FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 105 



up the river, is about the first of June. The fishermen say 

 the young salmon are never seen on their return. 



The price of this species of late years in our market, varies 

 exceedingly, from $2 to 20 cents per pound. The largest 

 specimen, so far as I can learn, that has been sold in Boston 

 market, weighed 34 pounds ; and the greatest price ever re- 

 ceived for one fish, in the same market, was $50. 



The following description is drawn up from a specimen 

 thirty inches in length, and weighing eighteen pounds : Its 

 width across, from the commencement of the dorsal fin, is eight 

 inches ; its greatest depth three inches and a half. Of a beau- 

 tiful, brilliant, bluish silver color above : lighter upon the sides; 

 white beneath ; black blotches upon the sides, much, more nu- 

 merous above the lateral line, for the most part surrounding the 

 outline of the scales, leaving the color of the bodies unchanged ; 

 the spots upon the scalelcss head are unbroken, and of a deeper 

 color. Length of the head equal to one fifth the length of the 

 fish. Head naked, sloping, darker colored above than the 

 back of the specimen. Gill-covers light silver colored. Eyes 

 small ; pupils black ; irides silvery. Diameter of the eye equal 

 to one quarter the distance between the eyes. Nosttils placed 

 vertically, much nearer the eyes than the extremity of the 

 snout. Upper jaw the longer, receiving into a notch, at its 

 middle, the prominent tip of the lower jaw ; both jaws armed 

 with a few sharp incurved teeth, as well as the palatine bones, 

 vomer and tongue. Inside of the jaws and edges of the tongue, 

 dusky. The lateral line is nearly straight. 



The first Dorsal fin commences upon the anterior half of the 

 body ; its first rays are equal in height to the length of the fin. Fin 

 rather darker colored than the back, and with one or two longi- 

 tudinal rows of black blotches upon its base. The aaipose fin 

 is dark brown, situated a short distance in fron* of the tail ; 

 its length is equal to one third of its height. 



The Pectorals arise in front of the posterior angle of the 

 gill-covers ; above they are dark colored ; beneath lighter ; 

 length equal to one fourth their height. 



The Ventrals are above dusky ,• beneath white ; they begin 

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