56 F I S H E S .
any where. The branchial rays are four, flattened. Th e 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. I t is peculiar in having four
peuniform appendages, two on each side, at the base of the caudal fin, one above, the
other below, tbe 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. Th e oesophagus is longitudinally folded; externally smooth,
and very red; internally, at the anterior part, the membrane forms spiral convolutions,
bearing fleshy teeth ; a t tbe posterior part, the internal surface is formed into longitudinal
ridges. The stomach is a dilatation of the general tube. The cceca are numerous.
Th e 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 tlie abdomen, and terminates abruptly anteriorly.
The flesh of this fish is said to be well tasted.”—C. The other fishes observed were a
Bagrvs, 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.
A t Acapulco only four species of fishes are mentioned by Mr. Collie. These are,
a Lutjanus, a Upeneus, a Pimelepterus, and an Orcynus?. The general colour of the
Lutjanus is “ pink ; beneath, however, it is white arid 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 ‘'ir is is above and below silvery, and yellow in the
middle, this being tbe 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 reddish,
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 ? bad “ 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 yellowish
silvery. I t 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 ( Callorhynchus?).
Some anatomical details respecting the latter are appended to the account
given, in a subsequent page, of the Chimara Colliei.
I .
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