. 960 Storer on the 
It follows vessels, or keeps near old casks or planks 
that are floating, and sometimes is found about the 
wharf logs in our harbor." 
Of the specimens lying before me, the largest is 
eight inches in length. Body oblong, compressed 
upon the sides; back arching abruptly over the eye 
of a bluish white upon the sides, looking as if eoi 
ered with black dots, owing to the dark outline of — 
the scales; body beneath, of a dull white color. 
(In the smallest specimen, which must be quite a 
young fish, the color is a dark brown, variegated 
with yellow patches.) Head, one fourth the length 
of the body; diameter of the eye, one fourth the 
length of the head. A bony ridge over the eyes. 
Opereulum large, naked, of a horny texture, mar- 
gined by a membrane. Preoperculum. strongly ser- 
rated throughout. A depression upon the top of the 
head, between the eyes ; distance between the eyes, 
rather greater than diameter of the eye. Nostrils 
directly in front of the eyes; the posterior, much 
the larger. The upper jaw at the snout descends 
abruptly ; jaws of equal length, with small, sharp 
teeth. The lateral line commences high above the 
operculum, and curving over the pectorals to their — 
extremities, pursues a straight course to the tail. 
The Dorsal fin commences back of a line opposite 
the posterior angle of the operculum, and is con- 
tinued to fleshy portion of the tail. Seven spines 
precede the fleshy rays of the dorsal; the posterior 
is connected, throughout almost its entire height, 
to the membrane of the dorsal; the preceding ones 
E 
