92 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



in the salt marshes along the sea-coast in company with that species and the different 

 killifish. 



Agassiz considers this species distinct from the occidentalis of Cuvier, and 

 has accordingly named it for Dekay, who had previously expressed doubts of its 

 identity. 



Maine, H. R. STOKER. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, DEKAY. 



FAMILY III. 



This family is very similar to that of the Percoids, and presents nearly all the 

 same combinations of exterior characters, especially the denticulations of the preo- 

 perculum, and the spines of the operculum ; but it has no teeth, either on the vomer 

 or palatines ; in general, the bones of the cranium and face are cavernous, and form 

 a snout more or less rounded. It often occurs in this family that the vertical fins 

 are rather scaly. Some of the genera have two dorsals, others but one. 



GENUS I. OTOLITHUS, Cuv. 



The bones of the anal fin are weak, and there are no barbels ; some of the 

 teeth terminate in elongated hooks, or are of the canine form. Their natatory 

 bladder has a horn on each side, projecting forwards. 



( To be Continued. ) 



