439 



OBLONG SUN'FISH. 



Cephalus Oblongus. C. corpore ohlongo, truncato, 

 Sun-Fish wirh oblong, truncated body. 

 Tetrodon truncatus. Var. /3. Tetr. Molx. Lin. Gmel. 

 Oblong Diodon. Fenn. Brit. ZooL 



Much allied to the preceding species, but of a 

 more lengthened shape ; resembling a Bream or 

 some deep fish cut off in the middle : the colour of 

 the back is dusky with some variegations : the ab- 

 domen silvery, and between the eyes and the pec- 

 toral fins are a few dusky streaks pointing down- 

 wards. It has been supposed by some however 

 that the oblong Sun-Fish is in reality rather a 

 variety of the preceding, or a sexual difference, than 

 a distinct species : Cepede in particular affirms 

 that, on examining several specimens, he has ob- 

 served intermediate gradations between the oblong 

 and the short Sun-Fish. 



VARIEGATED SUN-FISH. 



Cephalus Varius. C. corpore fasciis midulatis maculisque alhidis 

 variato. 



Sun-Fish with the body variegated by whitish undulations and 

 spots. 



Similar in proportions and general appearance to 

 the Oblong Sun-nsh, but distinguished by a different 

 distribution of colours; the whole body being mark- 

 ed by numerous undulations of a lighter colour than 



