68 FISHES OP MASSACHUSETTS. 



course ; a portion of this line is scarcely visible. All the fins 

 are enveloped in a fleshy membrane. 



The Dorsal fin, commencing on the same plane with ven- 

 trals, is continued to the tail ; previous to reaching the tail, 

 however, about seventeen of its rays lose their fleshy portion, 

 and exhibit only their spinous bases. At the termination of 

 these spinous rays, commences the tail. 



The Pectorals are broad, round at their extremities, and of a 

 yellow color, inclining to brown at their base. 



The Ventrals are situated in front of pectorals, composed of 

 two rays, but, being enveloped by a tough membrane, appear 

 as if but one. 



Anus large, situated just in front of anal fin. 

 The rays of the Anal and Caudal fins cannot be distinguished 

 from each other. About one hundred rays caA be counted of 

 the anal fin, but the rays of the fleshy tail cannot be distin- 

 guished. Both dorsal and anal fins are of a greenish color, 

 tinged with yellow. 



The fin rays, as far as practicable to be counted, are as 

 follows: B. 6; D. 120; P. 19; V. 2; A. 100. 



In a living specimen of this species, received March 27, 

 1838, twenty-one inches in length, the color was a light sal- 

 mon, mottled with irregular olive-colored blotches, darker 

 towards the head. Head lighter colored than in larger speci- 

 mens : the two oblique bands on operculum, narrow and rather 

 indistinct. In upper jaw, the row of single teeth is six in 

 number; in lower jaw, the single row contains six also. 

 Irides salmon colored. A considerable number of mucous 

 glands are quite obvious upon head, back of, and beneath eyes. 

 The lateral line is more perceptible than in mature specimen. 

 Body beneath, white ; neck, flesh colored. 



The Dorsal fin almost white, salmon colored at its edge. 

 The Pectorals of a true salmon color, lighter at their origin. 

 The Ventrals, salmon colored. 



The Anal is salmon colored at its edge, flesh colored at its 

 base, with seven distinct white blotches in its extent. 



The dorsal, pectoral and anal fins are perfectly transparent. 



