Fishes of Massachusetts. 503 
The Pectorals arise under the posterior angle of 
the gill-covers; in length they are one third less 
than the head. From the base of the pectorals, a 
slight membrane extends along the whole lower part 
of the abdomen on both sides, scarcely perceptible 
towards the tail. 
The Anal fin is just one third the length of the _ 
whole body. 
The Caudal fin is forked. 
The fin rays are: D. 61; P. 13; A. 28; C. 14. 
This species is evidently not the “ lancea.” To 
mention no other character, the dorsal fin in the 
M lancea? commences on a line with the middle of 
` the pectoral fin. Although the “tobianus” attains 
— the length of several inches more than any of the 
Y Specimens before me, and differs somewhat in the 
number of its fin rays, yet the general characters . AR 
the foreign species and our fish coincide so nearly, * 
that I am led to believe them to be the same. = 
On several portions of the coast of Great Britain, 
these fishes are readily eaten by the poorer classes. 
But as more palatable species are easily obtained 
with us, they are allowed to collect on the shore in 
large quantities, to be devoured by their numerous 
enemies, among which the Cuttle fish prey upon 
them voraciously, 
Since writing the above description, I have re- 
ceived a fine specimen, five and a half inches in 
length, from Nahant, which satisfies me perfectly as 
to this species being the “tobianus.”’ In this speci- 
men the fin rays are as follows: D. 54; P. 13; A. 
i C. 17. 
bs 
