FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 35 



Umbrina. Cuv. 



Generic characters. The Umbrina, besides the characters 

 common to the Scicena, has a barbule, or cii'rhus, at the angle of 

 the loioer jaiD ; the spines of the aiial fin strong and sharp; 

 the teeth smaller and inore 7iU7nerous. 



U. nebulosa. Mitchell. The King Fish. 

 Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. p. 408. 



A single specimen of this species, which Mitchell states to 

 grow to a larger size than a foot and a half, has been met with 

 eight inches and a half in length, taken in a lobster pot at the 

 Boston light-house. From this specimen, which has belonged 

 to the cabinet of the ••' Boston Society of Natural History" for 

 several years, and is at the present moment in a state of fine 

 preservation, I have drawn up the following description. 



Body elongated, slightly arched over pectorals, gradually 

 tapering towards tail, of a dull gray color, with silvery reflec- 

 tions upon sides, ornamented with irregularly disposed dark 

 bars ; some, passing obliquely forwards from the dorsal fin ; 

 others, passing obliquely backwards from nape of neck ; and 

 one broader one, pursues a straight course backwards through 

 the middle of the body, from extremity of pectorals to the tail. 

 Body beneath, yellowish. 



Length of head two inches, covered with scales smaller 

 than those upon body : head slightly flattened between eyes ; 

 rounded upon occiput : somewhat depressed back of snout. 

 Snout blunted, projecting two lines beyond upper jaw. Fyes 

 of moderate size : their diameter equal to one half the distance 

 between eyes. Nostrils directly in front of eyes : the poste- 

 rior larger, situated obliquely beneath, and in front, of anterior 

 inferior angle of eye : at the anterior inferior angle of this ori- 

 fice, is situated the anterior nostril, which is very small and 

 circular. Mouth of moderate size : lips fleshy : jaws filled 

 with numerous, very small teeth : upper jaw the longer : a 



