156 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



four and a half inches ; the third ray is about half an inch long ; the remaining five 

 rays are small, naked spines. 



The second dorsal fin, which appears to be almost a continuation of the first dorsal fin, 

 is continued nearly to the tail. The first ray is spinous ; the second ray is nearly an inch 

 long ; the fifteen posterior rays are of equal height. 



The pectoral fins are situated directly on a line with the base of the first dorsal. 



The ventral fins are an inch and five eighths in length. Anterior to the anal fin are 

 two small spines. The first ray of the anal fin is spinous ; the first four membranous 

 rays are longer than the remainder ; the first membranous ray is half an inch long ; the 

 posterior rays are as high as the corresponding ones of the second dorsal fin. This fin 

 terminates opposite the termination of the second dorsal. 



The caudal fin is deeply forked ; the depth of its fleshy portion is less than the eighth 

 of an inch ; the length of its rays is half an inch. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 8-1-22. P. 17. V. 1-5. A. 2-1-18. C. 17. 



Length, five and a half inches. 



Remarks. The only individual of this species I have known to be taken on our coast, 

 was captured in a seine at New Bedford, in August, 1842, and sent to me by Mr. William 

 H. Taylor of that place. I received it in fine condition, and from it the accompanying 

 figure was made. Dekay observes that this fish is taken in the month of August " in 

 very inconsiderable numbers " in gill-nets. 



Massachusetts, STOKER. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. 



ARGYREIOSUS UNIMACULATUS, Batchelder. 

 The One-spotted Dory. 



(PLATE XIV. FIG. 2.) 



Argyreiosus unimaculatus, BATCHELDBR, Proceed. Best. Soc. Nat. Hist, n. p. 78. 



STOBEB, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 523. 

 " " " Synopsis, p. 271. 



Color. Above, light bluish-slate ; on sides and belly, silvery ; an ill-defined fuliginous 

 band passing upwards, slightly backward, from superior angle of eye. On sides, over 

 vertebral column, but not reached by pectorals, a single darkish oblong spot, of moderate 

 size. 



Description. Outline of body semicircular beneath, semioval above ; truncated and 

 inclined in front ; its depth five eighths its length, of which its greatest thickness is 

 about one eleventh, it being very much compressed. Head large, gibbous above, thence 



