Fishes of Massachusetts. . 469 
much compressed; eyes circular; distance between 
the eyes one quarter the length of the head. Nos- 
trils double; from the back of the anterior nostril, a 
very iude cirrhus is suspended. | Upper jaw the 
longer; to the chin is attached a dark-colored — 
cirrhus, one fourth of an inch long. Jaws and 
palatines armed with numerous, minute, sharp teeth. ` 
The first Dorsal fin, which is of a lighter color - 
than the body, and variegated with black, is situ- 
ated the length of the head back of the head. 
The second Dorsal, arising one fourth of an inch 
back of the first, is continued to the tail; upon the 
lower portion of this fin is a row of dark-colored 
Spots, and its edge is margined with black. 
The Pectorals are three quarters of an inch long, 
and dark colored at their extremities. 
The Ventrals are small, color of the pectorals, ter- 
minating in a point. 
The Anal fin is of the same length as the dorsal, 
and like it is joined to the commencement of the 
caudal fin. 
The Caudal fin is rounded, colored, and margin- 
ed like the dorsal and anal fins. 
The fleshy texture of the membrane forming 
the several fins, prevents the rays from being 
counted. 
Brosmivs. Cuv. 
Generic characters. Body elongated; a single 
dorsal fin extending the whole length of the back ; 
one barbule at the chin; ventral fins fleshy. 
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