Il6 BONY-SCALED PIKE. 



gill-covers radiated^ the snout very long; the upper 

 jaw longer than the lower^ and both beset along 

 the edges with very numerous sharp teeth of un- 

 equal sizes ; three small ones succeeding each of 

 the longer throughout the whole length of the jaws : 

 the eyes are rather small than large^ and the nostrils 

 are double on each side, and placed near the tip of 

 the snout : the pectoral and ventral fms are small, 

 and of an ovate shape : the dorsal and anal of 

 similar form, and placed opposite each other at a 

 small distance from the tail, which is rather short, 

 and rounded or ovate : the first ray of all the fins, 

 as well as that on each side the tail, is extremely 

 strong, being edged with a double row of very 

 strong scaly processes : a similar row, but still 

 stronger, runs along the ridge of the back, consist- 

 ing of pretty large, heart-shaped scales : the body 

 is nearly cylindrical, or but very slightly com- 

 pressed. The general colour of this fish is green, 

 with a tinge of red about the gills, abdomen, and 

 fins, of which the dorsal and anal, with the tail, 

 are spotted with black. It is a native of the Ame- 

 rican lakes and rivers, growing to the length of 

 three or four feet, and is said to be of a very vora- 

 cious nature, swimming briskly, and preying on 

 almost all the smaller fishes. It is considered as an 

 excellent fish for the table, the flesh being white, 

 firm, and well-flavoured. 



