130 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The first Dorsal fin commences at a distance back of the 

 posterior angle of the operculum, equal to about one fourth the 

 length of the head ; longer than high. 



The second Dorsal has its first rays equal in their height to 

 half its length. 



The third Dorsal begins at a greater distance from the sec- 

 ond, than the space between the first and second ; the height 

 of the first rays of this fin, less than half the length of the fin. 

 All the dorsal fins of a bluish black color. 



The Pectorals commence on a line with the posterior angle 

 of the operculum ; their color the same as the dorsals. 



The Yentrals commence in front of the pectorals ; their 

 depth equal to one third their height. 



The first Anal fin commences on a line opposite the interval 

 between the first and second dorsal fins, just back of the anus, 

 and is the same color as the abdomen ; depth to its length as 

 3 to 8. The second anal commences on a line opposite the 

 last dorsal, and terminates on the same plane with that fin. 



The Caudal fin is large ; its width at base is to its width at 

 the extremity as 2 to 7, being much forked. 



The fin rays are : D. 13-20-20 ; P. 19 ; V. 6 ; A. 24-21 ; 

 C. 32. 



M. purpureus. Mitchell. The Pollack. 

 Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. vol. i. p. 370. 



Until within a few years, the " Merlangus purpureus," 

 "pollack," was but slightly prized ; and the fishermen had so 

 little demand for it, that they not unfrequently gave it away 

 from their boats. Its useful qualities are beginning to be known 

 and valued, and in several of the interior towns of the state, it 

 is now as readily sold as any other fish. When salted, it was 

 formerly usual to throw it at once into old brine, to increase 

 its weight, which it did at the expense of its goodness. It 

 is ascertained that when prepared in the . same way as the 

 cod, when intended for dun fish, with proper care and 

 good salt, this is really an excellent fish, and its value is in- 



