186 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The first dorsal fin, which is short and triangular, arises on a line a short distance 

 behind the origin of the pectorals. The second, third, and fourth rays of this fin are 

 the highest, and equal in their height to the length of the fin. The last rays are very 

 short. The distance between this fin and the second dorsal is equal to about one third 

 the length of the first dorsal. 



The second dorsal is more than three times as long as the first. A deep emargination 

 is observed between the nineteenth and twentieth rays, causing this fin to appear like 

 two fins. The highest rays of the posterior portion of this fin are much higher than 

 those of the anterior portion, but not as high as the rays of the first dorsal. The ex- 

 tremities of the rays in both fins are bifid. 



The pectorals are broad when expanded, slightly rounded ; their middle rays the 

 longest. The length of the pectorals is to their height as one to five. 



The ventrals arise just in front of the pectorals. 



The anal fin arises on a line just back of the origin of the second dorsal, and termi- 

 nates on the same plane as that fin. This fin is slightly higher than the dorsal ; be- 

 tween the twentieth and twenty-first rays is an emargination similar to that in the dorsal 

 fin, making this also to appear as two. 



The caudal fin is but very slightly concave at its posterior extremity. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 13, 41. P. 13. V. 7. A. 40. C. 23. 



Length, one and a half to two feet. 



Remarks. When my "Report" was published, in 1839, I stated that the whiting 

 was taken, not however in large quantities, in our Bay in the summer, upon the cod- 

 fishery ground. Since that period, this species has increased very perceptibly in our 

 waters. It is frequently caught in considerable numbers with the hook upon Crab 

 Ledge, a few miles from Boston Light-house, and has become at Provincetown a serious 

 inconvenience to the fishermen. Captain Atwood informs me, that, when the fishermen 

 at the latter place commence the mackerel fishery with nets, which usually takes place 

 about the 20th of May, the whiting are scarce, and few are caught ; by the 1st of June 

 they become more plenty ; and from the middle of June to the last of the fishery, which 

 closes about the 20th of July, they are exceedingly numerous, in all parts of the bay, 

 in all depths of water. In such quantities are they taken in the nets, that frequently 

 eight or ten hours are required for a man to clear his nets of them. At this season 

 of the year, so many of them are thrown from the boats upon the shore, that the Board 

 of Health are sometimes called upon to interfere, and to compel the fishermen to bury 

 them, from the fear of sickness being produced by their decomposition. While visiting 

 Pace Point, the easterly extremity of Cape Cod, in June, 1847, I saw quite a number of 



