HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



207 



the body are quite small ; on the lower anterior portion of the operculum, on the 

 back just above the eyes, and on the fin-rays, they are larger. The left side is also 

 scaly. The left side of the head is covered with soft filaments, which are continued 

 along the base of the dorsal fin for an inch or more. 



The lateral line commences just above the operculum, and is continued in a straight 

 course to the base of the caudal rays. 



The dorsal fin commences at the very anterior extremity of the back, which 

 projects slightly beyond the upper jaw, and is continued to the tail, but not united 

 to it. 



The ventrals are situated just in front of the anal fin. 



The anal fin commences in front of the posterior angle of the operculum, and ter- 

 minates opposite the dorsal fin. 



The caudal fin is nearly one third longer than its width at the base. 



The rays of each fin are covered by scales on both sides. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 55. V. 4. A. 38. C. 13. In a second speci- 

 men they were as follows: — D. 52. V. 4. A. 40. C. 16. 



Length, six inches. 



Remarks. Although Dr. Dekay speaks of this species as being common in the waters 

 of New York, it must rarely be found in Massachusetts. In December, 1837, Dr. Yale, 

 of Holmes's Hole, sent me a specimen which had been just taken in Tashmou Pond, 

 about a mile from the village of Holmes's Hole. This pond is separated from the sea 

 by a narrow beach, which is dry a portion of the year. Although Dr. Yale had resided 

 many years at Holmes's Hole, and had a great fondness for natural history, he had 

 never seen another specimen of this fish. In April, 1840, I received a specimen taken 

 at Nahant. In January, 1847, Professor Agassiz procured two specimens in Boston 

 market, which had been taken near Boston, in Charles River. Both Mitchill and 

 Dekay consider this a very delicate fish for the table. 



Massachusetts, north of Cape Cod, Storer. Nantucket to Carolina, Dekay. 



FAMILY XX. CYCLOPTEPJDyE. 



Ventrals suspended all around the pelvis, and united by a single membrane, form- 

 ing an oval and concave disk, which the fish employs as a sucker to fix itself to the 

 rocks. Mouth broad, furnished at the jaws and pharyngeals with small pointed 

 teeth ; opercula small. Branchial rays six. Pectorals very ample, and almost uniting 

 under the throat, as it were to embrace the disk of the ventrals. 



