134 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The Pectorals commence on a line beneath the posterior an- 

 gle of the operculum ; the fourth ray is the longest ; length of 

 the fin to its height as 5 to 32. 



The Yentrals are yellowish ; their length to their height as 



3 to 27. 



The Anal fin arises on a line nearly opposite the commence- 

 ment of the second dorsal fin, and terminates on the same 

 plane with that fin. 



The Caudal rays are nearly even. 



The fin rays are : D. 12-38 ; P. 13 ; Y. 7 ; A. 40 ; C. 30. 



This species is very accurately described by Mitchell. The 

 specimen which served for his description was of the same 

 size as that from which the preceding account has been drawn 

 up. The ichthyological student will perceive how much the 

 number of fin rays differs in this species. 



Thus, according to Pennant, they are : D. 9-40 ; P. 12; Y. 

 7 ; a. 39 — while Yarrell makes them thus : D. 10-29 ; P. 

 11; Y. 7; A. 21; C. 19— and Mitchell : D. 12-38; P. 13; 

 Y. 7 ; A. 41 ; C. 27. 



Lota. Cuv. 



Generic characters. In addition to the elongated body, with 

 two dorsal fins and one anal fin, possessed by the species of 

 Merlucius last described, may be added, chin with one or more 

 barbules. 



L. compressa. Le Sueur. The Eel Pout. 

 Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. i. p. 84. 



This species was described by Le Sueur as being received 

 from Northampton. The only specimen I have been able to 

 see was sent me from Keene, N. H. Taken as it was in the 

 Ashuelot river, one of the tributaries of the Connecticut. I do 

 not hesitate to draw my description from it, rather than use 

 that of Le Sueur. My specimen presents the following char- 

 acters. Color of the back and sides a yellowish brown, varie- 



