FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 65 



MURAENOIDES. Laccpede. 



Generic characters. Head small, muzzle obtuse; body 

 elongated, smooth, scales minute, covered with a mucous secre- 

 tion ; dorsal fin extending the whole length of the back, the 

 rays simple ; ventral fins very small ; teeth small, pointed, 

 detached. 



M. guttata. Lacepede. The spotted Gunnel. 



Pennant's British Zoology, vol. iv. p. 183. 



Me Murtrie's Cuv. vol. ii. p. 176. 



Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. i, p. 239, et fig. 



This pretty little species, which is also called abroad " butter 

 fish," from the slime with which it is covered, is found at low 

 tide upon the beaches, beneath stones and sea-weed ; it is ex- 

 ceedingly difficult to retain in the hand after it is captured, on 

 account of its slipperiness and agility. It is common at Na- 

 hant, Holmes Hole, and probably along our entire sea-coast. 

 I have found it in the stomach of the " Anarrhicas lupus," 

 and " Cottus Virginianus," and it is undoubtedly eaten by 

 many other fishes. 



This fish is sometimes met with, twelve inches in length. 

 It is of a yellowish brown color, presenting a waved appear- 

 ance, with twelve or more ocelated black spots along the base 

 of the dorsal fin, surrounded with a lighter circle. The lateral 

 line pursues a straight course. Length of head, to whole 

 length of body, as 1 to 5. Eyes small ; pupils black ; irides 

 bluish, with a beautiful red ring within. Mouth oblique when 

 jaws are closed. Minute sharp teeth in each jaw. Back of 

 angle of mouth, a brown band descends from eyes to throat. 



The Dorsal fin, which is but slightly raised above back, 

 commences on a line above posterior angle of operculum, and 

 is continued to tail, being composed of spinous rays entirely 

 concealed, save their points, by the membrane. 



The Pectoral fins are reddish, arising back of posterior infe- 

 rior angle of gill-covers. 



