HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 95 



Hole, and probably along our entire sea-coast. At low tide it is found upon the beaches 

 beneath stones and sand. On account of the mucus with which it is covered it is 

 known as the Butter-fish. From being enveloped in this secretion, it is with difficulty 

 retained in the hand after it is captured. It is frequently found in the stomachs of 

 other fishes. My son has detected it on the shores of Nova Scotia, and thence south- 

 ward as far as our own waters. 



Bay of Fundy (Island of Grand Menan), Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire, 

 H. B. Storer. Massachusetts, Storer. New York, Mitchill, Dekay. 



Gunnellus macrocephalus, Girard. 

 The Big-headed Gunnel. 



(Plate XVII. Fig 3.) 

 Gunnellus macrocephalus, Gikard, H. R. Stokee, Fishes of Labrador, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vi. p. 263. 



Color. Marbled, and banded transversely. Base of dorsal with the generic dark 

 spots, in number twelve or more. 



Description. Body elongated, compressed, attaining its greatest depth just posterior 

 to opercular angle. Head quite large, abrupt, triangularly prismatic, the base down- 

 ward, flattened, however, on occiput ; its length one eighth that of body, and just equal 

 to greatest depth of body. Cheeks protuberant. Gape of mouth large, obliquely up- 

 ward, so that lower jaw, projecting when open, does not equal the upper when mouth 

 is closed. Teeth in two rows in front of jaws ; the principal row being the inside one 

 on lower jaw, and the outside one on upper jaw. Eyes moderate, their horizontal 

 diameter double the distance between them. Scales moderate, of nearly equal size 

 throughout body ; when covered with mucus, giving the appearance of granulation. 

 Lateral line straight, running along middle of body. 



The dorsal fin commences above posterior angle of operculum, and is connected to 

 the caudal by a membrane of less height than its own. Its first rays nearly straight, 

 its posterior ones strongly curved. Its height greatest on a line above tips of pectorals. 

 Membrane stoutest posteriorly. 



The pectorals are of moderate size, somewhat fan-shaped. 



The ventrals are strongly marked, both the spine and filamentary ray, situated an- 

 teriorly to pectorals. 



The anal commences about on median line, connected with caudal by a low mem- 

 brane, and is of nearly equal height throughout. First two rays spinous, the anterior 

 the stouter. Its posterior rays longer than corresponding ones of dorsal. 



