FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 7 



L. lineatus. Cuv. The striped Basse. 



Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Society of N. Y. p. 413. 



Mc Murtrie's Cuv. v. ii. p. 98. 



Cuv, et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des. Poiss, t. it 



This fine species, which sometimes weighs 75 pounds, is 

 taken in considerable numbers upon our coast. Large quanti- 

 ties of small basse are caught with nets near Chelsea and Nan- 

 tasket beaches. It is generally found upon shoals near the 

 land, where frequently a dozen or more may be seen at a time 

 beneath the water, quietly lying upon the rocky bottom. In 

 the winter, this fish goes up into the rivers and arms of 

 the sea. Oftentimes basse of considerable size are taken in 

 Boston harbor. I saw in Boston market, on the 26th of July, 

 1837, a specimen 3 feet and 10 inches long, weighing 36 

 pounds, which was taken from one of the bridges leading out 

 of the city. The flesh of this species, particularly of the 

 larger ones, is rather coarse, but meets with a ready sale in a 

 fresh state : in 1836, a small number of barrels, (sixty-seven,) 

 were packed and inspected. 



The upper part of the body is silvery brown : lower part of 

 sides and abdomen a beautiful clear silver color ; eight or more 

 longitudinal black bands on each side, commencing just back 

 of opercula; the upper bands running the whole length of the 

 fish, the inferior ones terminating directly above the anal fin. 

 Length of head to length of entire fish as 1 to 5. Head 

 covered with scales throughout its whole extent, save the 

 frontal and suborbitar bones. Eyes moderate in size, pupils 

 black, irides golden : diameter of eye, equal to about half the 

 distance between eyes. Opercula in portions, cupreous. Teeth 

 in jaws numerous, teeth also upon palatine bones : tongue 

 rough. Lower jaw the longer. Nostrils double ; the posterior 

 larger. Preoperculum, at its posterior margin, finely serrated 

 throughout its whole length ; at its inferior margin, denticula- 

 ted. Operculum, at its posterior margin, furnished with two 

 spines, the lower of which is the larger. Lateral line very 

 distinct, arising above the superior spine of the operculum, and 

 running through the centre of one of the longitudinal bands. 



