MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OV IXEW-YOftk. 471 



smooth spot below the dorsal fin amidst the spines. Sometimes a 

 spiny spot obliquely behind the pectoral fin. 



I examined the fresh specimen of this species 20th June, 1814. 



2. Hairy Diodon. (Diedon ptlosus.) With a covering of bristly 

 hair. 



Length about an inch and a half; breadth less than half an inch ; 

 depth nearly a quarter ; making a blunt lump of a fish. 



Is covered all over, back, sides, head, and belly, with bristly hair. 

 The bristles strong and flexible, without the power to scratch or to 

 prick. 



Hair about the eighth of an inch in length. Complexion dun or 

 brown ; with spots on the back, sides, and toward the belly. Has, at 

 first glimpse, the appearance of a young mouse. 



Mouth small, midway, and horizontal. Eyes vertical, lateral, and 

 large- No ventral fins. Pectorals broad. Dorsal and anal very far 

 back ; and no hair between them and the tail. This is but a small pro- 

 jection from the thick and clumsy body, and is terminated by a fin of 

 seven rays. 



Dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins contain each about thirteen rays. 



CEPHALUS. SUN-FISH. 



Generic character. 



Jaws bony. Body terminating abruptly, so as to resemble the head 

 of a fish*. 



Short sun-fish. (Cephalus brcvis.) With a suborbicular body. 



The one I examined was harpooned within Sandy-Hook. He is fre- 

 quently seen on the coast of North America, by mariners. The dimen- 

 sions of my specimen were these ; from the nose to the extremity of 



