8 > FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The first Dorsal fin is two thirds the length of the head : 

 the third and fourth rays are the longest. 



The first ray of the second Dorsal is spinous ; the height of 

 this fin is equal to more than half its length. 



The Pectoral fins arise beneath and behind the inferior spine 

 of the operculum ; their length to their height is as 1 to 4. 



The flesh-colored Ventrals arise just back of pectorals : their 

 first ray is spinous. These fins are rather longer than pectorals. 



The Anal fin arises opposite the middle of the second dorsal ; 

 its first three rays are spinous : this fin is one third shorter 

 than first dorsal : its length to height is as 1 to 3. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 9. 1-12 ; P. 18 ; V. 1-4 ; 

 A. 3-11 ; C. 18. 



L. mucronatus. Cuv. The small American Basse. 

 Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. t. ii. p. 86. 



In the spring and autumn, this species is brought to Boston 

 market, from the mouths of the neighboring rivers and the 

 ponds to which the sea has access. It is commonly called 

 white perch. Its usual weight is about half a pound. The 

 largest specimen I have met with, was procured in Q,uincy 

 market, Dec. 22, 1837; it measured 15 inches in length, and 

 weighed 1 3-4 pound, and its stomach contained a specimen of 

 the Leuciscus crysoleucas more than five inches in length. 



The color is a silvery gray : in very large specimens, all the 

 upper part of the body, as well as the head and fins, are of a 

 rusty black. Length of head, compared to that of body, 

 as 1 to 4 : depth of body across base of pectorals, four inches 

 and two lines. Upper jaio protractile : very fine teeth, thickly 

 set in both jaws. Eyes large, pupils black, irides silvery. Nos- 

 trils double, posterior nearly as large again as the anterior. 

 Operculum, preoperculum and maxillary bones covered with 

 scales. Head back of, and between eyes, scaly. The space 

 between nostrils, and in front of eyes to maxillary bones, des- 

 titute of scales. Preoperculum, denticulated behind and 



