70 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



depth of head, nearly equal to its length. Eyes moderate in 

 size ; irides yellow ; distance between eyes equal to one fifth 

 the length of head. Jaios equal, armed with long, strong, 

 pointed teeth ; in the back part of lower jaw, these teeth are 

 very large and blunted tubercles ; on each side of roof of 

 mouth, teeth are large and prominent ; in the middle of roof a 

 double ridge of tubercles similar to, but larger than those on 

 jaws, extending some distance back, looking like single teeth 

 divided in their centre. Tongue large, tleshy, fuliginous. 

 Lips loose, fleshy. 



The Dorsal fin, which is about the same height throughout 

 its whole extent, arises on a line with the base of pectorals, 

 and extends near to tail, appearing as if almost united to it, by 

 the prolongation of the membrane of fin. 



The length of Pectorals to their height as 3 to 5 ; rays very 

 large ; when expanded, these fins are rounded in their outline. 



The Anal fin arises immediately back of the anus, which is 

 very large, and terminates on a plane with the dorsal ; in 

 height, this fin is about one third that of dorsal. 



The Caudal fin in length less than one third its height. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 74 ; P. 20 ; A. 46 ; C. 16. 



Family XIII. 



PECTORALES PEDICULATI. 



LopHius. Lin. 



Generic characters. Head very large, depressed ; body 

 slender, smooth, without scales ; tivo dorsal fins separated ; 

 pectoral fins broad and thick, someiohat resembling feet ; ven- 

 tral fins small, placed considerably before the pectorals; teeth 

 difi'ering in size, numerous, conical, sharp, curving backwards ; 

 tongue broad ; bra7ichial cavities large, with only a small open- 

 ing behind the pectoral fins ; branchiostegous rays 6. 



