HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 69 



The lateral line commences just beneath the occipital spine, and pursues nearly a 

 straight course to the caudal fin. 



The first dorsal arises between the posterior projections of the occiput ; the first 

 spinous ray is serrated throughout its entire anterior portion ; the second is serrated only 

 on its right side ; the third only on its left ; the remaining rays are smooth ; the third 

 and fourth rays are longest. Fin one half as high as long. 



The second dorsal rather more than a third as long as the first dorsal ; its rays are 

 bifid and slightly projecting at their extremities. 



The pectorals when expanded are equal in their depth to one half their length. 



Anterior to and beneath the pectorals are three fleshy appendages, tapering at their 

 extremities, the anterior two thirds the height of the posterior. 



The longest rays of the ventrals are nearly two thirds as long as the pectorals ; the 

 anterior ray is short and spinous, the other rays are multifid at their extremities. 



The anal fin commences on a line just back of the second dorsal, and terminates 

 opposite the extremity of that fin. 



Caudal fin deeply emarginated ; the outer rays projecting beyond the others. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 10 - 13. P. 13. V. 6. A. 12. C. 12*. 



1 have seen but one specimen of this species, which was taken in Massachusetts Bay. 



Massachusetts, STOKER. 



In the " Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History," Vol. II. p. 77, 1 

 stated that the Prionotus punctatus had been found in our waters. Thinking it possible 

 I may have been mistaken, and that the specimen belonging to the Boston Society 

 of Natural History was not taken in Massachusetts Bay, as it was said to have been, 

 I prefer not to admit it in this communication. 



GENUS II. DACTYLOPTERUS, LACP. 



The rays under the pectorals are numerous and large ; and instead of being free, 

 as in the preceding genera, they are united by a membrane into a supernumerary fin, 

 larger than the fish itself, and which supports it in the air for some length of time. 

 The muzzle, which is very short, appears to be cleft like the lips of a hare ; the 

 mouth is situated beneath ; there are, in the jaws only, certain rounded teeth, arranged 

 like pavement; the head is flat, rectangular, and granulated ; the preoperculum is 

 terminated by a long and strong spine. All the scales are carinated. 



