F'ishes of Massachusetts. . 489 
ofthe base. 'The rays of each fin are covered by 
scales; and those projecting backwards, present a 
Very beautiful serrated appearance, more strongly 
marked on the right side of the body, the scales of 
the fins on the left side being colorless. The in- 
terstices between the fin rays, are black. 
The fin rays are; D. 52; V. 4; A. 40; C. 16. 
Although Mitchell’s description is generally cor-. 
tect, and might have been copied, had I not deter- 
mined to describe each species, so far as possible, 
from recent specimens, one point requires correction. 
€ says, “it is soft and mucous, without a spine or 
prickle about him." Whoever will carefully ex- 
amine this species, will observe, imbedded in the 
surrounding flesh, a strong compressed spine two 
thirds of a line in length, situated directly in front of 
the upper eye, and in a line with it, just back of 
the commencement of the dorsal fin, almost entirely 
concealed. This evidently escaped the notice of 
Mitchell, as in other respects he is clear and satis- 
factory, 
I cannot speak so well of his figure, for the dor- ` 
sal fin, instead of commencing in front of the eyes, 
is represented as taking its origin some distance 
k of them; the anal is figured as beginning 
too far back; and the base of the tail appears as if 
distorted. 
VOL. 11.—No. III-IV. 44 
