HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 87 



Two elevated sharp ridges upon the occiput, wliicii bifurcate posteriorly into spinous 

 points. Eyes circular, very large ; the diameter of the orbit nearly equal to one third 

 the length of the head, when the jaws are closed ; the distance between the eyes 

 equal to five eighths the diameter of the eye. The nostrils are just in front of the eyes; 

 the posterior is much the larger. The jaws, pharynx, vomer, and palatine bones are 

 armed with numerous minute, sharp teeth; the upper jaw is very protractile, and has 

 an emargination at its centre, into which the extremity of the lower jaw shuts, when 

 the mouth is closed. The chin is prominent. The lateral line arises above the oper- 

 culum, and, taking the curve of the body, terminates at the caudal rays ; about thirty- 

 six tubes are seen in the course of the line, which are more nearly approximated at the 

 posterior portion of the body. 



The dorsal fin commences on a line with the upper opercular spine. Its anterior 

 half is composed of spinous rays ; the length of its highest rays is equal to about one 

 third the length of the fin ; the connecting membrane does not extend to the summit 

 of the rays, and they are thus left naked and projecting. The posterior half of this 

 fin is composed of membranous rays which are higher than the spinous ones; the length 

 of this portion, which is rounded above and posteriorly, is less than one half the length 

 of the spinous portion. 



The pectorals commence on a line with the third dorsal ray ; they are rounded when 

 expanded. The rays project beyond the connecting membrane ; the length of these 

 fins is equal to one third their height ; the middle rays are the longest. 



The ventrals are fan-shaped, and situated just back of the pectorals; their first ray 

 is a strong spine ; the second membranous ray is the longest. 



The anal has three strong spines ; the posterior the longest. The first membranous 

 ray is equal to the length of the fin. 



The caudal is slightly emarginated at its tip ; its length less than one third its 

 height. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 15-15. P. 18. V. 1 - 5. A. 3-7. C. 19. 

 Length one foot. 



In the specimens I have seen, the preopercular and opercular sj)ines are n)uch more 

 developed than they appear in Cuvier's figure of this species. Yarrell's and Dekay's 

 figures are copies from that of Cuvier. 



Remarks. This species is known to our fishermen by the names of " Rose-fish," 

 " Hemdurgan," and " Snapper." It is not common in Massachusetts Bay ; it is occa- 

 sionally taken during the winter, and rarely in the summer, while fishing for cod, near 

 shoal ledges contiguous to deep water. It is not a marketable fish with us, although 



