MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OP NEW-YORK. 469 



a flounder, when he lies on his side ; yet he swims perpendicularly, 

 though he is so remarkably thin and flat. 



Mouth very small, and furnished with distinct lips. The upper jaw 

 short and retiring. Lower lengthened and jutting. The teeth seem to 

 be four in each jaw, and present in each three biting points. 



Colour all over the body and tail, are orange yellow, except the 

 chin, lips, belly, and the space extending toward the eyes and back, 

 which is of a bluish white. Where the orange predominates, there are 

 variegations of white, and where the white prevails, there are clouds of 

 orange. A sort of semi-transparency permitting the blood vessels to be 

 seen along the cheeks and nose. 



Skin rough, without prickles or scales ; and feels almost like that of 

 a shark, wearing away the fingers, especially if moved from the tail 

 head ward. 



A bone or horn between two and three inches long immediately above 

 the eyes. It may be reckoned as a first dorsal fin. It is white, rather 

 irregular, and rough on all sides like the skin. On the posterior part, 

 toward the summit, a small prong or branch. This ray or projection, 

 is capable of being elevated to a right angle, but has a catch, like that of 

 the balistes sufflamen, at about the angle of forty-five. 



Eyes large, and situated about midway between the gill-opening and 

 the horn. Colour dark, with a hue of pale green. Gill-opening oblique. 

 Tail convex and rounded. Two small orifices, like nostrils, in front of 

 the eye. 



A large ensiform cartilage extending almost from the neck to the vent, 

 and giving protection and form to the belly. No ventral fins. Pecto- 

 rals small. Belly flabby. Rays of the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins, 

 dark toward their extremities. 



Rays, B. 13. D. 1—34. V. 0. A. 38. C. 12. 



