HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 143 



more numerous above the lateral line ; frequently these blotches surround the outline 

 of the scales, or occupy only a portion of each scale. Upon the scaleless head these 

 spots are unbroken ; they are of a deeper color, and are generally circular. The head 

 is darker-colored above, than the back of tbis fish ; the greater portion of the gill-covers 

 is of a light silver-color. The pupils are black, the irides silvery. The inside of the 

 jaws and the edges of the tongue are dusky. The dorsal fin is rather darker-colored 

 than the back, and has one or two longitudinal rows of black blotches upon its base. 

 The adipose fin is dark brown. The pectorals are dark-colored above, lighter beneath. 

 The ventrals are dusky above, white beneath. The anal fin is white. The caudal fin 

 is of a dark-brown color. 



Description. Body elongated. The length of the head is less than one sixth the 

 length of the entire fish ; the greatest depth of the fish is equal to three ninths its length ; 

 its greatest width is less than one sixth its length. The eyes are small ; their diameter is 

 equal to one quarter of the distance between them. The nostrils are situated vertically 

 nearer to the eyes than to the extremity of the snout. The upper jaw is the longer, 

 and receives into a notch at its middle the prominent tip of the lower jaw. The lateral 

 line is nearly straight, and is situated just above the middle of the body. 



The dorsal fin arises upon the anterior half of the body ; its first rays are nearly 

 equal in height to the length of the fin. The adipose fin is situated a short distance 

 in front of the tail ; its length is equal to one third of its height. 



The pectorals commence in front of the posterior angle of the gill-covers ; their 

 length is equal to one fourth their height. 



The ventrals begin on a line opposite the posterior portion of the dorsal fin, and have 

 on their sides a large axillary scale. 



The anal fin is higher than long. The anus is large, and is edged by the extremities 

 of the surrounding scales. 



The fleshy portion of the tail extends considerably further forwards in its middle than 

 on the sides, leaving the rays on the sides much the longer ; the length of the central 

 caudal rays being only about one third the length of those upon the sides. 



The fin rays are as follows: — D. 12. P. 15. V. 9. A. 10. C. 19. 



Length, two to three feet. 



Remarks. This excellent fish is almost entirely driven from the waters of our State, 

 by the numerous dams and manufacturing establishments which have been erected 

 within a few years, preventing it from going up the rivers to deposit its spawn. About 

 sixty years since it was very abundant in Merrimack River ; so much so, that nine indi- 

 viduals have been taken in an afternoon by one person with a dip-net, and the usual 



