FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 75 



of each jaw. Lower jaw longer than the upper : a single row of 

 strong conical teeth in each jaw upon its sides ; with more than 

 one row in. front of the jaw. Teeth on the vomer. Tongue small. 

 Branchial aperture as wide as the base of the pectorals. The 

 lateral line, which is studded with very distinct mucous pores 

 throughout its whole extent, arises just back of the upper spine 

 of the operculum, and runs in nearly a straight course high up 

 on the back to the tail. 



The first Dorsal fin is quite small, and arises just back of the 

 head : it is composed of three spinous rays, of which the second 

 is longest. 



The second Dorsal commences directly behind the first, and 

 terminates just in front of the tail ; it is beautifully marked 

 with seven broad, oblique black bands : this fin, at its posterior 

 extremity, is one third less high than at its middle. 



The Pectorals originate at the lower edge of the branchial 

 opening. The fleshy portion of their base is sprinkled with 

 irregular markings like the head : the rays of these fins are 

 crossed transversely by six interrupted black bands, those at 

 the base being the narrowest. 



The Ventral fins originate some distance in front of the pecto- 

 rals ; they are composed of three rays ; the centre is large, ex- 

 ternally fleshy, falciform. 



The Anal fin commences rather further back than the dor- 

 sal : it is marked with seven oblique black bands. The fleshy 

 extremities of this fin, like those of the second dorsal, are free, 

 and present a digitated appearance. 



The Caudal fin has five uninterrupted transverse dark bands, 

 the two at base, narrower than the others. 



The fin rays are as follows : B. 3 ; D. 3, 25 ; P. 16 : V. 3 ; 

 A. 24 ; C. 14. 



The specimens from which Le Sueur described this species, 

 as being found at Egg Harbor, N. J., were much smaller than 

 those I have seen, being less than six inches : in some unim- 

 portant respects, his description differs from the appearance of 

 my specimens, an account of which is here presented : the 

 ichthyologist will at once perceive that they might very natu- 

 rally be produced by difference of age and locality. 



