FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 179 



turned backwards ; radiated lines are indistinctly seen running 

 from the centre of these scales to their circumference j this 

 row is composed of twelve plates j the first are the largest ; 

 that at the commencement of the dorsal fin, by far the small- 

 est ; between the dorsal and caudal fins, are situated 4 plates ; 

 two quite small, just back of the dorsal, forming a pair ; next 

 to these, a much larger one ; and lastly, an elongated one at 

 the commencement of the caudal fin. A second row of scales 

 commences just back of the operculum, situated where the 

 lateral line is usually observed, and is continued to the base of 

 the tail ; these plates, 28 in number, are placed obliquely ; 

 they are narrowed to a point at their extremities, widened in 

 their centres, and like the former are crowned by a spine, from 

 the base of which radii diverge ; the plates at the posterior 

 extremity of the body, much the smaller. Beneath this row 

 commences just back of the ventrals a third row of plates, lar- 

 ger than those of the last row, eight in number, placed verti- 

 cally. 



The whole surface of the body not occupied by the plates, 

 granulated throughout. Head flattened above, slightly de- 

 pressed between the eyes ; the back part of the head ter- 

 minates in a pointed plate. Snout, blunted. Eyes, small j 

 pupils, black ; irides, yellow ; diameter of the eye, equal to one 

 fifth the distance between the eyes. Nostrils double, situated 

 directly in front of the eyes, the inferior much the larger. The 

 operculurn consists of a single large plate with rays, diverging 

 from its centre. Mouth without teeth, situated on the under 

 surface of the head, half as wide as long, capable of great pro- 

 trusion ; half way between the mouth and the extremity of 

 the snout, are situated four cirrhi placed on a line across, nearly 

 as long as the mouth. 



The Dorsal fin is situated at the posterior extremity of the 

 body ; the first rays are higher than the length of the fin. 



The Pectorals arise from a strong, triangular plate ; the first 

 ray is very large and strong ; the seventh and eighth rays the 

 longest ; width of the fins at their base, less than half of their 

 length. 





