins, of which the foremost is about the middle of the 

 back, and consists of twelve rays ; and the hinder is near the tail, small, 

 membranous, or adipose. Under the latter is the anal fin, which is com- 

 posed of twelve rays. The branchial membrane has thirteen rays. 



Rays, Br. 13. V. 7. P. 14. D. 12—0. A. 12. C. 19. 



7. Banded Killifish. (Esox zonatus.) With a white belly, flat head, 

 and a dozen or more transverse marks down the sides. 



A very delicate fish, scarcely more than an inch long ; inhabiting the 

 salt water, as the other species do. m 



Belly white ; back brown ; and sides marked by fbout twelve per- 

 pendicular blackish and nearly equi-distant bars. Body semi-transparent. 



Head flat, broad, and tapering wedge wise to the neck below. Eyes 

 on the sides, large, and faintly yellowish. Brows at the extremities of 

 the crown. Lower jaw longer. 



One dorsal fin situated toward the tail. One anal opposite to it. 

 Ventral fins far back. Skin well protected by scales. Caudal tin broad, 

 and rather convex. 



Mouth rather small ; but capable of such elongation as to appear 

 almost rostrated. Teeth very minute. 



8. Bill-fish. (Esox belone.) Blue green above, silvery beneath, 

 and very long toothed jaws. 



Is nearly twenty-four inches long, and one and a half deep ; being 

 cylindrical and slender. 



Mouth rostrated, with rows of acute teeth in both jaws. The dis- 

 tance from the angle of the mouth to the tip of the lower jaw four 

 inches and a half. Eyes large, with a mixture of silvery and dark. 



