FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 49 



inches in height ; five in length : this fin resembles a very 

 strong membrane, similar to the fins of the Sharks, it being 

 almost impossible to count the rays : nine finlets between this 

 and the tail, of a bright yellow color, dark at base, and upon 

 anterior edge. 



The Pectoral fins are falciform ; of the same color as gill- 

 covers ; five inches long ; sixteen inches high. 



The Ventral fins are composed of very strong rays, situated 

 in a groove at their base,- just beneath pectorals ; above, black ; 

 beneath, white ; eleven inches high ; two inches long. . 



The Anal fin commences six inches back of the second dor- 

 sal ; and is similar in appearance to that fin : the rays cannot 

 be counted on account of their compactness : fin fifteen inches 

 high ; five inches long : nine finlets, color of the dorsal ; and, 

 like them, the middle longest. 



The Caudal fin is lunated : seven inches high in its middle ; 

 measuring two feet five inches across its extremities. At its 

 base, a lateral carina, which is continued on to tail, seven 

 inches long ; one and a half inches high. On each side ofthe 

 portion of it which is upon tail, two smaller carina? are situ- 

 ated, three inches in length, between these and the former, 

 depressions are thus produced. 



The fin rays so far as practicable to be counted, are about 

 as follows: D. 14-13; 9 finlets ; P. 34; V. 1-5; A. 2-12; 

 9 finlets; C. 19. 



Pelamys. Cuv. 



Generic characters. Distinguished from the Tunnies solely 

 by their separate, pointed, and strong teeth. 



P. sarda. Bloch. The Skip Jack. 



Trans Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. 428. 



Cuvi et Valenc. Hist Nat. des Poiss. t. viii. p. 149, pi. 217. 



This species is by our fishermen incorrectly called " Bonito. 



The true " Bonito" is a il Thynnus," Cuv. I have examined 



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