HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 189 



the termination of that fin ; the first ten or eleven rays of this fin are the longest ; 

 they diminish in size towards the tail ; this fin is not as high as the opposite dorsal. 



The caudal fin is long ; its rays are nearly even at its extremity ; it is but very 

 slightly convex. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 10, 54. P. 17. V. 2. A. 48. C. 20. 



Length, one to three feet. 



Remarks. This species is taken in large numbers, between the first of June and the 

 first of September, on muddy bottoms, between Cape Ann and Boston Light-house. In 

 some seasons they are brought to market in October also. They are generally taken in 

 the night with the hook, although they will sometimes take the bait in a cloudy day. 

 Occasionally two thousand pounds' weight, varying in size from three to ten pounds 

 or more, are taken in a single night by one man, where scarcely an individual was cap- 

 tured during the previous day. It sells for about half the price of cod, when fresh. It 

 is a good fish fried and boiled, and is also used for chowder ; for the latter purpose, it 

 has perhaps no superior. It is also a valuable fish when salted. 



Maine, Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Linsley. New York, Mitchill, 

 Dekay. 



Phycis filamentosus, Storer. 



The Squirrel-Hake. 



(Plate XXIX. Fig. 4.) 



Color. The upper part of the body is of a reddish-brown color. The sides are 

 lighter and tinged with orange. The abdomen is of a pure white ; the throat is also 

 white. The anal fin is margined with white. Pupil black, irides silvery. 



Description. Length of head one fifth that of the body, and rather more than the 

 greatest depth of the fish. Depth at the base of the pectorals one seventh, at anus ex- 

 clusive of dorsal fin one fifth, at posterior extremities of dorsal fin one twenty-first 

 of the entire length. Top of head much depressed throughout its whole extent. 

 Snout rounded and not very prominent. Eyes moderate ; their diameter equal to 

 three quarters the distance between them. Upper jaw projecting far beyond the 

 lower. Teeth numerous, minute, incurved. The lateral line commences just above 

 the operculum, and curves with the body to the tail. Scales very large, smaller upon 

 the head. 



The first dorsal fin is triangular ; the third ray is filamentous, and from three to five 

 times the length of the fin. 



The second dorsal arises directly back of the first ; its first few rays are shortest, the 



