Stbomateid®. FISHES. — -LAiiPBiDiDa;. ccxxxix 
circumscribed, like slieet-li_s>litiiing', as it darts Cortli 
and partially turns on its sides, all the while main- 
taining its relative position to the vessel with re- 
markable facility. 
LESEUE’S DOLPHIN {Ooryphmna seui’i, Guv. and 
Val.) — 'I'his is a pelagic species, as, indeed, others 
are, and only occasionally makes its appearance near 
shore. 
THE SMALL SPOTTED DOLPHIN {G. punctulata 
\Guv. and Val.), Gunth.) has the same range. 
This species is figured by DeKay as The Spotted 
Lajipugus (Lampugus punctulatus), who describes it 
as an exceedingly rare and beautiful Fish. 
F AMir.Y— STKO M A'l’EID 
This family is named from the Greek — Stromateus 
— parti-colored Fish. 'I’hese forms were at one time 
included with the Scombridos, but they are now seen 
to dilfer essentially. 'I'liere are not many of the 
family, but their distribution is very extended. Be- 
sides the three here recorded, one species inhabits 
the California waters. About fifteen species are 
known. 
BLACK KDDDEB. FISH [ralinuriclUTiys percifor- 
mis {Mitch.), Gill). — Ranges from Maine to Cape 
Jfatteras. This species is described by Mitchill as 
Perch Coryphbne, and Storer, as 'I’he Black Pilot 
(Palinurus perciformis).- The latter remarks that 
“It follows vessels, or keeps near old casks or planks 
that are floating, and sometimes is found near the 
wharf-logs in the harbor of Holmes’ Hole.” In 1815 
several dozens of these followed a ship into the har- 
bor of New York, and one of them was taken by 
the hook at the wharf in the month of August. 
.Mitchill figui'ed this latter specimen. * * * 
is now regarded as common enough to have received 
a popular name. Among the fishermen it is called 
Snip-hosed Mullet, 
HARVEST-FISH {Poronotus triacanthus {PecTc), 
Gill). — So named in New Jersey; Butter-fish in 
Massachusetts, and Dollak-fish in Maine. Peck 
named it Stromateus triacanthus; Mitchill as 
Cryptous Broad Shiner (S. cryptosus); Storer as 
Skip-jack or 'I’iiree-spined Peprilus (P. triacan- 
thus); BeKay as Short-finned Harvest-fish (Rhom- 
bus triacanthus). 'I'he last writer says it is equally 
notable for the splendor of its coloring and its ex- 
cellence as an article of food. “ This species was 
first described by Peck in 1794, who obtained his 
specimens from the coast of New Hampshire. At 
Cape Cod it is named Sheep’s-head, and is taken 
along the Massachusetts shore in considerable num- 
bers in nets, with Bass and Mackerel. I have known 
a specimen taken from one of the wharves of Bos- 
ton. A peculiarly unpleasant odor is emitted from 
this Fish when opened, resembling somewhat that of 
sulphuretted hydrogen, which sometimes produces 
faintness, accompanied with lieadache. It is used as 
a bait for Striped Bass. By some it is considered an 
excellent pan-fish. Being very oily it is used as ma- 
nure upon several portions of Cape Cod.” — Storer. 
Peprilus gardeni (Bloch, Schneider), Gill, is anothei' 
genus, with a range from New York to Florida. De- 
Kay figures and describes a Long-finned Harvest- 
fish (Rhombus longipennis), and Mitchill the same 
as Stromateus. Pepi'ilus alepidotus of Cuvier is 
synonymous. 
Family — BRAMIDA3. 
Pteraclis carolinm is alone in this family as a 
member of the American group. DeKay includes it 
in his family Sconibridoe, as an extra-limital species. 
It is found on the coast of South Carolina. 
Family — LAMPRIDIDHS. 
'I’his family is characterized by absence of teeth in 
the adult, very compressed body, small deciduous 
scales, small mouth, long, undivided dorsals, and a 
large air-bladder which has two parts posteriorly; 
other features are also seen in the gill-rays, fins, 
etc. A single genus is known, and one species is 
supposed to be the limit. 
OPAH {Lampris guttata, Petz). — Seen occasionally 
off Greenland. This Fish remained until recently 
unknown to students of nature, notwithstanding its 
remarkable colors and beautiful shape. It is nuined 
Zeus luna by Linnasus ; Chrysoste lune by Lacepede, 
and L. guttata and L. luna by others. In Norway it 
bears the name Laxetoye, or the Large Salmon. 
Couch, in History of British Fishes, says the latter 
name was applied by Peter Claussen in 1632, his 
specimen weighing one hundred and forty pounds. 
A Scandinavian name is Gi.ansfisk. 'I’he term Opah 
is thought to have been adopted from an African 
designation; a native prince of the latter country 
having seen a resemblance to one of the Pishes of 
his region. 'I’he term King-fish is applied to it, as 
it is said, because from its beautiful colors it looks 
like one of Neptune’s lords dressed for a court-day. 
Couch describes tiiis as an English species, and says: 
“Nilsson informs us that it has been taken on the 
coast of Norway time out of mind.” Its flesh is re- 
garded as good as that of Salmon, which it resembles 
much in flavor and color. It is rare in English 
waters. 'J’his author records several examples, with 
this remark : “We think it material to the history 
of a Fish, the habits of which are so little known, to 
preserve those dates as a contribution towards an 
explanation of the causes which may entice or drive 
it from its native depths.” 'I’his and the Bergylt or 
Sebastes, are cited as examples of the existence of 
some of the more brilliantly colored fishes living not 
only in the coldest regions, but in the deepest waters. 
Specimens of this Fish liave been taken measuring 
five feet in length. Its color is a bright green above, 
with reflections of purple and gold. 'I’he fins and eyes 
are scarlet, and numerous round golden spots are on 
the sides. Sibbald first noticed and figured this 
Fish, in Scotia Illustrata, from a specimen taken in 
the Firth of Forth. 'I’he Icelanders, according to 
Faber, esteem the Fish as food, and it is said to be 
“not uncommon among the Shetland Islands.” 
Reinhardt records several specimens as having been 
taken on the coast of Denmark ; AI. Risso notices it 
