FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 77 



This species varies considerably in its markings ; generally, 

 however, it is of a bluish black above, diversified with bands 

 and blotches, mottled with darker spots towards the abdomen. 

 Abdomen whitish. 



Body regularly arched from the tip of the snout to the ex- 

 tremity of the dorsal fin. Length of the head to the posterior 

 angle of the operculum, about one fourth the length of the body, 

 including the tail. Head naked, save a patch of small scales 

 upon the upper part of the operculum, and a vertical band of 

 similar scales upon the preoperculum, just back of the eyes. 

 Lips large and fleshy : jaivs with a single row of strong conical 

 teeth, those in front, largest; teeth in the pharynx. Nostrils 

 double, small, above and in front of the anterior angle of eye. 

 £'2/es circular ; pupils blue black; irides silvery, dusky after 

 death ; diameter of the eye equal to half the distance between 

 eyes. The lateral line arises just above the operculum, and 

 curves with the body. 



The Dorsal fin arises on a line with the pectorals ; the first 

 seventeen rays terminate in naked spines, at the base of which 

 are small floating, fleshy tentacula ; the posterior fleshy rays of 

 this fin are nearly as high again as the spinous rays ; fin ex- 

 tends to within a short distance of the tail. Base of the rays 

 with scales. 



The Pectorals commence just in front of the posterior angle 

 of the operculum ; of the color of the abdomen, rounded at the 

 extremity. Length to height as 1 to 3. 



The Ventrals are situated a short distance back of the pec- 

 torals ; above, dark colored ; beneath, white ; length about one 

 third their height. The outer ray spinous. 



The Anal fin arises opposite the sixteenth spinous ray of the 

 dorsal fin, and terminates on the same plane with that fin ; the 

 three first rays are spinous ; fin longer than high. 



The Caudal fin is even at its extremity ; length of the fin 

 one third greater than its height. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 28 ; P. 15 ; V. 6 ; A. 11 ; 

 C. 15. 



