HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 181 



anal has a longitudinal white line at its base, and, as well as the first dorsal, is whitish 

 at its top. The lateral line is grayish. 



Description. Body oblong, subcompressed. Slightly arched above to the origin of 

 the first dorsal fin. Its greatest depth about equal to the length of the head. The 

 head is more than one fourth as long as the body, flattened above, somewhat pointed 

 at the snout when the jaws are closed. The eyes are large ; their diameter is less 

 than half the distance between them. The gape of the mouth is quite large ; the 

 tongue is large, fleshy, fuliginous. The lower jaw is longer than the upper; minute 

 teeth in both jaws ; a single row only in the lower. The posterior nostril the larger. 

 A line of mucous pores is situated on both maxillary bones, and upon the lower por- 

 tion of the opercula. The division between the gill-covers is scarcely distinguishable 

 when first examined ; the posterior angle of the operculum is obtuse. 



The lateral line, commencing above the posterior angle of the operculum and slightly 

 curving over the pectorals to their extremity, pursues a straight course to the middle of 

 the caudal rays. 



The first dorsal fin is triangular, and arises opposite the middle of the pectorals. 



The second dorsal is more than as long again as the first ; the rays gradually diminish 

 in height to the last, which is very short. 



The third dorsal is three times as long as high, and terminates opposite the second 

 anal. 



The pectorals arise just beneath the posterior angle of the operculum ; their depth at 

 their base is equal to one third their height. 



The ventrals are just in front of the origin of the pectorals ; their second and third 

 rays are longest. 



The first anal fin arises opposite the commencement of the second dorsal, and termi- 

 nates on a line opposite the termination of that fin. 



The second anal is about half the height of the first ; the first two rays are short and 

 simple. 



The caudal fin is large, strong, forked ; the length of the outer rays is equal to the 

 distance between the extremities of the fin when expanded. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 14, 22, 21. P. 20. V. 6. A. 22, 21. C. 24|. 



Length, one to three feet. 



Remarks. Immense numbers of this species are found in our waters in spring and 

 autumn. A fleet of twenty or thirty boats frequently go off to Jeffries' Ledge, east of 

 Cape Ann, in the fall of the year, and, having fastened their craft together, and thrown 

 overboard a quantity of bait to entice the fish, capture in a single night from thirty to 



