HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 159 



Description. Body elongated, compressed. Its depth across, at the base of the pec- 

 torals, less than one fifth the length of the fish. Length of the head more than one 

 third the length of the fish. Gill-covers very large. Opercula with numerous deeply- 

 marked striae, which commence just beneath a large green blotch, situated some 

 distance back of the eye and on a line with it, and pass obliquely backwards and 

 downwards to its lower edge ; subopercula and interopercula smooth ; preopercula 

 presenting an arborescent appearance of vessels upon their surface. Eyes circular, 

 moderate in size, furnished with a nictitating membrane. Gape of mouth very large ; 

 lower jaw shorter than the upper ; the middle of the upper jaw deeply emarginate. 

 Back slightly arched in front of the dorsal fin. 



The dorsal fin commences upon the anterior half of the body ; it is nearly as long 

 again as high, and is emarginated above ; at its base is a membranous prolongation or 

 sheath, by which it is almost entirely covered when unexpanded. The first three rays 

 of this fin are simple ; the first articulated rays are higher than the remainder, the 

 most posterior higher than the eight or nine preceding. 



The pectorals are situated just beneath the posterior inferior angle of the operculum ; 

 the first three rays are the longest ; the first ray is simple. Outside of this fin is an axil- 

 lary plate, more than two thirds the length of the fin ; a broad scaiy shield at the base 

 of the pectorals covers a portion of the inferior edge. 



The ventrals are very small, and fan-shaped ; their rays are multifid ; on each side of 

 these fins is an axillary plate. 



The anal fin is shorter than the dorsal, low, and slightly emarginated above; its an- 

 terior rays are highest ; the first ray is simple ; it is sheathed at its base, like the dorsal. 



The caudal fin is deeply forked ; the depth of the fin at its extremities, when ex- 

 panded, is equal to the height of the outer rays. 



The fin rays are as follows: — D. 19. P. 15, 16, or 17. V. 6. A. 20, 21, or 22. 

 C. 20|. 



Length, eight to fourteen inches. 



Remarks. This valuable species comes into Massachusetts Bay about the middle of 

 May, and leaves it in November ; and is taken in immense quantities for the various 

 uses to which it is appropriated, viz. bait for other fishes, manure, oil, and food. 



The fishermen who supply Boston market with codfish set their nets about the outer 

 islands in the harbor each night as they come up to the city, and examine them in the 

 morning as they go out for the day's fishing. Large numbers are thus taken, fre- 

 quently one hundred barrels at a haul, and such as are not used as bait are sold to the 

 poorer classes for food, at about six and a quarter cents per dozen. It is not very pal- 



