132 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



centre of the posterior three or four rays ; anterior to this spot, in some of the larger 

 specimens, are three or four broken, dark-colored blotches. The pectorals are yel- 

 lowish. The ventrals are the color of the abdomen. The anal fin is almost green. 

 The caudal fin is orange-colored, margined at its extremity with black. In the dead 

 fish, the general color becomes much lighter, but the black spots upon the dorsal fin 

 and operculum remain. 



Description. Body elongated, slightly convex on the dorsum over the pectorals in 

 the female, nearly straight in the male. Greatest depth of the body, which is across 

 the pectorals, less than the length of the head. The head, which is equal in length 

 to one fourth of the entire length of the fish, is compressed above. The mouth is pro- 

 tractile, with numerous minute teeth in the jaws. The eyes are circular. 



The dorsal fin is situated upon the posterior half of the body. In the female, it is 

 nearly quadrangular ; in the male, the last rays are quite as high as the first, and the 

 extremities of the rays project beyond the connecting membrane. 



The pectorals are higher than the dorsal, and are rounded when expanded. 



The anal fin is higher than long ; in the female the rays of this fin gradually dimin- 

 ish in height posteriorly, while in the male the sixth and seventh rays are highest. 



The caudal fin is broad and rounded when expanded. 



The fin rays, in three specimens examined, were as follows : — 

 D. 16. P. 16. V. 6. A. 11. C. 19. 

 D. 15. P. 17. V. 6. A. 11. C. 20. 

 D. 14. P. 18. V. 6. A. 12. C. 18. 



Length, one to four inches. 



Remarks. This pretty species, called by Mitchill the " New York Gudgeon," and 

 known by our fishermen as the " Basse-fry," from the resemblance of the markings of 

 the female to those of the " Striped Basse," and called by boys the " Yellow-tail," 

 is common in brackish waters in the vicinity of Boston. The two sexes were formerly 

 considered distinct species. 



Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Ayres. New York, Mitchill, Dekay. 



