46 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



. 



Length of specimen before me, eleven inches: depth two 

 inches. Form elongated, very round and plump, tapering 

 towards tail at the origin of which it is very small. Upper 

 part of body of a light green color, tyith numerous contig- 

 uous beautifully undulating lines of a darker green passing 

 down the sides and just crossing the lateral line, immediately 

 beneath lateral line, of a dull bluish color, with indistinct cir- 

 cular brown blotches. Abdomen lighter colored, but as well 

 as the sides, presenting cupreous reflections. Head, two and 

 a half inches in length j flattened above ; compressed on sides ; 

 rather pointed at snout. Eyes large ; full ; pupils black ; hi- 

 des silvery. Nostrils double ; the posterior, vertical, just in 

 front of 'eyes ; anterior, circular, in front of posterior, equal to 

 the distance between posterior and eye : diameter of eye, 

 rather less than the distance between eyes. Superior portion 

 of preoperculum cupreous ; inferior portion of it, as of oper- 

 culum and maxillaries. silvery. Tongue pointed, greenish with 

 a metallic tint. Jaws equal ; crowded with minute teeth. 



The first Dorsal fin arises opposite the posterior third of the 

 pectoral fins ; transparent its first ray upon its outer edge, and 

 the spaces between the tips of the rays margined with black ; 

 the second ray longest ; the tips of all slightly projecting be- 

 yond the membrane. 



The second Dorsal commences back of the first, at a greater 

 distance than the length of first dorsal : fin shorter than pre- 

 ceding ; rays short, covered by a thick membrane : five fin- 

 lets back of second dorsal the fifth, deeply divided, appearing 

 like two. 



The Pectorals just beneath, and on a line with the lateral 

 line : length about one half their height : slightly dusky : at 

 base above, a small black blotch which is hardly perceived, 

 unless fin is raised. 



The Ventrals just in front of first dorsal j elongated ; red- 

 dish white. 



At origin of Anal fin a small spine is observed. The Anal 

 fin is opposite the second Dorsal, and, like it, has five finlets, 

 resembling those of the back. 



