98 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



marked with the irregularly distributed longitudinal lines. The 

 fishermen have an idea that the oil of this species, carefully 

 prepared, is a good application for ear-ache, and it is collected 

 by some for that purpose. 



The specimen before me is sixteen inches in length ; head 

 about one fourth the length of the body ; width of the head 

 in front of the eyes, equal to half of its length. Body above 

 green ; sides of a beautiful golden yellow, marked over their 

 whole extent with dark lateral lines about one third of an inch 

 in width, which, by their irregular union, produce imperfect re- 

 ticulations : beneath white. Snout obtuse : gape of the mouth 

 great. Lower jaw longer than the upper ; teeth in front of the 

 lower jaw small ; on sides large and pointed. Eyes moderate 

 in size ; pupils black, irides yellow. Nostrils double. Fins 

 greenish. The pectoral, anal and ventral fins become reddish 

 after death ; this is more marked in the larger specimens. 



The Dorsal fin from one to two lines longer than the anal. 



The Pectorals commence on a line with the sixteenth bran- 

 chial ray, (counting from the anterior portion of the head back- 

 wards. ) 



The Ventrals are situated two and a half inches in front of 

 the dorsal fin. 



The Anus is large ; two lines in front of the anal fin. 



The commencement of the Caudal fin is about two inches 

 back of the dorsal fin. 



The fin rays are : B. 17 ; D. 18 ; P. 13 ; V. 11 ; A. 17 ; 

 C. 19. 



Belone. Cuv. 



Generic characters. Head and body greatly elongated ; the 

 latter covered with ininute scales ; both jaws very much pro- 

 duced^ straight, narrow, and pointed ; armed with 7iumerous 

 S7nall teeth; the dorsal fiji placed over the anal fin. 



B. truncata. Le Sueur. The Gar Fish. 

 Joiu'iial Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. ii. p. 326. 



