FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 127 



twelve inches in length. The length of the head is to the 

 length of the body, about as 1 to 6 j the depth of the fish over 

 the anus, exclusive of the dorsal fin, less than one sixth the 

 length of the body. In color, this species varies exceedingly, 

 generally it is brown, greenish, or yellowish brown, with deeper 

 patches, spots, and blotches ; beneath, lighter. Snout blunt ; 

 upper jaw projecting beyond the lower, a small barbule be- 

 neath the chin ; teeth in the jaws very compact, small, and 

 sharp j those in the upper jaw more apparent j small teeth in 

 the throat. Diameter of the eye equal to half the distance be- 

 tween the eyes j pupils of the eye black ; irides golden. Nos- 

 trils double ; anterior the larger. Fins brown, tinged with red. 



The lateral line, commencing above the operculum, curves 

 gently upwards to the pectorals, and just beyond these fins 

 commencing a straight course, terminates at the base of the 

 caudal rays. 



The first Dorsal fin commences opposite the middle of the 

 pectorals j its length is greater than its height. The second dor- 

 sal as long again as high. The length of the third dorsal, one 

 fourth less than the length of the second, and less than the 

 length of the first. 



The length of the Pectorals is one fourth less than their height. 



The Ventrals are situated in the front of the pectorals ; the 

 first two rays are free at their extremities ; the second ray the 

 longer ; the other rays are united. 



The first Anal fin is more than as long again as high ; the 

 second fin is shorter than the first. 



The Caudal fin is convex. 



The fin rays are : D. 13-18-19 ; P. 17 ; V. 6 ; A. 22-18 ; 

 C. 39. 



M. Minuta. Lin. The Poor or Power Cod. 



Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. ii. p. 161 et fig. 

 Strack's Plates, 27. 1. 



A single specimen only have I ever seen of this species, 

 which was taken in Boston harbor ; it has been preserved for 



