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peatedly enriched the pages of the Medical Repository. Since his removal from Philadelphia to Palermo, he has published, among other works, in the Italian tongue, a tract entitled, Caratteri di alcuni nuovi generi et nuove specie di animali e piante delle Sicilia con varie osservationi sopra i medesimi; that is, characters of some new genera, and species of Sicilian animals and plants, accompanied with various observations. He has paid particular attention to the fishes in the Mediterranean, near the place of his residence; and has given figures and descriptions of fifty-nine species, which appear to him to have been overlooked by former writers.

It would scarcely seem possible, that so great a number of fishes, inhabiting that sea, should have remained unknown until the year 1810; and that the book, containing the plates, with the generic and specific marks of each, should have been so little noticed.

I take pleasure, as it lies before me, in giving a brief account of this able, though neglected performance. Immediately on his arrival at Palermo, he found there was much employment for a naturalist, in all the departments. Minerals, vegetables, and animals, each stood in need of illustration. For five years he employed himself with the greatest industry, in making journeys and excursions, and in procuring facts and specimens. The new information was so considerable and important, that he meditated an improved edition of CUPANI'S Panphyton Siculum, which was confined to plants, and converting it into a Panphysis Sicula that should embrace every sort of natural knowledge. He, however, abandoned that project, and determined to publish his zoölogical and botanical discoveries by themselves. It would hardly be expected, yet he declares it to be true, that he has discovered among the cetaceous animals, birds, amphibia, and fish, one hundred and seventy-eight new species, out of which he has found it necessary to constitute fifty-one new genera. A. B. Bernardi, one of the secretaries of state, has the

honour of the dedication; and Mr. S. promises soon to publish his discoveries among the vermes, molluscas, testacea, crustacea, and insects of Sicily. In all these enterprises, I heartily wish him both emolument and fame.

WHILE engaged in this performance, I have endeavoured to innovate as little as possible, upon established system, by the erection of new genera. I have, nevertheless, been obliged to constitute a family under the order of thoracici, to receive and accomodate a fish, for whom I could not otherwise find a place in the class.

CENTRONotus. CRAB-EATER.

Generic Character.

Head broad and smooth. Under jaw projects beyond the other. Eight spines in front of the dorsal fin. Lower division of the tail shorter than the upper. Lateral line somewhat waving, and entering the caudal fin. Eyes far apart.

Crab-eater. (Centronotus spinosus.) With dusky back, silver-white sides, and milk-white belly.

The specimen now before me was bought in the New-York market, June 11th, 1815. The length was thirty-one inches; breadth four ; and girth eleven. The weight was rather more than six pounds and a half. He had been catched in the bay a few hours before.

The halut and complexion at first glance, resembled, faintly, that of the big oceanic sucker; (echeneis neucrates;) but the difference was

very perceptible on examination. The head was broad, flat, and smooth.

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Not a knob, spine, or cirrhus, either on it, or on the chin or gill-covers. There were eight stout spines about a quarter of an inch long, and half an inch apart on the top of the back, in front of the dorsal fin. The form was such, that between the pectoral fins, the horizontal diameter was greatest; yet altered so that at the commencement of the dorsal fin, the perpendicular diameter was most considerable. From this part, the body tapered away gently to the tail, which was lunated unequally, the upper segment being rather longer than the lower, and the distance between their extremities being about seven inches.

The dorsal fin began immediately behind the last of the before-mentioned spines, or a foot from the snout; and it reached about the same distance toward the tail. The vent was nearly midway between the extremities; and the anal fin reached about eight inches beyond it. Both the dorsal and anal ceased before they reached the tail.

The upper jaw was bluntly rounded. The lower jutted beyond the upper; was rather lengthened, and less blunt. Both had distinct lips. The teeth were small, and resembled graters by their roughness. Gape of the mouth wide, and throat capacious. Both lips roughened by minute teeth. Three patches of teeth in the palate. Tongue broad, reddish, and in the middle cartilaginous, with an array of teeth upon it. Four pair of roundish cartilaginous patches, near the junction of the branchial arches, between the tongue and throat. In the throat itself, just in front of the gullet, two toothed patches above, and as many below. On these, the teeth rather longer and sharper than the rest.

The eyes were vertical on the sides of the head, and as much as three inches apart. Their colour whitish, with a tinge of yellow. About an inch in front of them, patulous double nostrils.

The general colour of the head, back, and tail, dorsal and caudal fins, dark brown, almost approaching to black. The inside of the pectorals

of the same hue; the outside a dirty white.

Behind the pectorals com

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