﻿358 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The third dorsal is one fourth shorter than the second, and longer than the first. 



The pectorals are one fourth shorter than high. 



The ventrals are situated in front of the pectorals ; the first two rays are free at their 

 extremities ; the second ray is considerably the longer. 



The first anal fin is more than as long again as high. 



The second anal is shorter than the first anal, and is of the same form as the third 

 dorsal. The anals are separated from each other by a space equal to one fourth the 

 length of the second anal. 



The caudal fin is rounded at its posterior extremity. 



The fin rays are as foUows: — D. 13, 18, 19. P. IT. V. 6. A. 22, 18. C. 39. 



Length, twelve to fourteen inches. 



Remarks. This common species is taken by the hook from our wharves and bridges 

 in the summer ; and through the winter, Boston market is supplied with this fish from 

 the mouths of the rivers in the vicinity, ■where it is taken in dip-nets. The amount of 

 tom-cod taken at Watertown alone is estimated at two thousand bushels annually ; 

 about half of these are sent to Boston market, and the remainder to the neighboring 

 towns. 



Maine, Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Lixsley, Ayres. New York, Mitch- 

 ill, Dekay. 



GENUS n. MERLANGUS, Cur. 

 Three dorsal and two anal fins. No barbels to the chin. 



Merlaxgus purpureus, Storer. 



The PoUacA: 



(Plate XX\TII. Fig. 3.) 



Gadus purpureus, New York PoUack, Mitch., Trans. Lit. and PhU. Soc. of N. T., i. p. 370. 

 Merlangus Purpureus, Pollack, Storek, Report, p. 130. 



" " New York Pollack, Dekat, Report, p. 286, pi. 45, fig. 147. 



" " SiOEEE, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, ii. p. 472. 



" " " Synopsis, p. 220. 



Color. The upper part of the head and body is of a greenish-brown color ; the sides 

 are lighter ; the abdomen is white. In very small specimens, the color above is deeper, 

 and the abdomen is reddish. The pupUs are black ; the irides sUvery, with greenish re- 

 flections. The dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins are of the color of the back. The ven- 

 trals are white. The first anal fin is white at its base, and bluish above ; the second 



