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I 



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36 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



small fleshy cirrhus is suspended from chin. Preoperculum 

 serrated at its posterior margin : more sparsely so, beneath. A 

 small concealed spinous point is observed at posterior portion 

 of operculum. Lateral line very distinct, curving with the 

 body. 



The Dorsal fin arises just back of the pectorals ; its first ray 

 is a minute spine : the second fleshy ray is much the longest 

 of all ; this ray is nearly twice as high as the length of the 

 fin. The extremities of the rays are black. 



The second Dorsal is of the color of the abdomen ; of equal 

 height throughout its entire length ; one sixth less high than 

 long. It extends to within half an inch of caudal rays. 



The Pectorals are above black j beneath, color of abdomen j 

 length less than one third their height. 



The Ventrals arise in front of posterior half of pectorals ; 

 their general color like the pectorals ; extremities margined 

 with white. 



The Anal fin is situated in the middle of the body ; longer 

 than high j color of abdomen. 



The Caudal is lunated ; a little higher than long. 



The fin rays are D. 9. 26 j P. 19 ; V. 5 ; A. 10 ; C. 17. 



FAMILY IV. 

 SPAROIDES. 



S ARGUS. CUV. 



Generic characters. Trenchant incisors in front of jaws, 

 almost similar to those of man. 



S. ovis. Mitchell. The Sheep's Head. 

 Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. v. i. p. 392. 



This species, so elaborately described and eulogized by 

 Mitchell, is occasionally taken in our waters south of Cape 

 Cod. Thomas A. Greene, Esq. of New Bedford, informs me 



