12 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



ored margin. Jnst above this spot, arises the lateral line, which 

 assumes the curve of the back, and is lost at the base of the 

 tail. The back curves very gradually as far as the posterior 

 extremity of the dorsal fin, then abruptly gives place to the 

 fleshy portion of the tail. All the fins more or less colored 

 with black. Length of the pectoral fins nearly two inches. 

 Anus large, corrugated — two lines anterior to the anal fin. 



The fin rays are as follows : D. 10-12 ; P. 13 ; V. 1-5; A. 

 3-10; C. 17. 



I am induced to believe, from the remarks of several anglers 

 with whom I have conversed and corresponded, that another 

 species of Pomotis inhabits our waters. 



Family II. 



mJCOM LORICATiE. 



Prionotus. Lacep. 



Generic characters. Head nearly square, covered tvith bony 

 plates : gill-cover and shoulder-plate ending in a spine directed 

 backwards : body elongated, nearly round : tivo dorsal fins, 

 the rays of the first, spinous ; those of the second, fiexihle : 

 teeth in jaios, in front of vomer, and upon palatine bones, 

 pointed, small and nmnerous : gill-opening large : three de- 

 tached rays at the base of each pectoral fin. 



P. strigatus. Cuv. Sea Robin. Gurnard. Grunter. 



Trans. Lit. et Philosoph, N. Y. p. 430 et fig. 

 Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. t. iv., p. 86. 



This species Avhich is very well described, and tolerably figur- 

 ed by Mitchell as the Trigla lineata, is frequently taken in 

 the vicinity of Holmes Hole, while fishing for other species, 

 but is not used. 



A beautiful specimen received from Dr. Yale enables me to 

 offer the following description : 



