﻿HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 329 



ground, five in number, runs along each side of the throat. A similar row of twelve, 

 somewhat smaller in size, on each side of the belly from before pectorals to ventrals. 

 Above these, on the sides, another row of eight, still smaller ones, between base of pec- 

 torals and a point perpendicularly over ventrals ; between ventrals and anal, five ; above 

 anus, one, breaking the row, which is continued from the anus to base of tail by a series 

 of twenty-four, gradually decreasing in size to a mere speck ; about two .thirds this 

 distance, a single spot omitted on each side. 



Description. Body compressed, elongated. Its depth, which to near the ventrals is 

 equal, is about one fourth the whole length, and about the length of the head, of which 

 the diameter of the large eye is but little less than one third. Nostrils double, situated 

 just anteriorly to upper edge of orbit. Mouth widely cleft, its gape transverse, lower 

 jaw being much the longer when expanded. Lateral line nearly straight for the 

 posterior two thirds, and about midway of the body ; in its anterior third, rising to 

 upper third of operculum ; almost imperceptible. 



Dorsal situated at about the middle of the back, on a line between the ventrals and 

 anal ; moderate in size. 



The adipose fin about equidistant from dorsal and caudal ; hardly perceptible ; appar- 

 ently little more than a membranous ridge. 



Pectorals much elongated ; their rays gradually increasing in length upwards and 

 outwards. 



Ventrals and anal small, and situated very near each other. 



Caudal deeply forked. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 10. P. 17. V. 8. A. 15. C. 19. 



Length of specimen of 1856, one inch and six lines ; of that of 183T, two inches 

 and one line. 



Remarks. In December, 1837, I received from Mr. Jonathan Johnson, of Xahant, a 

 specimen of this fish, which he had just previously found alive on the beach at that 

 place. Although a fisherman from his youth, he had never seen a living specimen 

 before, but he had repeatedly found partially decomposed specimens in the stomachs of 

 haddock. 



Several years afterwards, my son, Horatio R. Storer, found a mutilated specimen in 

 the stomach of a cod at Pro\"incetown. 



Captain Atwood brought me a specimen in July, 1856, which had been found alive 

 a few days before upon the beach at Provincetown. This specimen has enabled 

 Mr. Sonrel to furnish me Avith a figure, and allowed me to redescribe the species. Our 

 fish agrees almost precisely with the very thoroughly and carefully draA^ii description 



