~~ 
Fishes of Massachusetts. 385- 
forms me, they are generally found in ponds and 
lagoons connected with the sea in muddy water: 
in winter, they are captured through the ice in 
spearing eels; and are not used for food. Each of 
these specimens was eleven inches in length. Color 
yellowish ; entire surface of the head, sides and 
abdomen marbled with black; the head so closely 
dotted as to appear almost black; sides irregularly 
undulated ; abdomen less closely marked. All the 
fins banded with black lines. Whole of the body 
enveloped with a copious viscid secretion, which 
flows from numerous mucous pores every where dis- 
tributed: beneath each eye,are eight very distinct 
glands: they are also observed upon the opercula. 
Head very much compressed ; its length and breadth 
equal. Body much narrower than the head ; gradu- 
ally tapering from the base of the pectorals to a short 
distance back of the anus, beyond which it becomes 
very much compressed. Operculwm armed with 
three distinct spines, the upper most prominent: 
cheeks protuberant. Diameter of the eye three 
lines ; pupils black; irides golden : over the middle 
of each eye is situated a large fleshy appendage 
which hangs down over the eye, and, just before 
this, a very small appendage. Mouth very large ; 
lips fleshy ; on the chin four small fleshy append- 
ages; directly beneath these, two smaller ones; on 
a line with these latter, three larger appendages on 
each side, with a still larger one at the angle of 
each jaw. Lower jaw longer than the upper; a 
single row of strong conical teeth in each jaw upon 
‘its sides ; with more e one row in front of the jaw. 
a VOL. Hr. —No. nav. 31 
x x E 
