422 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
The individual now described measured fifty-four inches in length, and was judged 
to weigh nearly five hundred pounds. 
This species is occasionally met with during the summer season in Massachusetts 
Bay, sluggishly swimming near the surface. On account of the great elasticity of 
its exterior, it is captured with difficulty, by being gaffed at or near the branchial 
aperture. Dr. Yale, writing of this species to me, observes; * It has an entire car- 
tilaginous case of an inch and a half to two inches thick, covering the whole body, 
perfectly white and milky in its appearance, and very elastic. A small ball of it, 
cut out and thrown with moderate force upon the ground, will rebound from fifteen 
to twenty feet.” Its liver, which weighs eight or ten pounds, is very oily, furnish- 
ing two or more quarts of oil, which is used by the fishermen to grease their 
masts; it is also sometimes used by painters, although Captain Atwood tells me 
he does not think it preferable in this respect to other fish-oil It is considered 
by many fishermen a valuable application for sprains and bruises, and by such it 
is preserved for these purposes. 
Upon the exterior of the specimens described in my * Report" were attached 
several parasites; at the base of, or near to the fins, a large number of the Pen- 
nella sagitta were found imbedded, with their pinnated extremities projecting like 
tentacule, and to them were firmly fixed specimens of the Cineras vittata. One 
beautiful specimen of the Tristoma coccineum, figured by Yarrell as being taken from 
this species, was found firmly attached to the posterior extremity of the fish. Closely 
attached to the branchiz were a dozen or more specimens of the Cecrops Latreillii. 
The thickness of the exterior varies from two to three inches. A large number 
of Tenie were found in the intestines. Several Cysticerci were imbedded in the 
substance of the liver. 
Massachusetts, STORER. New York, MircmiL, Dexay. 
FAMILY XXV. BALISTIDA. 
Body compressed. Snout prolonged from the eyes. Mouth small, with a few 
distinct teeth in each jaw. Skin roughened with prickles or scales. Dorsals, two; 
the anterior sometimes represented by a single spine. Ventrals often wanting or 
indistinct. Pelvic bone prominent. 
