86 



HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Color. Of a greenish brown above, silvery beneath ; this silvery appearance is more 

 striking upon the inferior portions of the head and throat. The lateral line and caudal 

 fin are yellow. 



Description. Body very much elongated and slightly compressed. Length of head 

 equal to about one fourth the length of the body ; it is flattened above and ridged ; this 

 upper portion of the head, as well as its sides in front of the eyes, and the intermaxillaries, 

 is destitute of scales ; gill-covers with minute scales. The operculum terminates posterior- 

 ly in an acute angle; preoperculum rounded posteriorly. Eyes large, circular; distance 

 between eyes equal to diameter of eye. Nostrils situated directly in front of eye; the 

 anterior circular and the smaller. Snout obtuse; lower jaw projecting beyond the upper. 

 Gape of mouth large. Fleshy protuberance at chin. Posterior teeth in lower jaw lar- 

 gest of all, with the exception of the two anterior. Two prominent sharp teeth on each 

 side of tip of upper jaw. A large number of very minute teeth are seen upon the inter- 

 maxillaries; numerous teeth also upon the palatines on each side, the three anterior of 

 which are much the largest. Tongue rough. The lateral line commences at the poste- 

 rior superior angle of the operculum, and, curving slightly downwards to a line above the 

 posterior half of the pectoral fin, pursues a straight course thence to the tail. The scales 

 along the lateral line slightly resemble those in the same situation of the genus Caranx. 



The first dorsal fin commences nearly opposite the origin of the ventral fin. It is of a 

 triangular form ; its membrane is exceedingly delicate ; the second ray is the highest; 

 the first and third are equal ; the length and greatest height of the fin are equal. The 

 tips of all the rays project considerably beyond the connecting membrane. 



The second dorsal fin commences anterior to the anal, and is subquadrangular. The 

 membrane connecting the rays is much firmer than that of the first dorsal. The first ray 

 is simple, the others bifurcated. 



The pectorals commence just beneath the posterior angle of the operculum. The first 

 ray is simple; its height is about equal to that of the first dorsal. 



The ventrals are situated beneath the first dorsal ; they are a little shorter than the 

 pectorals. 



The anal is situated beneath the second dorsal, and its height is about equal to the 

 height of that fin. 



The caudal is deeply forked. 



Length about nine inches. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 5 - 10. P. 14. V. 6. A. 10. C. 20. 



Remarks. Several specimens of this fish were sent me in September, 1843, by Dr. 

 Yale, from Holmes's Hole. 



Massachusetts, Storer. New York, Dekay. 



