HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 145 



2d. In the vulgaris, the anal arises on a line with the termination of the second dor- 

 sal. In ours, it is several inches behind it. 



3d. In the vulgaris, the length of the tail, from the point of one lobe to that of the 

 other, is shorter than the length of the head. In ours, it is much longer. 



4th. In the vulgaris, the length of the pectorals is about one fifth the entire length. 

 In both the specimens here examined, their length was one seventh the entire fish. It, 

 however, differs in all other important respects from the brachypterus of the Mediterra- 

 nean, which, indeed, seems identical with the brevipinnis of the same waters ; and in this 

 respect, as also in the greater height of its second dorsal, from the Coretta of the West 

 Indies. 



This species, which is known along our coast as the Horse- Mucker el and Albicore, 

 comes into Massachusetts Bay about the middle of June, and remains until early in Oc- 

 tober. At the entrance of the Bay, they are met with in greater quantities than in any 

 other part of it ; thus, while a few stragglers are occasionally seen by the fishermen who 

 supply the Boston market daily with cod and haddock, it is not an uncommon circum- 

 stance to observe fifty or more in a day at Provincetown. When this fish first appears, 

 it is exceedingly poor, and is perfectly useless. By the first of September it becomes 

 quite fat, and is frequently taken at Provincetown for its oil. This is not extracted from 

 the liver, as in many other fishes, but is obtained from the head and belly by boiling. 

 Sometimes twenty gallons of oil are procured from a single specimen. It is rarely caught 

 with the hook, but is generally taken with the harpoon, in the same manner that whales 

 are captured. Within a few years past, this species seems to have become more shy and 

 distant. I learn from fishermen of veracity, that instances have occurred in which food 

 has been taken by them from the hand when held to them from the boat. It feeds upon 

 menhaden and other small species, which it drives near, and frequently upon, the shore. 

 The fishermen are oftentimes much annoyed by having their nets injured by them. Its 

 flesh is occasionally used for mackerel-bait, but not with us as an article of food, although 

 Dekay states that it is met with in the New York market every season. 



GENUS IV. CYBITJM, Cuv. 



An elongated body without a corselet ; and large, compressed, sharp teeth. The 

 palatines have only short and even teeth. 



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