F'ishes of Massachusetts. 365 
Width of the tail when expanded, is more than 
five inches. 
The fin rays are as follows: B. 7; D. 7-26; P. 
1T;:V..65:4. 28; Cod. 
PEePRiLUs. Cuv. 
Generic characters. Form compressed; small 
and slightly apparent scales under a satiny epider- 
mis; snout obtuse and non-protractile; a single 
dorsal fin, preceded, as well as the anal, by a hori- 
zontal, partially concealed spine. The pelvis forms 
a trenchant and pointed blade, before the anus, that 
might be taken for a vestige of ventrals. Besides 
the ordinary lateral line, there is a stria on the flank, - 
which has been considered as a second one. 
P. triacanthus. Peck. The Three-Spined 
Peprilus. 
Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, v. ii. 
p. 48, et fig. 
Mitchell, Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. York, p. 365, et fig. 
_ Cuv. et Valene. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. 
In 1794, Peck read a description of this fish, 
which he accompanied with a very fair figure, to the 
* American Academy," under the name of “ Strom- 
ateus triacanthus.” This paper was published in 
the year 1804. In 1814, Dr. Mitchell read his paper 
upon the “ Fishes of New York," to the “ Literary 
and Philosophieal Society" of that state, and the 
next year this paper was published in that society's 
"Transactions: in his paper, he describes the species 
