93 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



rounded at the summit, truncated at their base, exhibiting nu- 

 merous striae ; at the base of each scale, a fleshy, dark-colored 

 membrane exists, which, projecting as far as the apex of the 

 preceding scale, gives the appearance of indistinct oblique 

 bands across the fish ; scales smaller upon the back, and 

 smallest upon the throat. The lateral line commences at the 

 superior angle of the operculum, and curving downwards nine 

 scales, pursues nearly a straight course to the tail. The lateral 

 line is composed of fifty-one scales ; nine scales are situated 

 above the latcnal line in an oblique line from the origin of the 

 dorsal fin, and six below the lateral line. 



The Dorsal fin arises on the anterior half of the body ; is 

 nearly as high again as long ; the first ray is one fourth the 

 height of the second ; the general color of the fin like the back ; 

 the firmest portion of the rays, reddish. 



The Pectorals arise beneath, and one line anterior to the 

 posterior angle of the operculum ; above, brownish ; beneath, 

 lighter, rounded at their extremities ; length to height as 1 to 4. 



The Ventrals are situated beneath the dorsal ; above, color 

 of the abdomen ; shorter than the pectorals. 



The Anal arises opposite a line about three quarters of an 

 inch back of the dorsal fin, and is higher than long. The first 

 ray bears the same proportion to the length of the second, as 

 the first ray of the dorsal to the second ray of that fin. 



The Caudal fin is large ; height of the rays in the middle of 

 the fin, one inch ; width at the extremities, when expanded, 

 three inches. 



The number of the fin rays is as follows : D. 10 ; P. 17 ; 

 V. 8 ; A. 10 ; C. 22. 



L. atronasus. Mitchell. The brook Minnow. 

 Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. p. 460. 



This beautiful little species is seen in our brooks in large 

 numbers. From a specimen an inch and six lines in length, I 

 draw up the following description : Greatest depth, four lines. 



