FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 131 



creased from nine shillings to from three to four dollars per 

 quintal. Immense numbers of this species are found in our 

 waters in spring and autumn. To Jeffries ledge, a fleet of 20 

 or 30 boats frequently go off in the ftiU of the year, and hav- 

 ing fastened their craft together and thrown overboard a quan- 

 tity of bait to entice the fish, capture in a single night from 30 

 to 40 quintals oi pollack to a boat. 



Length of the specimen described, two feet four inches. 

 Depth of the body across from the anus, exclusive of the dorsal 

 fin, as 1 to 4 ; upper part of the head and body, of a greenish 

 brown color ; sides lighter ; abdomen white. Lateral line of 

 a grayish color, commencing above the posterior angle of the 

 operculum, and slightly curving over the pectorals to their ex- 

 tremity, pursues nearly a straight course to the middle of the 

 caudal rays. Length of the head about equal to the greatest 

 depth of the body ; top of the head between the eyes slightly 

 depressed ; head somewhat pointed, when the jaws are closed. 

 Eyes large ; pupils black ; irides silvery, with greenish reflec- 

 tions ; diameter of the eye equal to half the distance between 

 the eyes. Loioer jaio longer than the upper; minute teeth in 

 both jaws ; gape of the month quite large ; mouth within, 

 bluish ; tongue large, fleshy. Posterior nostril quite large. A 

 line of mucous pores on both maxillary bones. Gill-covers 

 silvery ; the division between the opercle and preopercle, 

 scarcely distinguishable at first sight ; the posterior angle of the 

 operculum obtuse. Body gradually arched to the origin of the 

 first dorsal. 



The first Dorsal fin arises opposite the middle of the pecto- 

 rals, is one third longer than high, and of the same color as the 

 back. 



The second Dorsal fin is one third longer than the first ; it 

 arises back of the first, at a distance equal to less than one 

 third the length of the first dorsal. The distance between the 

 second and third dorsals, is to the distance between the first 

 and second, as 3 to 1 ; height of the third dorsal to its length, 

 less than 1 to 3. 



The Pectorals arise on a line with the posterior angle of the 



MMnpHKiranaaaHWMii^'' 



