﻿HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 361 



The first dorsal fin is small, sub quadrangular when expanded ; it is situated one 

 sixth the length of the fish back of the head. 



The second dorsal, arising just back of the first, is continued to the tail ; it is rounded 

 at its posterior extremity. 



The fan-shaped pectorals are three quarters the length of the head. 



The veutrals are small, and terminate in a point. 



The anal fin arises on a line just back of the origin of the second dorsal ; it is of 

 the same length as that fin, and, like it, is joined to the caudal fin. 



The caudal is rounded at its extremity. 



The fin rays cannot be accurately made out, owing to the fleshy membrane of which 

 they are formed. 



Length, six inches. 



Remarks. This species was first described by Lesueur from a specimen taken at 

 Northampton. The individual which has enabled me to furnish the above description 

 was also brought from the Connecticut River, by Thomas M. Brewer, M. D., of this 

 city. 



GENUS IV. MOTELLA, Cuv. 



Body elongated, cylindrical, compressed posteriorly ; the first dorsal fin very slightly 

 elevated, delicate in structure, scarcely perceptible ; second dorsal and anal fins long, 

 continued nearly to the base of the tail. 



MoTELLA CAUDACUTA, StOrcr. 

 (Plate XXIX. Fig. 1.) 

 Motella caudacula, Storee, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., iii. p. 5. 



Color. The general color of the body is a yellowish-brown ; the posterior margin of 

 the second dorsal and anal fins, as well as the edges of the caudal fin, of a dark-slate 

 color ; the whole of the pectorals also of this color ; the ventrals are lighter. The bodv 

 beneath is lighter ; the throat and lower jaw are externally much lighter than the rest 

 of the body ; the inside of the mouth and tongue are purple. The barbels on the snout 

 of the color of the head ; that on the chin colorless. 



Description. The body of this species is elongated ; cylindrical anteriorly, much com- 

 pressed posteriorly. The head above is flattened posteriorly, and rounded anterior to 

 the eyes. The snout is blunted. The length of the head is equal to one sixth the 

 length of the entire fish ; the depth of the body is equal to about three fourths the 



