HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 123 



the midst of which are situated two strong, incurved fangs. Minute teeth in the 

 pharynx. 



The lateral line arches backwards until opposite the posterior termination of the second 

 dorsal fin, whence it pursues a straight course to the extremities of the caudal rays. 



The triangular first dorsal fin commences just back of the origin of the pectorals ; its 

 third and fourth rays are longest. 



The second dorsal is elongated, and diminishes in height posteriorly ; it terminates on 

 a line with the anal fin. 



The pectoral fins arise just beneath the posterior angle of the operculum, and extend 

 beyond the middle of the first dorsal. 



The ventral fins commence posterior to the base of the pectorals, and terminate on a 

 line with the tips of those fins. 



The anal fin is short and quadrangular. 



The caudal fin is somewhat emarginated. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 8- 1 -28. P. 15. V. 6. A. 13. C. 17. Length 

 one to two feet. 



Remarks. Many years since, this species was found in abundance about Nantucket 

 and Martha's Vineyard, but of late it has disappeared. Dr. Yale wrote me, in October, 

 1 837, " The squeteague has deserted these waters ; there has not been one taken for 

 three or four years about here ; they left about the time that the blue-fish came." Hon. 

 Hezekiah Barnard, of Nantucket, in a letter to me, dated July, 1838, remarked, "The 

 squeteague or weak-fish have disappeared since the return of the blue-fish, who are their 

 avowed enemy. I have conversed with our fishermen ; they say they have scarce seen 

 one for six years." 



On the 23d of June, 1847, a squeteague was taken at Provincetown, the first known 

 to have been taken there for twenty years. 



Bay of Chaleur, Lieut. -Col. HAMILTON SMITH. Massachusetts, STOKER. New York, 

 MITCHILL, DEKAY. Caribbean Sea, CUVIER. 



GENUS II. UMBRINA, Cuv. 



Distinguished from the Scienoids by a cirrhus under the symphysis of the low- 

 er jaw. 



