FISHES OP MASSACHUSETTS. 17 



The preoperculiim has three spines, two of which are situated 

 at its superior angle ; the upper of these spines is much the 

 largest, and points upwards ] the second is smaller and nearly 

 straight ; the third and smallest;, at its inferior angle, points 

 directly downwards. The operculutn is armed with two 

 spines, the larger, at its superior angle ; the second, much 

 smaller, at its inferior angle. A scapular spine is prominent. 

 Eyes circular, six lines in diameter. Gape of mouth very 

 large ; distance between tips of jaws, when distended, two 

 inches two lines. Upper jaw the longer : jaws armed with 

 numerous very small, sharp teeth. Nostrils tubular, three 

 lines in front of eyes. Throat yellowish white, sprinkled with 

 minute fuliginous specks. 



The Dorsal fin commences on a line anterior to scapular 

 spine, rounded, of a dark brown color, variegated with yellow : 

 length to height as three to two. 



The second Dorsal arises at termination of first, appearing to 

 be a continuation of that fin, brown, with several transverse 

 yellowish bars. 



The Pectoral fins are very broad, arising in front of the first 

 dorsal : rays orange-colored : length of fin, less than height of 

 first rays. Upon the under side of several of the rays of this 

 fin, are roughened granulations. 



The Ventrals are small, white, with three transverse black 

 bars. These fins are two inches in length. 



The Anal fin is situated back of second dorsal, and barred 

 like that fin : its height half of its length. 



The Caudal fin is half as high as long, rays black, the 

 connecting membrane of the rays yellowish. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 10-18 ; P. 17 ; Y. 3 ; A. 

 13 ; C. 16. 



This species is exceedingly voracious ; in the stomach of 

 one, I found three entire specimens of the Portunus pictus. of 

 considerable size : in others, I have seen large quantities of the 

 Echinus granulatus. and several species of algae. 



