466 MITCIULL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 



of an inch and a half behind the upper lip. Three quarters of an inch 

 behind this, and further back on the head, is a second ray of about the 

 same length. The former is furnished at the tip or summit, with a 

 fleshy cirrhus of nearly two inches long ; the latter has no such addition, 

 but is bare. Four inches behind the latter of these, is a third soli- 

 tary ray, with more of a membranous connexion than either of the 

 former. This may be called the first dorsal fin. Three inches behind 

 this, are three rays associated and connected by a membrane. The 

 foremost of these exceeds three inches in length. These may be called 

 the second dorsal fin. Four inches behind this, commences another fin, 

 which may be truly denominated the third dorsal. It consists of twelve 

 rays, covered with the skin. 



The pectoral fin or appendage, contains twenty-seven concealed 

 rays. The branchial membrane is large and loose, containing five 

 rays on each side. The caudal fin has eight coarse and forked rays. 

 The anal fin has ten rays. Each ventral fin contains five rays that 

 are covered by a white and somewhat puckered skin, and bear some 

 resemblance to a hand. 



Both the lips and jaws are armed with acute and conical teeth, some 

 of which are half an inch long, and many of them are sheathed with skin 

 or membrane. The palate and throat are patched with parcels and 

 spots of teeth. 



There is a large bony process on each side, between the head and 

 pectoral fin, a few inches forward of the gill-opening : and several other 

 concealed processes about the head. 



There are two orbicular cirrhi on the fore part of the upper jaw. 



He is called by some the bellows-fish, from some resemblance his figure 

 bears to a bellows, and from a power to inflate or swell himself imme- 

 diately after being taken out of water. They have named him also the 

 sea-devil, on account of his ugliness. 



