FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 161 



on a line with the middle of the pectoral fin. Although the 

 " tobianus" attains the length of several inches more than 

 any of the specimens before me, and differs somewhat in the 

 number of its fin rays, yet the general characters of the foreign 

 species and our fish coincide so nearly, that I am led to believe 

 them to be the same. 



On several portions of the coast of Great Britain, these fishes 

 are readily eaten by the poorer classes. But as more palatable 

 species are easily obtained with us, they are allowed to collect 

 on the shore in large quantities, to be devoured by their nume- 

 rous enemies, among which the Cuttle fish prey upon them 

 voraciously. 



Since writing the above description, I have received a fine 

 specimen, five and a half inches in length, from Nahant, which 

 satisfies me perfectly as to this species being the " tobianus" 

 In this specimen the fin rays are as follows: D. 54; P. 13; 

 A. 26 ; C. 17. 



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