FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 49 



inches in height ; five in length : this fin resembles a very- 

 strong membrane, similar to the fins of the Sharks, it being 

 almost impossible to count the rays : nine finlets between this 

 and the tail, of a bright yellow color, dark at base, and upon 

 anterior edge. 



The Pectoral fins are falciform ; of the same color as gill- 

 covers ; five inches long ; sixteen inches high. 



The Ventral fins are composed of very strong rays, situated 

 in a groove at their base just beneath pectorals ; above, black ; 

 beneath, white ; eleven, inches high ; two inches long. 



The Anal fin commences six inches back of the second dor- 

 sal ; and is similar in appearance to that fin : the rays cannot 

 be counted on account of their compactness : fin fifteen inches 

 high ; five inches long : nine finlets, color of the dorsal ; and, 

 like them, the middle longest. 



The Caudal fin is lunated : seven inches high in its middle ; 

 measuring two feet five inches across its extremities. At its 

 base, a lateral carina, which is continued on to tail, seven 

 inches long ; one and a half inches high. On each side of the 

 portion of it which is upon tail, two smaller carinas are situ- 

 ated, three inches in length, between these and the former, 

 depressions are thus produced. 



The fin rays so far as practicable to be counted, are about 

 as follows : D. 14-13 ; 9 finlets ; P. 34 ; Y. 1-5 ; A. 2-12 ; 

 9 finlets ; C. 19. 



Pelamys. Cuv. 



Generic characters. Distinguished from the Tunnies solely 

 by their separate, pointed, and strong teeth. 



P. sarda. Bloch. The Skip Jack. 



Trans Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. 4^8. 



Cuv. et Valenc. Hist Nat. des Poiss, t. viii. p. 149, pi. 217. 



This species is by our fishermen incorrectly called " Bonito. 

 The true " Bonito" is a -• Thynnus/' Cuv. I have examined 

 7 



