FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 179 



turned backwards ; radiated lines are indistinctly seen running 

 from the centre of these scales to their circumference ; this 

 row is composed of twelve plates ; the first are the largest ; 

 that at the commencement of the dorsal fin, by far the small- 

 est ; between the dorsal and caudal fins, are situated 4 plates ; 

 two quite small, just back of the dorsal, forming a pair ; next 

 to these, a much larger one ; and lastly, an elongated one at 

 the commencement of the caudal fin. A second row of scales 

 commences just back of the operculum, situated where the 

 lateral line is usually observed, and is continued to the base of 

 the tail ; these plates, 28 in number, are placed obliquely ; 

 they are narrowed to a point at their extremities, widened in 

 their centres, and like the former are crowned by a spine, from 

 the base of which radii diverge ; the plates at the posterior 

 extremity of the body, much the smaller. Beneath this row 

 commences just back of the ventrals a third row of plates, lar- 

 ger than those of the last row, eight in number, placed verti- 

 cally. 



The whole surface of the body not occupied by the plates, 

 granulated throughout. Head flattened above, slightly de- 

 pressed between the eyes ; the back part of the head ter- 

 minates in a pointed plate. Snout, blunted. Eyes, small ; 

 pupils, black ; irides, yellow ; diameter of the eye, equal to one 

 fifth the distance between the eyes. Nostrils double, situated 

 directly in front o^ the eyes, the inferior much the larger. The 

 operculum consists of a single large plate with rays diverging 

 from its centre. Mouth without teeth, situated on the under 

 surface of the head, half as wide as long, capable of great pro- 

 trusion ; half way between the mouth and the extremity of 

 the snout, are situated four cirrhi placed on a line across, nearly 

 as long as the mouth. 



The Dorsal fin is situated at the posterior extremity of the 

 body ; the first rays are higher than the length of the fin. 



The Pectorals arise from a strong, triangular plate ; the first 

 ray is very large and strong ; the seventh and eighth rays the 

 longest ; width of the fins at their base, less than half of their 

 length. 



