236 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



year 1836 I read a description of it to said Society, which was published in the 

 first volume of their Journal, and afterwards in my " Report upon the Fishes of 

 Massachusetts." This description I am again here compelled to present. The length 

 of the specimen, in its dried state, is fourteen inches. From the contracted and 

 wrinkled appearance of the ligamentary portion at the base of the tail, it must vary 

 considerably from the size of the living fish. 

 Massachusetts, Storer. 



CLASS II. CARTILAGINOUS FISHES. 



Skeleton cartilaginous. Cranium divided by indistinct sutures. Gills generally 

 fixed ; the membrane without rays. Maxillary and intermaxillary bones either want- 

 ing or rudimentary ; the palatines or vomer alone supplying their place. 



ORDER I. ELEUTHEROPOMI. 



Gills pectinated, free, as in ordinary fishes, with one large external aperture on 

 each side, furnished with a strong opercle ; without rays. Upper jaw formed by 

 the palatine bone, firmly united to the maxillary ; intermaxillary rudimentary. 



FAMILY XXVII. STURIONID^E. 



The genera of this family approach to ordinary fishes, by their gills being at- 

 tached only at one extremity. They have but one branchial aperture, which is 

 very open ; they have but one operculum, and are without rays to the membrane 

 of the gills. 



GENUS ACIPENSER, Linn. 



Body elongated and angular, defended by indurated plates and spines, arranged 

 in longitudinal rows ; snout pointed, conical ; mouth placed on the under side of the 

 head, tubular, and without teeth. 



