HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 217 



Description. Body elongated, slightly compressed. Head pointed at snout. The 

 length of the head, from the extremity of the snout to the end of the gill-covers, 

 is more than one fifth the length of the entire fish. The lower jaw projects beyond 

 the upper, and terminates in a conical tip. From the anterior inferior portion of 

 the operculum, a few slight striae pass obliquely upwards, backwards, and downwards 

 to its posterior margin. The nostrils are double, and are situated half-way between 

 the eyes and the snout. The eyes are circular ; the diameter of the eye is equal 

 to one ninth the length of the head. 



The lateral line is straight and indented. 



The very delicate dorsal fin commences on a line with the end of the pectorals, 

 and terminates at the fleshy base of the caudal fin. This fin is rather highest 

 just posterior to its centre. When unexpanded, it is received into a groove at its 

 base. 



The pectorals are one third the length of the head. From their base a slight 

 membrane extends posteriorly on each side of the abdomen. 



The anal fin, which is about as high as the dorsal fin and terminates posteriorly 

 on a line with it, is just one third the length of the entire body. 



The caudal fin is forked. 



The fin rays are as follows:— D. 61. P. 13. A. 28. C. 14. 



Length, six to twelve inches. 



Remarks. This species, which is generally known among fishermen as the " Sand- 

 Eel," is found plentifully at Holmes's Hole, and it oftentimes collects at Provincetown 

 in myriads. In June, 1847, while on a visit at this latter place, I observed the shores 

 were lined with these fishes, which were left by the refluent tide. Captain Atwood 

 assured me that the waters around Longpoint were at times so densely crowded 

 with them, as to seem literally alive. In a letter to me, dated June 18th, 1847, he 

 says, while speaking of this species : " Last Friday night they ran ashore in such 

 quantities, that they covered the ground from one to two inches deep, and when' the 

 water covered the flats the whole bottom looked like an immense sheet of silver." 



When thus situated they are readily devoured by their enemies, among whom are 

 the cuttle-fish. 



Banks of Newfoundland, H. R. Storer. Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, 

 Ayres, Linsley. New York, Mitchill, Dekay. 



