Fishes of Massachusetts. E^. 
inch. Humeral orifices directly back of the eyes; 
and in their transverse diameter equal to the length 
of the eye. The ventrals lighter colored than the 
rest of the body ; the rays digitated at the extrem- 
ities. The dorsal fins equal in length ; the anterior 
a little higher than the posterior; both rounded; 
separated about half an inch; the posterior termi- 
nates within an inch of the extremity of the tail, by 
a membranous prolongation, which is more elevated 
at the posterior extremity. All the under portion 
of the body, of a dingy white color, perfectly smooth, 
with the exception of a very few spines, hardly per- 
ceptible except by the touch, on each side of the 
commencement of the caudal fins, and a small patch 
of equally minute spines upon the middle of the tail, 
just in front of the termination of the ventral fins. 
Mucous pores are scattered over the greater portion 
of the under surface, appearing like black dots, iu 
most instances distributed in a regular manner, al- 
though a longitudinal line of them is seen towards 
the middle of the pectorals, and another transverse 
one at the base of the ventrals. Gape of the mouth, 
large. Jaws composed of compact, hexaedral teeth, 
forming almost a plane surface, the inner angle of 
the innermost middle ones beginning to become 
acute. Nostrils, a short distance in front of the 
mouth ; this distance is equal to half the length of 
the mouth. Five branchial apertures, situated ob- 
liquely ; the anterior largest, the posterior much the 
smallest. The pectoral rays, very obvious beneath. 
Anal opening, oblong. 
A male specimen lying before me, 54 inches long 
