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HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The lateral line is indistinct, — high up on the back; mucous pores somewhat similar 

 in appearance, scattered throughout upper back. 



The first dorsal fin is small and subquadrangular ; its height equalling its length; and 

 each about one third the length of the head. 



The second dorsal is very small, about one third as large as the first, from which it 

 also diners in another respect, its posterior margin being the longer ; whereas in the 



is situated posterior to the middle point between the first 



li 



dorsal and caudal fin 



It 



The pectorals are very large ; their length is nearly four times their height, reachin 



o 



beyond the middle of 



first dorsal 



triangular, slightly falciform; the apex and 



posterior angle being rounded. These fins are situated just posterior to the middle 

 point, between the end of the snout and the first dorsal. 



The ventrals are moderate sized ; height and length about equal ; placed on a line 

 about midway between the first and second dorsals. 



The anal fin is small, of the size of the second dorsal, and of same form as that fin, 

 save that its anterior border is slightly more rounded, and its margin more deeply cleft 



directly beneath that fin. 



The caudal fin is slender, elongated, about two ninths the entire length 



lobe is little more than twice as long as the lower, and less stout ; the preceding 

 but little marked ; a well marked notch above and below, before the caudal. 

 Length, nine to ten feet. 



The upper 



Remarks 



The specimen described by me in the Boston Journal of Natural History 



ptured at Nahant, July 10th, 1839, and measured nine and a half feet 



The 



above described was sent to me from Provincetown, by Captain Atwood, October 30th 



1851 



This 



is 



common species 



floats ashore in the night, like the Goose-fish 



the waters of Massachusetts. It sometimes 



tangled in mackerel-nets, like the mackerel shark 

 Massachusetts, Stoker. 



Lophius Americanus 



becomes en- 



Lamna punctata. 



