Turdus Flavus: The Hog-Fish.
The largest Size of this Fish, that I have observed, was as big
again as this Figure: The whole Fish including the Eyes and Fins
of a yellowish red; The Head resembles that of a Hog, being sharp
snouted. The End of the upper Mandible is armed with large sharp
Teeth, opposite to which in the under Jaw are two of the like Size,
the Rest of the Teeth are small, sharp and thick set; The upper
Mandible is cartilaginous, and so disjointed from the Head that
it can dilate it and contract it at Pleasure, on the Back was one
long spiny Fin; two more were placed behind the Gills, one under
the Abdomen, and one behind the Anus, guarded before by three sharp
Bones; the Tail of an oblong Square, except that the Edges terminate
in two Points.
Turdus cinereus peltatus: The Shad.
The Colour of this Fish is light gray with some of its Scales
tinctured with Purple, the Eyes large and yellow, the Fore-part
of the Head growing narrow towards the Nose, the Mouth small and
without Teeth; But what is most singular in this Fish, is, that
the Fore-part of its Head was of a cartilaginous Substance, the
Backpart strong and bony; which seems designed for a Sheild to secure
the defenceless Part, which he contracts under it when Danger approaches:
A long spiny Fin covered the greater Part of its Back, ending almost
at his Tail; The lower-part of which was covered with a double Skin
the whole Length; Behind the Gills were two more, and one under
the Abdomen, with a fifth behind the Anus; the Tail wide and forked.
This is esteemed a good Fish.
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