HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS 



243 



covered with small, sharp, flexible spines; their extremities are naked ; similar opines are 

 continued along the edge of the head to the base of the pectoral fins ; upon the anterior 

 edge of the pectorals are numerous very minute spinules. On the upper portion of the 

 pectorals, toward the lateral angle, are four or five longitudinal rows of vei sharp, hi- 



ed, erectile spines, — some of the rows containing a dozen or more spines 



A ii 



w 



short spines are distributed upon the posterior inferior base of the pectorals. — and 



very minute asperities may be felt upon 

 ten, twelve, or more in number 

 dorsum to the first dorsal fin. 

 nules : on each side of the cenl 



the ventrals. A row of prominent - 1 rong spines, 



i — commence just back of the eyes, and extend along the 

 In the intervals between these, are numerous minute spi- 



perfectfy 



series of small spines ex- 



shoulder, — the posterior of which is the 



tending from the shoulder to the first dorsal fin. Two spines are situated upon each 



longer. On each side of the dorsum, passing 

 from the shoulders to the posterior portion of the body, and also exterior to each shoul- 

 der, are seen lines resembling the lateral line, passing down to, and bifurcating upon the 

 pectorals, from which, small mucous ducts are distributed at regular intervals. Body be- 

 neath perfectly smooth, with the exception of a very few spines scarcely perceptible, un- 

 less by the touch, on each side of the commencement of the caudal fin, and a small patch 

 of e qually minute spinules upon the middle of the tail, just in front of the termination of 

 the ventral fins. Mucous pores are scattered over the greater portion of the under sur- 

 face, app 

 thou 



black do 



ts, in most instances distributed 



+ 



gh a longitudinal line of these is seen toward the middle of the pectorals, and 



the base of 



"V 



entral 



The dorsal fins 



of equal length ; the first, a little the higher and connected 



base to the tail by a membranous prolongation ; both dorsals rounded abov 



These fins 



by a short 



The posterior terminates near the 



are separated from each other 

 extremity of the tail. 



Length, two to five feet. 



Remarks. This species is common in Massachusetts Bay. 



Massachusetts, Stoker. Connecticut, Linsley. New York, Mitchill. 



GENUS II. PASTINACA. Cuv. 



Tail slender, without fins ; but armed with one or more long spines, which are dentated 

 the edges. 



