HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 263 



GENUS IV. ZOARCES, Cuv. 



Body elongated, and covered with a mucous secretion, in which are imbedded very 

 small scales. Dorsal, anal, and caudal united ; no spinous rays in the dorsal, except 

 on its posterior part. Ventrals jugular, small. Vent with a tubercle. Teeth conical, 

 in two or three rows in front, in a single row on the sides ; none on the palate or 

 tongue. Branchial rays, six. 



ZOAECES ANGUILLARIS, StOTCT. 



The Eel-shaped Blenny. 

 (PLATE XVII. FIG. 4.) 



Blennius anguillaris, PECK, Mem. Amcr. Acad., n. pt. 2, p. 46, fig. 



Blennius labrosus, Large-lipped Blenny, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 375, pi. 1, fig. 7. 



Le Zoarces a grosses tevres, Zoarces labrosus, Cuv. et VAL., xi. p. 466, pi. 342. 



Zoarces anyuiilaris, Eel-shaped Blenny, STOHEK, Report, p. 66. 



" " ITiick-lipped Eel-pout, DEKAT, Report, p. 155, pi. 16, fig. 45. 



" Eel-shaped Blenny, STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 375. 

 " " " " " Synopsis, p. 123. 



" H. R. STOEEK, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vi. p. 263. 



Color. The living fish is of a light salmon-color, mottled with irregular olive 

 blotches, darker towards the head. The front and top of the head are of a light brown ; 

 two indistinct oblique bands upon the operculum, one back, the other in front, of the 

 eye, on each side of the head. Body beneath white ; neck flesh-colored. The dorsal 

 fin is almost white, salmon-colored at its edge. The pectorals are of a true salmon- 

 color, lighter at their origin. The ventrals are salmon-colored. The anal fin is flesh- 

 colored at its base, salmon-colored at its edge, with seven distinct white blotches in its 

 length. The dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins are perfectly transparent. 



In the dead specimen the colors are deeper ; the general tint is a yellowish-brown 

 or fawn color, sprinkled with darker patches. The front and top of the head are 

 livid ; the gill-covers are lighter, but rather dull. The dorsal and anal fins are 

 greenish tinged with yellow. 



Description. Body very much elongated, tapering to a point, compressed posteriorly. 

 Its entire surface, with the exception of the head, exhibits innumerable minute cup- 

 like depressions. Head large, compressed at its sides, broad and flat above as far as the 

 angle of the eyes, convex at forehead. Cheeks protuberant. Lips exceedingly fleshy ; 

 the upper lip is very large, projecting beyond the lower, and in some individuals even 

 an inch beyond it ; the under lip is less fleshy than the upper, and is suspended at its 

 angles like those of a mastiff. The upper jaw slightly projects beyond the lower. 



