430 HISTORY OF. THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
year 1836 I read a description of it to said Society, which was published in the 
first volume of their Journal, and afterwards in my “Report upon the Fishes of 
Massachusetts." This description I am again here compelled to present. The length 
of the specimen, in its dried state, is fourteen inches. From the contracted and 
wrinkled appearance of the ligamentary portion at the base ot the tail, it must vary 
considerably from the size of the living fish. 
- Massachusetts, STORER. 
CLASS II. CARTILAGINOUS FISHES. 
Skeleton cartilaginous. Cranium divided by indistinct sutures, Gills generally 
fixed ; the membrane without rays. Maxillary and intermaxillary bones either want- 
ing or rudimentary ; the palatines or vomer alone supplying their place. 
ORDER I. ELEUTHEROPOMI. | 
Gills pectinated, free, as in‘ ordinary fishes, with one large external aperture ‘on 
each side, furnished with a strong opercle; without rays. Upper jaw formed by 
the palatine bone, firmly united ' to the maxillary; intermaxillary rudimentary. 
FAMILY. XXVII. | STURIONID E. 
The genera of this family approach to ordinary fishes, by. their gills being at- 
tached only at one extremity. . They have but one branchial aperture, which is 
very open; they have: but ` one Ee and are without rays to the membrane 
of the gills. ` ES Cn , 
' GENUS ACIPENSER, Laws. 
Body elongated and shinier. defended by indurated plates and spines, arranged 
in longitudinal rows; snout. PA OD conical; mouth «placed on the under side of the 
head, tubular, and without teeth. ` 
