490 MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 



honour of the dedication ; and Mr. S. promises soon to publish his dis- 

 coveries among the vermes, molluscas, testacea, Crustacea, and insects 

 of Sicily. In all these enterprises, I heartily wish him both emolument 

 and fame. 



While engaged in this performance, I have endeavoured to innovate 

 as little as possible, upon established system, by the erection of new 

 genera. I have, nevertheless, been obliged to constitute a family under 

 the order of thoracici, to receive and accomodate a fish, for whom I could 

 not otherwise find a place in the class. 



CENTRONOTUS. CRAB-EATER. 



Generic Character. 



Head broad and smooth. Under jaw projects beyond the other. 

 Eight spines in front of the dorsal fin. Lower division of the tail short- 

 er than the upper. Lateral line somewhat waving, and entering the 

 caudal fin. Eyes far apart. 



Crab-eater. (Centronotus spinosus.) With dusky back, silver-white 

 sides, and milk-white belly. 



The specimen now before me was bought in the New-York market, 

 June 11th, 1815. The length was thirty-one inches; breadth four; 

 and girth eleven. The weight was rather more than six pounds and a 

 half. He had been catched in the bay a few hours before. 



The halut and complexion at first glance, resembled, faintly, that of 

 the big oceanic sucker ; (echeneis neucrates ;) but the difference was 

 very perceptible on examination. The head was broad, flat, and smooth. 



