, EF 
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Fishes of Massachusetts. 345 
which, the second and third are the longest, arises 
on a line opposite the posterior half of the pectoral 
fins: the length of this fin is hardly greater than 
its height. When unexpanded, it is entirely con- 
cealed in a groove at its base. 
The second Dorsal, situated upon the posterior 
half of the body, is of a fuliginous color, margined 
with white; its length to its height is nearly as 3 
tol; back of this second dorsal, occupying the 
Space between it and the tail, are five finlets, the 
fifth, longest. 
The Pectoral fins of a dark color, having beneath 
them a black blotch, arise back of the upper third of 
the operculum ; their length to their height as 1 to 3. 
The Ventral fins arise back of the pectorals, and like- 
wise have beneath them a black spot at their base ; 
save the tinge given them by this spot, they are of 
a flesh color. The first ray is very strong; all the 
rays are subdivided at their middle, and again divi- 
ded into smaller portions at their extremities. 
The Anal fin arises directly back of the anus, 
which is situated opposite the origin of the second 
dorsal. At the commencement of this fin, is a short 
spine; this fin is shorter than the second dorsal, and 
of the same color as the abdomen. Back of this fin 
are six finlets; that next the anal fin, appearing at 
first sight to be a portion of the fin. 
At the base of the Caudal, are two longitudinal cari- 
næ, extending the whole length of the fleshy portion 
of the tail: the outer rays of the caudal fin, much the 
longer; their articulations very obvious; fin deeply 
forked ; extremities margined with white; distance 
VOL. II.—NO. III—IV. 26 
