Fishes of Massachusetts. 371 
minute. Length of the head, from the tip of the snout 
to the posterior angle of the operculum, is to the whole 
length of the body as 1 to 3; above, brownish; 
operculum and preoperculum yellow ; entire surface 
destitute of scales ; jaws somewhat protractile, armed 
with prominent, sharp teeth ; lips large and fleshy ; 
over the nostrils a minute filament one third of a line in 
length ; circumference of the eye, two lines; from be- 
neath the eye, a broad black band, wider at its base, 
crosses obliquely the operculum ; two other bands 
of the same color extend from behind the eye back- 
wards, in nearly a straight line, the distance of from 
one to two lines. The lateral line commences just 
"above the angle of the operculum, and, having ex- 
tended two lines, subbifurcates ; passing down in a 
gradual curve a little more than a line, it is contin- 
ued in a straight course to the base of the caudal 
fin; while the upper portion abruptly terminates op- 
posite the fourteenth ray of the dorsal fin. á 
The Dorsal fin, commencing on a line with the 
posterior angle of the operculum, is continued to the 
caudal fin ; the first five rays of this fin are shorter 
than the sixth ; the rays become again shorter as 
they approach the tail ; numerous black spots upon 
this fin: those larger upon the first five rays. 
The Pectorals, three lines long, of a light color, 
with some darker shades, are rounded ; they arise on. 
a line with the posterior angle of the operculum, and 
also the commencement of the dorsal fin. 
The Ventrals are situated two lines im front of the 
pectorals ; the rays are united thro greater 
portion of their — camino d 
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