FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 195 



Taylor, Esq., presents some dissimilarities to the above. The 

 ocellated spots do not exist, but the individual is of an uniform 

 light brown color. On the margin of the pectorals, on a line 

 opposite the eye, are from four to six longitudinal rows of strong 

 recurved spines ; on the back of the pectorals towards the late- 

 ral angle, are four or five longitudinal rows of spines directed to- 

 wards the dorsum of the fish. All the under surface of the 

 snout to the nostrils, and exterior to the nostrils to the angle 

 of the jaws, roughened with innumerable small tubercles. 

 The teeth have become very sharp ; their middle portions pre- 

 sent an acute angle ; they are recurved, and exhibit regular 

 rows passing backwards, with a space of a line or more be- 

 tween them. The bony process contained in the claspers, is 

 four inches long, and half an inch deep at the posterior extrem- 

 ity. The outer margin is festooned, and naked, about two 

 lines of its depth ; the inner half of the width, is covered with 

 corrugated flesh. 



Family. 

 SUCTORH. 



Petromyzon. Lin. 



Generic characters. Body smooth^ elongated, cylindrical, 

 like that of an eel; the head, rounded; the 7nouth circular, 

 armed tvith hard tooth-like processes ; the lip forming a con- 

 tinuous circle round the mouth ; seven apertures on each side 

 of the neck, leading to seven branchial cells ; no pectoral or 

 ventral fins ; the skin toioards the tail extending in a fold 

 from the body both above and beloiv, forms dorsal, anal, and 

 caudal fins. 



P. Americanus. Le Sueur. The Am,erican Lamprey. 

 Trans, of Amer. Phil. Soc. new series, vol. i, p. 382. 



This species, which is far from being common in our Bay, 



