56 
FISHES. 
any where. The branchial rays are four, flattened. The dorsal fin is immediately 
anterior to the ventral : the pectorals are placed low: the caudal is deeply divided. All 
the fins are small in proportion to the size of the fish. It is peculiar in having four 
penniform appendages, two on each side, at the base of the caudal fin, one above, the 
other below, the lateral line, about an inch and a half asunder. These appendages do 
not stand out as a fin does when erected, but are closely applied to the surface of the 
fish, and are imbued with a quantity of mucus. The head is without scales. The scales 
of the body are very large. The oesophagus is longitudinally folded; externally smooth, 
and very red; internally, at the anterior part, the membrane forms spiral convolutions, 
bearing fleshy teeth ; at the posterior part, the internal surface is formed into longitudi- 
nal ridges. The stomach is a dilatation of the general tube. The caeca are numerous. 
The intestinal tube is very long and variously convoluted, and is chiefly contained in a 
large cavity immediately behind the heart and before the air-bladder. The air-bladder 
is situated in the posterior part of the abdomen , and terminates abruptly anteriorly. 
The flesh of this fish is said to be well tasted.” — C. The other fishes observed were a 
Bagrus, Cuv., which was “ very common in the bay of San Bias, but seldom eaten:” a 
Pleuronectes, Pleur. Rhombus?, and a Raia, apparently the Myliobatis Narinari, Cuv. 
At Acapulco only four species of fishes are mentioned by Mr. Collie. These are, 
a Lutjanus, a Upeneus, a Pimelepterus, and an Orcynus l The general colour of the 
Lutjanus is “pink ; beneath, however, it is white and yellow. Beneath the lateral line, 
and parallel with it, are five stripes of yellow, alternating with five approaching to white 
but changeable. Above it similar but smaller stripes pass from it obliquely upwards 
and backwards.” — C. The Upeneus, which was common, is apparently distinct from 
those previously described ; its “ iris is above and below silvery, and yellow in the 
middle, this being the commencement of a similarly coloured stripe that runs to the 
tail, being situated anteriorly below the lateral line, posteriorly crossing it obliquely, 
and on the tail being altogether above it : the general colour above this stripe is red- 
dish, beneath it silvery white : the scales are finely serrated.” — C. The Pimelepterus 
was also common: its general colour was “ a uniform and dull silvery blue.” — C. The 
Orcynus ? had “falciform pectoral fins reaching opposite the anterior third of the anal: 
its length was sixteen inches and a half, and its depth seven : its general colour was 
greyish silvery, banded with a darker colour above, the fins and under parts being yel- 
lowish silvery. It was common, and afforded good eating.” — C. 
With the Bay of Coquimbo, on the coast of Chili, Mr. Collie’s notes terminate, by 
referring to two fishes, one of which was a Raia, Cuv., the other a Chimara ( Callo - 
rhynchus? ). Some anatomical details respecting the latter are appended to the account 
given, in a subsequent page, of the Chimara Colliei . 
