FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 25 



ing with the body, terminates at the base of the caudal rays. 

 A strong spinous tubercle arises from humeral bone. 



The first rays of the first Dorsal are longest ; the seventh, 

 eighth and ninth rays are next in length : in other words, this 

 fin at first sight appears as if divided, or as two fins. Delicate 

 tentaculae are suspended from the extremities of the rays of this 

 fin. 



Just back of the first Dorsal arises the second, appearing as 

 if connected, and hence described by Mitchell as one Jin ; 

 height of this fin to its length as one to three. 



The Pectorals are very large, when expanded resembling a 

 wing ; the rays are uncommonly distinct. These fins arise 

 from the entire lower edge of the branchial aperture : height to 

 length as four to two and a half 



The Ventrals arise just back of the first rays of the pecto- 

 rals ; they are composed of three rays — the first ray shorter 

 than the second, and exceedingly stout. 



The Anus is situated equally distant from the ventral and 

 anal fins. 



The Anal fin commences and terminates on the same plane 

 with the second dorsal : the rays of this fin are deeply divided 

 at their extremities : length of fin to its height as three and a 

 half to one and a half. 



Length of Caudal fin to its height as two to three : — the 

 color of rays similar to that of the body. The fin rays are as 

 follows : D. 16, 13 ; P. 18 ; V. 3 ; A. 15 ; C. 19. 



Sebastes. Cuv. 



Generic characters. Body oblong, compressed, covered loith 

 scales ; all the parts of the head also covered loith scales ; eyes 

 large ; preoperculum and operculum ending in three or more 

 spines ; hranchiostegous rays 7 ; teeth small, nutnerous, equal 

 in size, placed on both jaws, the vomer and palatine bones ; a 

 single dorsal fin, part spinous, part flexible ; inferior rays of 

 the pectoral fin simple. 



4 



