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Show 206 PISCES. LEBRAs, Cuv. Resembles a Precilia, with the exception of the teeth which are den. tated. p T l A species is found in Sardinia, the cect za ca aritana, Bon· nelli,(l) a very small fish marked on the flanks with little black streaks. FuNDULus, Lacep. The Funduli are allied in many particulars to the Precilire; but their teeth are small and crowded, and those of the anterior range hook· ed; tolerably stout conical ones are found in the pharynx; there are are but four rays in the branchire.(2) The MoLENESIA, Lesueur, Is distinguished by the position of the anal between the ventrals and under the origin of the dorsal, which is very large. The teeth are similar to those of a Fundulus, and there are only four or five rays in the branchire.(3) CYPRINODON, Lacep. Slender, small and crowded teeth; six rays in the branchire; other· wise similar to the three preceding genera. Gyp. umbra, Cuv.; UMBRA, Cramer. A small species found in the lakes of Austria, particularly in subterraneous streams; it is of a reddish brown, with some brown spots. ( 4) FAMILY II. ESOCES. We find no adipose fin in this family. The edge of the (1) Add Lebias ellipso'idea, Lesueur, op. cit., 1821, pl. ii, f. 1 and 3;-ub. rltomboi'dalis, Val. App. Humb. Zool. Obs., 11, pl. Ii, 3 ;-Leb. fasciata, Id. lb., 4. (2) Fund. camicolu,,, Val., or Oobitis lteteroclita, Lin., or Pmcilia e<tnicola, Scbn.; Mudfislt of Scha:pf. ;-Fund. fasciatus, Val. Ioc. cit., LIII, 1, or Preciliafasciata, Schn., or Esox pisciculus, Mitch., of which his Esox zonatus, or Hydrargyre swam· pine, Lacep., V, 319, is the young, but the fig. V, 3, is another species;-Fund. hra8iliensis, Val. loc. cit. Lll, 2. (3) Molinesia latipinna, Lesueur, Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1821, III, 1. (4) Add Cyprinodtmjlavulu8, Val., loc. cit. Llll, S, which is the Eso~jfawlul, MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES. 207 upper jaw is formed by the intermaxillary, or when it is not completely so formed, the maxillary is edentated and concealed in the thickness of the lips. The fishes which compose it are extremely voracious; their intestine is short and without creca; they all have a natatory bladder, and many of them ascend rivers. With the exception of the Microstomre, all those that are known have the dorsal opposite to the anal. Linnffus united them in the genus Esox, Lin. Which we divide as follows: Esox, Cuv. The Pikes, properly so called, have small intermaxillaries furnished with little pointed teeth in the middle of the upper jaw, of which they form the two-thirds, those on the sides of the jaw being edentated. The vomer, palatines, tongue, phat·yngeals and rays of the branchire, bristled with teeth resembling those of a card; a series of long pointed teeth on the sides of the lower jaw. The snout is oblong, obtuse, broad, and depressed; but one dorsal opposite the anal; the large and plaited stomach continuous, with an intestine without creca, which is twice flexed; a large natatory bladder. E. lucius, L. Bl., 32. (The Common Pike.) Well known as one of the most voracious and destructive of all fishes, but whose flesh is highly· esteemed. This species, which inhabits Europe, is found in the fresh waters of North America, where two other species are also to be met with; the flanks of the one, Esox reticularis, Lesueur, Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad., are marked with brownish lines, sometimes resembling net-work; the other,Esox Estor. ld., lb., I, 413, is sprinkled with round blackish spots. GALAXIAs, Cu v. No appat·ent scales on the body; the mouth slightly cleft; moderate and pointed teeth in the palatines and two jaws; nearly the whole edge of the upper one being formed by the intermaxillary; a few strong, hooked teeth on the tongue. The sides of the head present some pores, and the dorsal is opposite to the anal as in a true Esox; the intestines also resemble those of the latter.( 1) Mitch., pl. iv, 8, or the Oobitis maialis, Schn. ;-0. ovinus, or Esox ovinu8, Mitch.,. lb.;-C. variegatus, Lacep., V, xv, 1. (1) Esox truttaceus, Cuv. ;-Esox alepidotus, Forst. |