HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 163 



most posterior rajs are not quite equal to one fourth the height of the higliest ravs. 

 The height of the pectorals is one fifth greater than the height of the head. 



Just back of the anus is a minute naked spine, pointing forwards like that before the 

 dorsal fin. 



The anal fin terminates opposite the extremity of the dorsal fin. The membrane unit- 

 ing the rays of this fin, as well as that of the dorsal fin, is very fine, appearing to be a 

 continuation of the cuticle of the fish ; it is not continued to the extremities of the rays, 

 which are naked and bifid. Some distance anterior to the anus is a very minute spine, 

 which is naked and directed backwards. 



The caudal fin is deeply forked ; its longest rays are higher than the length of the head. 



Length about ten inches. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 45. P. 21. A. 43. C. 20. 



Remarks. — This species was first described by Professor Peck in 1794, and his com- 

 munication was published in the Memoirs of the American Academy for 1804. His de- 

 scription, which was a very accurate one, was accompanied by a respectable figure. His 

 specimens were taken on the coast of New Hampshire. This fish, which is known upon 

 some portions of Cape Cod as the Sheep'' s-head, and at Provincetown by the name of 

 Skipjack, is not uncommon in the waters of our State. It is taken along the Cape, in 

 considerable quantities, in nets with bass and mackerel. I have known a single specimen 

 to be taken from one of the wharves in this city. A peculiarly unpleasant odor is emit- 

 ted by this fish when caught, resembling somewhat that of sulphuretted hydrogen, which 

 sometimes produces a faintness accompanied with headache in the captor. It is used as 

 bait for the Striped Bass by our fishermen. By some it is considered an excellent pan- 

 fish. Being very oily, it is principally used for manure upon several portions of Cape Cod. 



New Hampshire, Peck. Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Ayres, Lin s ley. 

 New York, Mitchill, Dekay. 



GENUS XIII. SPHYRiENA, Cuv. 



Body elongated, with two distinct dorsals. Lower jaw longest ; both with long teeth. 

 Ventrals back of the pectorals. 



Sphyr.ena borealis, Dekay, 



The Northern Barracuda. 



(Plate XTI. Fig. 3.) 



Sphyrcena borealis, Nortltem Barracuda, Dekay, Report, p. 39, pi. 60, fig. 196. 



" " " " Storer, Proc. of Bost. Nat. Hist. Soc, I. p. 148. 



" " Stober, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, ii. p. .300. 



" " " Synopsis, p. 48. 



