E. 
+e 
" i ae & Z * “a » & 
~ E ^m 
» * 
Fishes of Massachusetts. 313 | 
^ x 2 * r: x 
five to twelve: upon each side of head, nine more s 
or less prominent spines, those on the gill-covers 
the largest: one, just above nostrils, three lines 
in length and incurved; a second, resembling a 
lunted tubercle at the upper posterior angle of eyes; 
a third, rather sharper than the second, forms the 
posterior boundary of the head. A strong, sharp 
spine, half an inch in length, is situated upon the 
supra scapular bone. The operculum has two spines ; - 
the largest, one quarter of an inch in length, at the 
posterior angle: the second, quite small at the in- 
ferior angle, almost concealed in the flesh, pointing 
downwards. The preoperculim has three spines ; 
.the largest, nine lines in length, is sharp, naked at 
its posterior portion, and pointing upwards; the  — 
g Second, much smaller, is „also naked, and situated 
at the base of the first, ap i 
of it, pointing backwards ; e third, is placed at the 
inferior angle, and, like the similarly situated spine 
of the operculum, is concealed. A small spine upon 
infra scapular bone. A large depression on the top 
of head; bounded, between eyes, by orbitar ridges ; 
back of eyes it is broader, and bounded on sides by - 
a longitudinal ridge. Mouth very large; lower jaw 
the shorter ; both jaws armed with numerous, small, 
- Sharp, — teeth, compactly placed together: . 
When mouth is closed, the intermaxillary bone 
_ forms a protuberance between the two anterior 
spines. Nostrils small, tubular. Eves large, pupils 
black, irides reddish yellow ; distance between a 
eight nt 
VOL. IIL—NO. II—IV. 22 
