30 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



in front, much smaller and straight ; those behind, recurved. 

 Number of vertebrae, eighty-nine. 



My generic name is derived from nqvmog. concealed — and 



axarO-ojdi]?, spiue. 



Gastekosteus. Cuv. 



Generic characters. Body loithout scales, more or less plated 

 on the sides : one dorsal fin, with five spines before it : ventral 

 fin with one strong spine, and no other rays : hones of the 

 pelvis forming a shield, pointed behind : branchiostegous 

 rays 3. 



G. Noveboracensis. Cuv. The Neio York Stickleback. 

 Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. t. iv. p. 502, pi, 98, fig. 3. 



I have seen but three specimens of this fish, and therefore 

 conclude it cannot be as common as the two following species 

 of " Stickleback." One of these specimens was brought me from 

 Provincetown, by Dr. Gould ; another, was taken from the 

 stomach of a codfish, in our market, by Mr. E. Freeman ; and 

 the third was found at Boston, by Master Henry Parker. 



The specimen before me is two and a half inches in length ; 

 all its upper portion, to the lateral line on each side, is of a 

 very dark brown color, almost black ; beneath, silvery. Sides, 

 armed with strong, vertical bony plates, upwards of thirty in 

 number, diminishing in size towards the tail -, those at poste- 

 rior portion of the body, with a lateral crest, terminating at the 

 base of the caudal fin. Head, half an inch in length. Diam- 

 eter of eye, half a line. Lower jaw slightly projecting beyorid 

 upper. Gill-covers silvery. Oater edge of Ventral spine, ser- 

 rated throughout its whole extent ; serrations of the inner edge 

 scarcely discernible. The second Dorsal spine much larger 

 than either of the others. The posterior Dorsal spine very 

 small. 



