154 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



between the nostrils to the spine before the first dorsal fin. The eyes are large and cir- 

 cular ; the portion at the superior anterior angle of the eyes is translucent ; at the ante- 

 rior extremity of this space the nostrils are situated, and are obliquely oval, the posterior 

 being the larger. The jaws are about equal in length, armed with numerous very minute 

 teeth, which are also observed on the vomer and palatine bones. The tongue is rounded 

 and single. 



The lateral line commences just back of the blotch upon the opercula, and passes 

 (slightly obliquely) upwards opposite the posterior half of the pectorals, then courses 

 downwards to near the extremities of the pectorals, whence it proceeds in a straight 

 line to the extremity of the fleshy portion of the tail. The lateral line is smooth until 

 it assumes a straight course ; thence it is armed with horny plates, about forty-eight 

 in number ; these plates at first are scarcely observable ; they become gradually larger, 

 and are most prominent upon the fleshy portion of the tail ; they are most crowded at its 

 termination. These plates terminate posteriorly in an acute angle, rendering the line a 

 sharp ridge. 



Just in front of the first dorsal fin is a naked recumbent spine, which projects for- 

 wards. 



The rays of the first dorsal fin are so broken in my specimen that I am obliged to use 

 the words of Dekay respecting it, and also to copy this portion of his figure : " The 

 first dorsal fin is triangular. This fin is composed of eight spinous rays ; the first short, 

 slender, and closely attached to the second, which is shorter than the third ; the fourth 

 longest, and all received into a deep groove." 



The second dorsal arises on a line just before the termination of the pectoral fins ; its 

 rays are connected by a dense membrane; the first ray is shorter than the second; the 

 first half-dozen rays much the highest ; the posterior rays are very short. This fin shuts 

 into a fleshy groove when unexpanded ; the fin is continued to the fleshy portion of the 

 tail. 



The pectoral fins commence just beneath the posterior angle of the operculum ; they 

 are long, falciform, articulated. 



The ventral fins are situated just back of the pectorals ; when closed, they are received 

 into a concavity of the abdomen, to which they are attached by a membrane connected 

 to their inferior rays. 



The anal fin is of a similar form with the second dorsal, and, like that fin, shuts into 

 a groove at its base. Two strong spines are situated before this fin. 



The caudal fin is deeply forked ; two carinae are seen on each side of its base. 



Length, seven and a half inches. 



