FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 79 



also on the pharynx. The lateral line distinct, of a darker 

 rust color than the sides, curving very slightly with the body 

 until just before the termination of the dorsal fin, when it sud- 

 denly curves downwards two lines, and then passes straight to 

 the tail. 



The Dorsal fin arises on a line with the posterior angle of 

 the operculum, and terminates within about an inch of the tail. 

 It has about eighteen strong rays, the spines of which project 

 at their tips : the upper portion of their connecting membrane 

 is free, giving the appearance of filaments ; the eleven last rays 

 are membranous. The spinous rays gradually increase in 

 height to the membranous rays, which are still more elevated. 



The Pectorals arise on a line with the dorsal ; their height 

 to their length is as 2 to 1. 



The Ventrals are situated back of the pectorals ; the first ray 

 spinous. 



The Anal fin has its first three rays spinous ; its length to 

 its height as 2 to 1. 



The Caudal fin is nearly even at the tip ; its rays one third 

 longer than high. 



The fin rays are as follows : B. 5 ; D. 18-11 ; P. 15 ; V. 6 ; 

 A. 12; C. 16. 



Family XV. 

 FISTULARIDAE. 



Fistularia. Lin. 



Generic characters. A single dorsal, most of which, as well 

 as of the anal, is composed of simple rays. The intermaxil- 

 laries and the lower jaio are armed with small teeth. From 

 the two lobes of the caudal proceeds a filament which is some- 

 times as long as the body. The tube of the snout is very 

 long and depressed, the natatory bladder excessively small, 

 and the scales invisible. 



