2.8 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS, 



by a common membrane^ runs nearly the entire length of the 

 fish, and unites as well as the anal with the tail. No ventral 

 fins. 



C. onaculatus. Nobis. The spotted Wry-mouth. 



Three specimens of a fish evidently belonging to the Buc- 

 catcB Loricatce have fallen under my observation, for the recep- 

 tion of which I know of no established genus. I am compel- 

 led therefore to constitute a genus in which it may be placed. 



This I do with no slight reluctance ; and, anxious only to 

 throw more light upon this branch of study, I shall feel highly 

 gratified, should it be received and retained by succeeding 

 Ichthyologists. 



The first specimen met with, was purchased by the " Boston 

 Society of Natural History" some years since, with several other 

 species, and was said to have been taken in the outer basin of 

 Boston harbor : this specimen is still in the cabinet of that soci- 

 ety ; it is about twenty-one inches long, and will serve for my 

 description. It is of a dirty reddish white color, the cuticle 

 having been removed before it was purchased. The second 

 specimen, larger, of a reddish brown color sprinkled over 

 with dark brown blotches, was sent me by Mr. Jonathan John- 

 son Jr., of Nahant, who took it while fishing in the vicinity of 

 that place. The third specimen was taken from the stomach 

 of a haddock, and kindly sent me by Mr. Holbrook, fishmon- 

 ger in Q^uincy Market. This last specimen was twelve inches 

 in length, of a dull flesh color, covered with innumerable 

 very minute black dots, and above and beneath the lateral 

 line, an interrupted row of dark brown blotches extended from 

 pectoral fins to tail ; these blotches larger at anterior portion of 

 body, and more numerous towards the tail. Top and sides of 

 head, sno\]t, and anterior portion of underside of lower jaw 

 marked with moderate sized spots of a deeper brown than 

 those of the bade. 



The specimen before me is twenty-one inches in length : its 

 greatest width two and a half inches. On each side of top of 

 head, two prominent bony ridges run directly back from pes- 



