Cugupuguaca Brasil: The Hind.
These Fish are usually of the Size of this Figure, tho' some of
them are twice the Bigness: The Iris of the Eyes were bright yellow
and red blended together; the Mouth very wide with Rows of very
small sharp Teeth, besides two large ones at the End of the upper
Mandible. The whole Fish instead of Scales was covered with a thick
Skin variously coloured; viz the Head of a muddy Red, the
Back of a dark reddidh Brown, the Sides green and Belly white; the
whole sprinkled very thick with red Spots. It had five Finns: one
on the Back, the Fore-part of which was strength'ned with strong
sharp-pointed Bones, the Hind part with a smooth Edge and pliant:
two behind the Gills; one under the Abdomen, and another behind
the Anus, with two sharp-pointed Bones joyned to the Fore-part of
it; the Tail wide and rounding at the End when spread, with a black
Verge. They are esteemed a good Fish, and are plentiful in the shallow
Seas of the Bahama Islands.
Saltatrix: Skipjack.
This Fish had a bright yellowish Eye, the Mouth wide, both Mandibles
armed with a single Row of sharp Teeth; the Scales are small of
a shining Brightness; and when just taken are green on the Back,
which in Virginia has given them the Name of Green Fish;
but in Carolina it hath obtained the other Name from its
frequent Skipping out of the Water. It had five Finns; two behind
the Gills, one on the Hind-part of the Back, another opposite to
it under the Belly, and one under the Abdomen; the Tail wide and
forked. It is esteemed a tolerable good Fish.
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