166 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



white. Pupils black ; irides a beautiful silver. All the dorsal fins are of a greenish- 

 blue color, and spotted, like the body. The ventrals, as well as the anals, are rather 

 darker than the abdomen. The caudal is spotted like the rest of the body. 



The color of this species is very variable. In the same stall in our market may fre- 

 quently be seen specimens with equally obvious spots over their entire surface ; or they 

 may be much more perceptible on the sides ; or they may be scarcely observed at all, 

 and the entire fish appear of a uniform gray ; or, again, of a beautiful bright-red ; 

 and I have seen a single specimen which was of a lemon-yellow. 



Description. The greatest depth of the body is nearly equal to one fifth its length ; 

 the length of the head is equal to one fourth the entire length of the fish ; the distance 

 of the extremity of the snout from a line on a plane with the anterior angle of the eye, 

 is nearly equal to one third the length of the head ; diameter of the eye equal to one 

 sixth the length of the head ; the distance between the eyes is nearly equal to one 

 third the length of the head. Nostrils double, the posterior lower and larger. The 

 upper jaw projects beyond the lower. In the lower jaw are two rows of teeth ; those 

 of the larger row, which are in the back part of the jaw, are larger and incurved ; while 

 those in the fore part of the jaw are much smaller. In the upper jaw are several rows 

 of card-like teeth, of which the outermost is much the largest. There are teeth on the 

 vomer and pharyngeal bones. A single barbel, about an inch long, upon the chin. 

 The lateral line, arising above the operculum, makes a very gradual slope upwards, and 

 as gradually curves downwards, until, opposite the anterior third of the second dorsal, 

 it commences a straight course, which is continued to the tail ; this line, which is 

 lighter-colored throughout its whole extent than the body, is wider and more conspicu- 

 ous after assuming a straight course. 



The first dorsal fin arises just back of the pectorals ; the second dorsal is much 

 longer, and the third is but little longer, than the first. 



The pectorals are rounded ; their length is nearly equal to half their height. 



The ventrals are situated in front of the pectorals ; their two outer rays are free, the 

 second being the longer. 



The first anal fin is about equal in length to the second dorsal ; the second anal is 

 much the shorter. 



The height of the caudal fin is about twice its length. 



The fin rays are as follows: — D. 14, 21, 21. P. 18. V. 6. A. 14, 19. C. 38. 

 In another specimen,— D. 15, 22, 19. P. 19. V. 6. A. 22, 19. C. 40. 



Length, two to eight feet. 



Remarks. The great value of the cod-fishery to the State of Massachusetts requires 



