60 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



P. triacanthus. Peck. The Three-Spined Peprilus. 



Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, v. ii. p. 48, et fig 

 Mitchell, Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. York, p. 365, et fig. 

 Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. 



In 1794, Peck read a description of this fish, which he ac- 

 companied with a very fair figure, to the " American Academy," 

 under the name of u Stromateus triacanthus." This paper was 

 published in the year 1804. In 1814, Dr. Mitchell read his 

 paper upon the " Fishes of New York," to the " Literary and 

 Philosophical Society" of that state, and the next year this 

 paper was published in that society's Transactions : in his 

 paper, he describes the species under consideration, with the 

 specific name of " cryptosus." Mitchell's name is retained by 

 Cuvier in the Notes to his " Regne Animal." Dr. Mitchell 

 would never thus have neglected Peck had he been aware of 

 the existence of his paper. Our duty is clear ; and we cheer- 

 fully prefix the name given it by its first describer : his des- 

 cription is very accurate, and his name is equally appropriate. 



This species is not uncommon in our waters : it is generally 

 taken in nets, and is considerably used as bait for the " striped 

 basse" by our fishermen : being a very oily fish, it is found ser- 

 viceable as manure, for which purpose it is used upon some 

 portions of Cape Cod. I have known a single specimen to be 

 taken from one of the wharves in this city. 



From a specimen before me nine and a half inches long, and 

 three inches deep across from anus, I make the following des- 

 cription. Body ovate, very much compressed ; being more so 

 towards tail. Of a lead color upon back ; lighter on sides ; sil- 

 very upon abdomen. Length of head two inches, gradually 

 arched from snout above : arch of back continued to spine at 

 origin of dorsal fin. Eyes circular, one half inch in diameter ; 

 pupils black ; irides silvery. Nostrils small, three lines in front 

 of eyes ; anterior, circular ; posterior, a vertical fissure. Mouth 

 moderate in size ; jaws equal in length, at their edges present- 

 ing a large number of very minute, equal, compact serrations 



