Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-02-03

Professor Agassiz account of their appear
ancc and structure. in his minute and rcen-
tiic investigation, will be interesting to nut
! uralists.
"The general appearance, he says, " Of
the fishes upon which this family is founded,
is that of our largest species of POmotis
(Perch) or rather that Of the broader types
ofSparoids, (Sea Ercam) Their body is com
pressed. oval, covered with scales of medium
size. The scales are cycloid, in which res
rect they differ widely from those fishes they
resemble most in external appearance. Head
small, with scales only on the checks and
opercular pieces. Teeth in both jaws. short
conical, arranged in one row, and slightly
recurved. The pharyngcal teeth much shorter
and bluntcr than those Of the .aws, aud ar
ranged like pavement. One long dorsal fin,
the anterior portion of which is supported by
srinous rays, and the rostcrior by numerous
articulated branching rays, which arc sheath
ed at the base hy two or three rows of scales,
separated from those Of the body by rather
broad and deep scalclcss furrOw. This last
popularity has not yet been observed IN an !
fish. rs far as know.
{" The vcntruls are Ruhth0rac.c as in the
Sraroids and provided with Il strong spinous
and five soft rays.
&" Four branchial arches, supporting four
complete hrdnchip with TWO rows Of lamcllp
in each. The opening behind the last arch is
vc:y small and entirely above the base Of Che
pcctoral fms. Pscudobranchia very large,
and composed Of sixteen or seventeen lamelp.
The alimentary canal is remarkably uniform
in width for its whole length There are no
cdcaI appcndagcs al all in any part of the in
tcstine. The ovarv is extended into Il sack
like large bag, subdiyided internally into a
number Of distinct pouches, in each Of which
IL young is wrapped up as in sheet, and all
are packed in the most economical manner as
far as saving space is concerned some having
their heads turned forwards, and others back :
wards. The size Of the young, compared with
that Of the mother, is very remarkable, leing
about Ona-third ot.thc length Of the iull grown
fish. Judging from their size, | suspected for
some time that the young could move in and
0ut Of this sack like young opossums. but
on carefully examining the position Of the
young. III the pouches, | remained satisfied
that this could not be the case, and that the
young Mr. jackson found so lively after put
ting them in bucket of salt water, had then
fc4 the first time come into free contact with
the element in whicl, they were soon to live
Prof. Agassiz adds. that" coun,ry which
furnishes such novelties in our days, bids fair
to enrich science with many other unexpected
iacts.' But another idea naturally suggests
itself Can it be possible that these singular
fishes have for perhaps an indefinite period
Of time Inhabited these waters, and yet cg
capped until now the watchlui eye OF c,ther the
fishermen or the investigator Or is there
indeed that progress in the succession Of be-
ing5 Oh the earth ) surface. tha, increasing
resemblance Of fishes to animals and of ami
mails to man, which til" great naturalists of
our I!y would f,in lead us to believe We
dare scarcely AK ourselves the question, for
we feel that we are alrc4dy ltta.,ng upon
dangerous ground.
TIE yonng officer who discovered these Won
dcrS ii the history Of fishes, 'lighted in the
spring Tune Of his brilliant promise, has al
ready passed beyond the fading htnor5 Of this
world. BY him, the voice OF ccnsure the
tribute Of rcsrcct, and the tender Offering OF
affection, are alike unheald. Professor \ gas-
,iz, however, rs he states, has been unwilling
to forero the pleasure OF connecting his maze
with his interesting discovery. Among the
specimens transmitted to him from California
there We're two distinct species. Helms given
to the family the title of EnL,oficQ. with ref
crnncr to its peculiar mode Of reproduction
ana to the sp cirs most closely resembling the
one discovered by Mr.. jackson the name Q:
LmjiOi'ca JactSoaH.--AN01ly Ere. Jour.