THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 
125 
On the coast of southern Florida, especially off Indian River, Biscayne Bay, and Key West, 
there is no fish, excepting possibly the tarpon, which affords more sport for the angler than the 
king-fish, nor is there any to whose season the angler and the commercial fishermen look forward 
with greater interest and anticipation of pleasure and profit. 
Though not obtained by. us in Forto Rico it doubtless occurs there, and we include it on the 
authority of Poev. 
Cybiam cavalla Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. 2, IX, 200, 1829, Brazil. 
Cybimnimmaculatum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 191, 1831; no locality given. 
Cybiam caballa, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 331, 1881. 
Scomberomorus cavalla, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 876, 1896. 
Family XXXV. TRICHIURIIME. The Cutlas-tishes. 
Body extremely elongate, band-shaped, naked, tapering to a point, the ventral fins imperfect or 
wanting, and the spinous and soft parts of the dorsal fin not differentiated. Mouth wide, jaws armed 
with strong unequal teeth. Premaxillaries not protractile. Pseudobranchiae present. Gills 4, a slit 
behind fourth; gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus; lateral line present. Dorsal fin very long, 
low, usually continuous, rays all similar. Caudal fin absent ; anal fin long and low, scarcely rising above 
surface of skin. Ventrals thoracic, rudimentary (. Eupleurbgra minus ) or wanting. Vertebrae in greatly 
increased number, about 160. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca numerous. 
Surface fishes of the tropical seas, comprising 2 genera and about (i species; very close to the 
Lepidopidte and G&mpylidi e, differing from the former chiefly in the absence of a caudal fin, the last stage 
in the progressive reduction of parts seen in these groups. 
Genus 52. TRICHIURUS Linnaeus. The Hair-tails. 
Body extremely elongate, band-like, tail very slender, tapering to a fine point, without caudal 
fin. Head long, with very wide mouth, jaws armed with unequal and very strong teeth; upper jaw 
with about four long, strongly compressed barbed teeth; teeth on palatines, none on vomer. Lower jaw 
the longer, preorbital covering cleft of mouth posteriorly. Dorsal fin single, low, occupying whole of 
back, spines not distinguishable from soft rays; anal very long, its base more than half length of body; 
composed of detached spines, which are very short, nearly hidden in skin, anterior directed backward, 
posterior foward; ventral fins wanting; pectorals small. No scales. Lateral line decurved, concurrent 
with belly. Vertebra; 39 + 120; ribs excessively frail. Color, silvery. 
Voracious fishes of the high seas; reaching a considerable size. 
83. Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus. “Machete'’ ; Cutlas-fish; Scabbard -fish; Silver-fish; Sable; Savola. 
Head 8; depth 15.5; eye 6.3 (2.1 in snout); snout 2.8; mandible 1.8; interorbital 6.8; D. about 
135; A. about 100. Body scaleless, greatly elongate and compressed, band-like, tail tapering to a line 
point, without caudal fin; jaws armed with very strong long teeth, larger ones of upper jaw barbed; 
lower jaw pointed; projecting preorbital with radiating striae; dorsal fin as long as back; anal fin of 
very short embedded spines, anterior directed backward, posterior forward; ventrals wanting. Color, 
bright silvery. 
