Fishes of Massachusetts. — 397 
the specimens before me were received, through 
the politeness of my friend Samuel Downer, Jr. 
The following appearances are presented: Form 
oblong; body slightly arched from the occiput to 
the commencement of the dorsal fin, and then grad- 
- ually curved to the termination of that fin. Color, 
a bright orange on the upper part of the body; 
lighter upon the sides ; white beneath. Scales large, 
exhibiting several strie, and, under the microscope, 
a great number of very minute points or granula- 
tions, giving a rough feel to their surface. The 
number of the scales in an oblique direction, from 
the origin of the dorsal fin to the abdomen, is ten. 
The lateral line, which is very distinct and nearly 
straight, iere enimad the seventh row of scales. 
„engt the head, one fifth the length of the 
body, flattened RRA the eyes: eyes moderate in 
size ; pupils black; irides silvery ; diameter of the 
eye equal to half the distance between the eyes. 
Mouth small; jaws toothless; upper jaw the longer. 
Nostrils large. Suborbitar and opercular surfaces, 
golden ; the latter covered with delicate strie. 
The Dorsal fin arises on the anterior half of the 
body, as long again as high: the first two rays 
are spinous ; the first, very short and slightly rough- 
ened behind; the second, l rge and strongly ser- 
rated behind. ; 
The Pectorals arise in hoi of the dorsal fin, at 
a distance equal to half their length; their length 
equal to one sixth their height. 
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The Ventrals are situated under the anterior por- - 
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