184 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



length of the head. The gape of the mouth is large. The upper jaw is the longer ; 

 a single row of sharp teeth in each jaw. The nostrils, situated just anterior to the eye, 

 are large. The eyes are horizontally oblong ; their longest diameter is equal to one 

 fourth the length of the head. On each side of the snout, just anterior to the nostril, is 

 a barbule half the length of the head ; between these two, at the anterior inferior angle 

 of the snout, is a third, much smaller ; from the chin hangs another barbule, of about 

 the same length as the third. 



The uninterrupted lateral line arises at the posterior superior angle of the operculum, 

 and passes obliquely downwards to near the centre of the fish, when it pursues a 

 straight course to the tail. 



The first dorsal fin has one free ray, which is three fourths the length of the head ; 

 the remainder of the fin consists of minute hair-like rays situated in a groove of the 

 length of the first ray, in which, when unexpanded, they are all concealed. Directly 

 back of this groove the second dorsal commences, which is continued to the fleshy por- 

 tion of the tail, terminating just anterior to the caudal rays ; it is of about the same 

 height throughout. 



The vent is upon the anterior half of the body. 



The anal fin commences directly back of this, and terminates on a line opposite the 

 second dorsal ; this fin is not as high as the dorsal. 



The ventral fin has the first two rays free ; the second ray is the longest. 



The pectoral fins are three fourths as high as the length of the head, and are rounded 

 posteriorly. 



The caudal fin is about as long as the height of the pectorals, and tapers to a point. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 53. P. 16. A. 48. C. 24. 



Length, six inches. 



Remarks. The specimen here described was one of two taken at Long Point, Prov- 

 incetown, by Mr. Heman M. Smith, of that place. They had apparently been thrown 

 ashore but a short time previously, being perfectly fresh. Since these were found, 

 Captain Atwood has noticed several specimens in the stomachs and mouths of codfish 

 caught in Massachusetts Bay during the winter. 



