FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 69 



In the stomach of this fish I found specimens of the follow- 

 ing shells, viz. : Buccinum undatum, Fusiis corneus, and 

 pleurotomariiis ; Turbo injiatus, Natica triseriata, and con- 

 solidata ; Bulla tritacea, and Tellina sordida. 



Anarrhichas. Lin. 



Generic characters. Head smooth, rounded in form, muz- 

 zle obtuse ; body elongated, covered with minute scales ; dorsal 

 and anal fins long, distinct from the caudal ; no ventral fins : 

 teeth of tiDO kinds ; those in front elongated, curved, pointed ; 

 the others o?i the vomer, as also o?i the jaws, truncated, or 

 slightly rounded : branchiostegous rays 6. 



A. lupus. L. The Wolf Fish. Cat Fish. 



Pennant's British Zoology, vol. iii. p. 133, et fig. 



Strack's plates, 21, fig. 2. 



Mc Murtrie's Cuv. vol. ii. p. 177. 



Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. i., p. 247, et fig. 



Richardson's Fauna, p. 95. 



This ferocious species is captured about rocky ledges at all 

 seasons of the year, although greater numbers are taken in 

 winter than at any other time. The cusk rocks, between 

 Boston and Cape Ann, are a favorite resort of this fish. Its 

 hideous appearance renders it an object of such disgust, that it 

 is not unfrequently thrown away as soon as caught. By many 

 of our fishermen, however, it is regarded as excellent food, and 

 thought to be scarcely inferior to that of any of our fishes ; 

 specimens weighing from five to ten pounds are very delicate 

 when fried or boiled. I have had this fish upon my table : 

 few fish are superior to it when broiled. 



My description is drawn up from a specimen three feet in 

 length, weighing fifteen pounds. Entire body covered with a 

 slimy secretion. Color, a purplish brown, with transverse 

 nearly black bars, passing from abdomen high up on the dorsal 

 fin; beneath, lighter. Head large, flattened on top, blunt at 

 snout. Length of head to entire length of body, as 10 to 36 ; 



