FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 149 



A. mollis. Mitchell. The New York Sole. 



The only specimen I have seen of this species was sent me 

 by Dr. Yale, who writes me, it was taken Dec. 16, 1837, at 

 Tashmou Pond, abont a mile from the village of Holmes Hole. 

 This pond is separated from the sea by a narrow beach, which 

 is dry a portion of the year. It mnst be very rare at Holmes 

 Hole, as Dr. Yale had never seen another specimen, although he 

 had resided years there. The doctor remarks that, "it is said 

 by common report to be very poisonous when eaten, but I do 

 not knoio it to be such." Mitchell says, '•' it is delicate eating." 

 Entire length, six inches ; length of the body, exclusive of 

 the tail, four inches six lines ; depth of the body two inches 

 back of the snout, three inches, exclusive of the dorsal and 

 anal fins. Form, oval. Eyes on the right side. Color of the 

 right side, dark brown, marked transversly with rather indis- 

 tinct irregular black bands ; left side white, with circular dark 

 brown blotches, scattered over its entire surface, also in a less 

 marked manner upon the fins. Length of the head nine lines ; 

 et/es small, nearly circular, protuberant, and placed directly 

 over each other ; mouth small, and without teeth ; on the left 

 side, the mouth is scarcely discernible. Nostrils, large. Scales 

 on the body quite small. On the lov/er anterior portion of the 

 operculum, and on the back, just above the eyes, the scales are 

 larger, and longest, at the base of the first two inches of the 

 dorsal fin on the right side of the body. The left side of the 

 head is covered with soft tubercles, which are continued along 

 an inch or more of the base of the dorsal fin. The lateral line 

 commences just above the operculum, and is continued in a 

 straight course to the base of the caudal rays. 



The Dorsal fin commences at the very anterior extremity of 

 the back, which projects slightly beyond the upper jaw, and is 

 continued to the tail, but is not united with it. 



There are no Pectoral fins. 



The Ventrals are situated just in front of the anal fin. 



