HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 267 



covered with small, sharp, flexible spines ; their extremities are naked ; similar spines are 

 continued along the edge of the head to the base of the pectoral fins ; upon the anterior 

 edge of the pectorals are numerous very minute spinules. On the upper portion of the 

 pectorals, toward the lateral angle, are four or five longitudinal rows of very sharp, in- 

 curved, erectile spines, — some of the rows containing a dozen or more spines. A few 

 short spines are distributed upon the posterior inferior base of the pectorals, — and some 

 very minute asperities may be felt upon the ventrals. A row of prominent strong spines, — 

 ten, twelve, or more in number, — commence just back of the eyes, and extend along the 

 dorsum to the first dorsal fin. In the intervals between these, are numerous minute spi- 

 nules ; on each side of the central row is a perfectly regular series of small spines ex- 

 tending from the shoulder to the first dorsal fin. Two spines are situated upon each 

 shoulder, — the posterior of which is the longer. On each -side of the dorsum, passing 

 from the shoulders to the posterior portion of the body, and also exterior to . each shoul- 

 der, are seen lines resembling the lateral line, passing down to, and bifurcating upon the 

 pectorals, from which, small mucous ducts are distributed at regular intervals. Body be- 

 neath perfectly smooth, with the exception of a very few spines scarcely perceptible, un- 

 less by the touch, on each side of the commencement of the caudal fin, and a small patch 

 of equally minute spinules upon the middle of the tail, just in front of the termination of 

 the ventral fins. Mucous pores are scattered over the greater portion of the under sur- 

 face, appearing like black dots, in most instances distributed in a regular manner, al- 

 though a longitudinal line of these is seen toward the middle of the pectorals, and 

 another transverse one at the base of the ventrals. 



The dorsal fins are of equal length ; the first, a little the higher and connected at its 

 base to the tail by a membranous prolongation ; both dorsals rounded above. These fins 

 are separated from each other by a short interval. The posterior terminates near the 

 extremity of the tail. 



Length, two to five feet. 



Remarks. This species is common in Massachusetts Bay. 



Massachusetts, Stoker. Connecticut, Llnsley. New York, Mitchill. 



GENUS II. PASTESTACA. Cuv. 



Tail slender, without fins ; but armed with one or more long spines, which are dentated 

 on the edges. 



