270 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



CHIRONECTES L^EVIGATUS, Cuv. 

 The Smooth Mouse-fish. 

 (PLATE XVIII. FIG. 3.) 



Chironectes kzvigatus, Ccv., Mem. du Musfeum, HI. p. 423, pi. 16, fig. 1. 

 Le Chironecles uni, Chironectes laivigatus, Ccv. et VAL., xii. p. 399. 

 Chironectes Icevigatus, Smooth Chironectes, STOKEK, Report, p. 73. 



" " Smooth Mouse-fish, DEKAT, Report, p. 165, pi. 27, fig. 83. 



" " STOBEE, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 382. 



" " Synopsis, p. 130. 



Color. Brownish, with irregularly distributed lighter-colored blotches margined 

 with white. Besides these blotches, numerous yellowish spots are scattered over the 

 entire surface. The markings upon the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins form irregular 

 transverse bauds. Pectorals and ventrals marked with white dots. 



Description. Body smooth, much compressed laterally, tapering to the tail ; thickest 

 at pectorals. Greatest depth less than half its length. Between and above the eyes is 

 situated a dark-colored flexible ray, terminated by a slight filament. Behind this are 

 ten rays connected by a strong membrane, which is continued posteriorly; one of 

 these rays is quite large and stout; a filament is suspended from its extremity. 

 Minute cuticular processes are observed beneath, and along the edge of, the lower jaw ; 

 one exists at the base of the ray, between the eyes. Eyes small, circular. Jaws 

 armed with numerous minute teeth. Branchial orifice, a small aperture beneath the 

 pectorals. 



The dorsal fin, which is longer than high, commences on a line above the origin of 

 the pectorals, and is continued to the fleshy portion of the tail. 



The pectorals are stout, expanded, and digitated at their extremity. 



The ventrals are situated in front of the pectorals, and are digitated like those fins. 



The anal fin commences opposite the posterior portion of the dorsal ; it is higher 

 than long, and is rounded. 



The caudal fin is rounded. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 12. P. 10. V. 5. A. 6. C. 9. 



Length, from two to four inches. 



Remarks. The only specimens of this species I have known to be taken in this 

 State were sent me several years since from Holmes' s Hole, by the late Dr. Yale of 

 that place. 



Massachusetts, STORER. New York, DEKAY. South Carolina, CUVIER. 



