12 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



ored margin. Just above t?iis spot, arises the lateral line, which 

 assumes the curve of the back, and is lost at the base of the 

 tail. The back curves very gradually as far as the posterior 

 extremity of the dorsal fin, then abruptly gives place to the 

 fleshy portion of the tail. All the fins more or less colored 

 with black. Length of the pectoral fins nearly two inches. 

 Anus large, corrugated — two lines anterior to the anal fin. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 10-12; P. 13; V. 1-5; A. 

 3-10; C. 17. 



I am induced to believe, from the remarks of several anglers 

 with whom I have conversed and corresponded, that another 

 species of Pomotis inhabits our waters. 



Family II. 



BUCC^ LORICATE. 



Prionotus. Lacep. 



Generic characters. Head nearly square^ covered ivith bony 

 plates : gill-cover and shoulder-plate ending in a spine directed 

 backwards : body elongated, nearly round : two dorsal fins, 

 the rays of the first, spinous ; those of the second, flexible : 

 teeth in jaws, in front of vomer, and npoti palatine bones, 

 pointed, small arid numerous : gill-opening large : three de- 

 tached rays at the base of each pectoral fin. 



P. strigatus. Cuv. Sea Robin. Gurnard. Grunter. 



Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. N. Y. p. 430 et fig. 

 Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat des Poiss. t. iv., p. 86. 



This species which is very well described, and tolerably figur- 

 ed by Mitchell as the Trigla lineata, is frequently taken in 

 the vicinity of Holmes Hole, while fishing for other species^ 

 but is not used. 



A beautiful specimen received from Dr. Yale enables me to 

 offer the following description : 



