Dactyl opter us

[Gr. daktylos, and pteron, a wing or fin.] ( Ichth.) A genus of acanthopterygious fishes, the characteristics of which are: a large and long flat head, rising suddenly from the muzzle; the pre operculum furnished with an elongated strong spine; the jaws armed with ma es of minute conical teeth; six branch ios teg ous rays; the sub-pectoral rays numerous, very long, and connected by a membrane; body covered with hard, carinated scales. By means of their large fins, these fishes dart out of the water when pursued, and are able to sustain themselves in the air for several seconds. The sea-swallow, or flying gurnard, D. volitans, of the Atlantic coast of America, is 6 to 14 inches long. Dade' ville, in Alabama, a town, cap. of Tall a poos a co., 45 m. N.E. of Montgomery. Pop. (1897) 1,050. Dadeville, in Mi ouri, a post-village of Dade co., about 34 m. W.N.W. of Springfield.