Fishes of Massachusetts. 461 
“ pollack.” Ihave had it prepared in its fresh state 
for my own table, and found it an excellent fish. 
With the cod, it is salted in considerable numbers. 
From a specimen three feet in length, weighing 
thirteen pounds, obtained in Boston market in Janu- 
ary, I have drawn up the following description. 
Length of the head, compared to that of the body, 
exclusive of the tail, as 1 to 2 1-4; depth of the 
body over the base of the pectorals, rather less than 
the length of the head. All the upper part of the 
body and head, black; beneath the lateral line, the 
body of a bluish white; the abdomen lighter than 
the sides. The lateral line, which is of a beautiful 
silvery white color, commences just above the pos- 
terior angle of the operculum, and with the exception 
of a very slight inclination anterior to the space be- 
tween the first and second dorsal fins, pursues a 
straight course to the base of the caudal fin. Scales 
on the head, smaller than those of the body ; the 
lower jaw longer than the upper ; the teeth in both 
jaws small and sharp; more numerous in the upper 
jaw; the lips purplish; the distance between the 
eyes less than one fourth the length of the head ; 
the eyes large, prominent; the pupils blue; the 
irides silvery. 
'The first Dorsal fin commences at a distance back 
of the posterior angle of the operculum, equal to 
about one fourth the length of the head ; longer than 
high. 
The second Dorsal has its first rays equal in their 
height to half its length. 
The third Dorsal begins at a greater distance from 
