36 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



small fleshy cirrhus is suspended from chin. Preoperculum, 

 serrated at its posterior margin : more sparsely so. beneath. A 

 small concealed spinous point is observed at posterior portion 

 of operculum. Lateral line very distinct, curving with the 

 body. 



The Dorsal fin arises just back of the pectorals ; its first ray 

 is a minute spine : the second fleshy ray is much the longest 

 of all ; this ray is nearly twice as high as the length of the 

 fin. The extremities of the rays are black. 



The second Dorsal is of the color of the abdomen ; of equal 

 height throughout its entire length ; one sixth less high than 

 long. It extends to within half an inch of caudal rays. 



The Pectorals are above black ; beneath, color of abdomen ; 

 length less than one third their height. 



The Yentrals arise in front of posterior half of pectorals ; 

 their general color like the pectorals ; extremities margined 

 with white. 



The Anal fin is situated in the middle of the body ; longer 

 than high ; color of abdomen. 



The Caudal is lunated ; a little higher than long. 



The fin rays are D. 9. 26 ; P. 19 ; V. 5 ; A. 10 ; C. 17. 



Family IV. 

 SPAROIDES. 



Sargus. Cuv. 



Generic characters. Trenchant incisors in front of jaws, 

 almost similar to those of man. 



S. ovis. Mitchell. The Sheep^s Head. 

 Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. v. i. p. 392. 



This species, so elaborately described and eulogized by 

 Mitchell, is occasionally taken in our waters south of Cape 

 Cod. Thomas A. Greene, Esq. of New Bedford, informs me 



