ws 
* * " 
Fishes of Massachusetts. ^ 899 
this fish with the specific name of “ Bostonien- 
sis." In the spring and autumn, it is not unfre- 
quently found in the Boston "ce and in a mild 
winter, it may be met with at almost any time. 
"They are generally taken in Charles River at Water- 
town, and sometimes attain the weight of five 
pounds. But little value is attached to them by 
the fishermen, and not unfrequently they are thrown 
away for want of demand. They are occasionally 
brought into the city by the cartload, and palmed 
off upon the ignorant, as the mullet. 
The specimen before me is fifteen inches in 
length. Body subcylindrical. Color of the back | 
a slight brown, darkér towards the head, which 
is nearly olive colored ; sides of a reddish brown, 
presenting ac Déatitifal: metallic lustre; beneath, 
white. Scales ` on the anterior portion of the body 
much smaller than upon the posterior. Length of 
the head to the entire length of the body, including z 4 
the tail, as 1 to 5; head perfectly smooth ; rows of © 
mucous pores are seen on the back of the head, | 
and above and beneath the eyes. yes moderate in 
‘size, circular; pupils black; irides golden; distance . 
between the eyes equal to one quarter the length of 
the head, when the jaws are closed. Mouth small ; 
lips corrugated ; jaws destitute of teeth. Opercula 
golden. Nostrils just in front of the eyes; double ; 
anterior, larger and circular; posterior, narrower 
and transverse. The lateral line, which is com- 
posed of sixty-four scales, commences back of the 
— portion ‘of the operculum, and iia 
