FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 133 



in large quantities, in our hay in the summer, upon the cod 

 fishery grounds. When perfectly fresh, it is very sweet and 

 palatable, but so soon becomes soft, that it is kept with great 

 difficulty, and on this account is not much valued. 



The good specimen on my table was sent me by Dr. Yale. 

 Length fifteen inches ; depth of the body at the commence- 

 ment of the second dorsal fin, two inches. Body elongated ; 

 top of the head and upper part of the body, of a dull lead color ; 

 sides and abdomen white. The latei'al line, lighter colored 

 than the upper part of the body, arises above the operculum, 

 and curves slightly in its anterior half, then assumes a straight 

 line to the tail. The scales upon the top of the head, much 

 smaller than those upon the body of the fish. Length of the 

 head equal to about one fourth the length of the body. Pre- 

 operculum and maxillary bones of a beautiful shining silver 

 color ; the inferior portion of the gill-covers naked ; upper por- 

 tion scaly ; scales on the operculum reflecting a beautiful bluish 

 tint. Eyes very large ; pupils black ; irides silvery. Diam- 

 eter of the eye equal to three quarters the distance between 

 the eyes. At the anterior angle of the eye a bony process is 

 obseived ; just in front of this process are situated the nostrils, 

 which are double, the posterior much the larger. A sensible 

 depression on the top of the head between the eyes. Smaller 

 furrows on other parts of the head. The lower jaw the longer ; 

 the jaws as well as the palatine bones armed with a row of 

 prominent, sharp, recurved teeth, exterior to which, is a row 

 much smaller. Tip or middle of the upper jaw without teeth. 

 Outer edge of both intermaxillary bones, fuliginous. Jaws 

 within, palatines, vomer, fuliginous. A deep furrow exists in 

 the suborbitar bones, extending frcm just exterior to the snout 

 in the upper, to the posterior portion of the preoperculum ; and 

 beneath the lower, from the chin to the outer angle of the jaw. 



The first Dorsal fin. which is short and of a triangular 

 shape, arises just before the posterior angle of the operculum. 

 The distance between the dorsals, equal to one third the length 

 of the first dorsal. The second dorsal quite long : rays large, 

 terminating a short distance in front of the caudal fin. 



