HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 125 



The length of the pectorals is less than one third their height. 



The ventrals arise in front of the posterior half of the pectorals ; extremities multifid ; 

 first ray stoutest. 



The caudal is deeply emarginated; the upper lobe pointed, the lower broad and 

 rounded at extremities ; about as high as long. 



The fin rays are D. 10-26. P. 21. V. 5. A. 10. C. 18. 

 orD. 9-26. P. 19. V. 5. A. 10. C. 17. 



Length sixteen and a half inches. 



Remarks. In my "Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts," published in 1839, 1 admit- 

 ted this species under the name of Umbrina nebulosa. As Dekay, in his "Report on 

 the Fishes of New York," published in 1842, accepted the opinion of Cuvier, that it was 

 identical with the Perca alburnus of Linnaeus, I felt in a measure compelled to coincide ; 

 and consequently in my " Synopsis of the Fishes of North America " I introduced it as 

 the Umbrina alburnus. Convinced that our species is distinct from the Southern fish, 

 I have resumed my former opinion. 



This species must be very rare in our waters. The specimen belonging to the Natu- 

 ral History Society of this city was captured in a lobster-pot at the Boston light-house, 

 previous to the year 1833. In 1840, a specimen was taken at Lynn, and was referred 

 to by me in the Journal of the Natural History Society. In July, 1846, Captain 

 Atwood caught one at Provincetown ; and in November, 1847, a second specimen 

 at the same place. Both of these latter specimens were taken in nets, while fishing for 

 mackerel. These are all of which I have any knowledge. 



Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES, LINSLEY. New York, MITCHILL, 

 DEKAY. 



FAMILY IV. SPARIDJE. 



This family is characterized by the opercular pieces being unarmed ; the palate tooth- 

 less ; the jaws not protractile ; scales large. Branchial rays not exceeding six. 



GENUS I. SARGUS, Cuv. 



Trenchant incisors in front of the jaws, almost similar to those of man ; molars 

 rounded. 



