SILVER TRICHIURE. 91 



wide, the lower jaw longer than the upper, and 

 furnished with differently sized teeth, the longest of 

 which are barbed at the tips by a sharp descending 

 process or hook on one side : the tongue is smooth, 

 longish, and triangular : in the throat are two rough 

 bones : the eyes are vertical, approximated, and 

 large : the lateral line is of a gold-colour, and, com- 

 mencing behind the gill-covers, is continued to the 

 tip of the tail : the dorsal fin, which is of moderate 

 width, transparent, and of a yellowish tinge, com- 

 mences almost immediately behind the head, and 

 runs to within a very small distance of the extremity 

 of the tail, at which part it degenerates into a mere 

 membrane, being strongly radiated in other parts : 

 the pectoral fins are rather small, and of an ovate 

 shape : there is, properly speaking, no direct vent- 

 fin, but a series of very small naked spines or rays, 

 to the number of about 110, are continued from 

 the vent, which is situated about the middle of the 

 body, to near the tip of the tail. The general length 

 of this fish is from two to three feet : it is said to be 

 of a very voracious nature, swims with rapidity, 

 and in the pursuit of its prey sometimes leaps into 

 small vessels which happen to be sailing by. It is 

 a native of the rivers and larger lakes of South 

 America, and is considered as an eatable fish. It 

 is also said to be found in some parts of India, and 

 in China. 



