HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



143 



The anal fin arises on a line with the posterior extremity of the second dorsal, and is 

 shaped like that fin. Seven finlets are situated back of the anal fin. 



The anus is small, and situated directly in front of the anal fin. A stout fleshy carina 

 is situated on each side of the fleshy portion of the tail ; on each side of the posterior part 

 of this carina two quite small obtuse carinse run directly backward across the middle of 

 the caudal fin, causing quite a depression between them. 



The caudal fin is lunated. Length of the exterior rays, compared with distance be- 

 tween the extremities when expanded, as 3 to 5^. 



About twenty inches in length. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 20 - 14 + VI 11. P. 24 or 26. V. 6. A. 14 + 

 VII. C. 24or26|. 



Remarks. This species, called by the fishermen in Boston Market the Skip-Jack, 

 and by those at the extremity of Cape Cod the Bonito, is very rarely met with in 

 Massachusetts Bay ; it is occasionally taken at Provincetown, and even at Lynn. South 

 of the Cape, at some seasons, it is frequently caught at Martha's Vineyard, with trailing 

 bait. Dekay remarks that it is but an " occasional visitor " to the coast of New York. 



Massachusetts, Siorer. Connecticut, Linsley. New York, Mitchill, Dekay. 



GENUS III. THYNNUS, Cuv. 

 Form of the body like that of Scomber, but less compressed. A kind of corselet round 

 the thorax, formed by scales larger and coarser than those of the rest of the body ; a long, 

 elevated crest on each side of the tail. The anterior dorsal reaching almost to the poste- 

 rior one. Numerous finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins. A single row of small, 

 pointed, crowded teeth in each jaw. 



Thtnnus secundo-dorsalis, Storer. 



The American Tunny. 



(Plate XII. Fig. 4.) 



TTtynnus vulgaris, Cuv , Common Tunny, Storer, Report, p. 47. 



" " Dekay, Report, p. 105, pi. 1 10, fip. 28. 



" " Storer, Mem. Amcr. Acad., New Series, n. p. 343. 



" " Stoker, Synopsis, p. 91. 



Color. Nearly black above. Silvery upon sides ; beneath white. Gill-covers a sil- 

 very gray. Pupils black ; irides golden, with greenish reflections. Rays of first dorsal 

 fuliginous; connecting membrane nearly black. Second dorsal of a reddish-brown color. 

 Pectorals silvery gray. Ventrals black above ; beneath white. Anal finlets, like those 

 on the dorsum, of a bright yellow color; dark at base and upon anterior edge. 



