424 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
The anal fin, resembling the dorsal in its appearance, terminates just posteriorly 
to that fin. 
The caudal fin is composed of stout, bifurcated rays. 
The fin rays are as follows: — D. 1,35. P. 12. A. 39. C. 12. 
Length, seventeen inches. 
Remarks. 'The only individual of this species I have known to have been taken 
in our waters was captured at Salem, August, 1845. It belongs to the Natural 
History Society of that city, and was kindly loaned me by Dr. Wheatland, one 
of the Curators of the Society, to determine the species. The fish, when dis- 
covered, was swimming about two feet from the bottom, near the wharf, and from 
post to post, biting off the barnacles attached to them. When taken, and lying 
upon the wharf, it made a chirping noise like a bird, and endeavored to wound 
his captor with his spine. While dying, the color of the abdomen changed as in 
the dolphin. | 
The specimen referred to had been injured in its capture, being speared; and 
had lost its proportions by the process of drying, preventing me at the time from 
preparing an accurate description. My excellent friend, James Carson Brevoort, 
Esq., the distinguished ichthyologist of Brooklyn, New York, has kindly loaned me 
a specimen which has enabled me to present the above account. Dr. Dekay ob- 
serves that this is a rare species in the waters of New York, he having seen but 
two specimens. | 
In August, 1842, the late lamented Charles D. Bates, M. D., formerly of the 
U. S. Navy, sent me a figure and description of this fish which was taken in the 
harbor of Portland, Maine, when he was attached to that station. He observes in 
his letter to me: * This fish appeared, about a fathom under water, like a bit of kelp, 
and was rising toward the surface, when a fisherman, observing its motion, put 
his hand into the water, and the fish came directly into it and was caught." He 
adds: “It is called Hog-fish vulgarly, either from its snout resembling that of this 
animal, or from a sort of short grunting noise it makes on being taken out of the 
water." | : | | : 
Maine, Massachusetts, Srorer. Connecticut, Linstry. New York, Musep, 
Dexay. 
