* + Jd to x " 
T pe n d $ 
EH Es y j 
two inches, slightly flattened on its top; a 
tible convexity back of the neck, in ‘front of the 
2». 8 
E c " ; CAF, 
T Fishes ^d Massachusetts. — Ms 391 
spots than the ground of the back ; erbilotnen of a 
bluish white color, with sparse’ spots. Lower part 
of the gill-covers, together with the throat, and ven- 
tral and anal fins, blue. Depth of the body across j 
the base of the ventrals, co 3 e of the dorsal fin, 
rather more than two inches. ngth of the. head 
dorsal fin. Preoperculum finely denticulated upon 
its posterior edge; a fleshy prolongation at the pos- 
terior angle of the operculum. Between, and in 
front of the eyes, irregular bluish lines, appearing 
like hieroglyphies, more strongly marked than on 
the neck. Diameter of the eye, one line less than 
the distance between the eyes; pupils black ; ir 
silvery. Jaws equal, and with numerous teeth; 
those in front larger, recurved; teeth also on the 
pharynx. The lateral line distinet, of a darker 
rust color than the sides, curving ver y slightly with 
the body until just before the termination of the 
dorsal fin, when it suddenly curves downwards two 
lines, and then passes straight to the tail. 
rior angle of the ‘operculum, an and 1 1 
about an inch of the tail. It has m eighteen 
MEN the spines of which project at their tips ; 
portion of their connecting membrane is 
the appearance of filaments ; the eleven 
= apum The spinous rays gradu- 
ncrease in height to the membranous rays, 
still more elevated. 
» 
