Fishes of Massachusetts. 553 
“ Dorsal fins low, separated ; the second united 
with the caudal fin, which is rounded ; back and 
sides, reddish ; abdomen white; the color separated 
by an undulating line. Anterior part of the body 
subcylindric, posterior part compressed, and tapering 
to the tail; nape of the neck elevated; head de- 
clivous, prolonged into a snout furnished with a lip 
having two short rounded lobes ; these lobes, when 
the mouth is closed, embrace and conceal the lower 
lip which is very short ; the nostrils are small, and 
placed in the centre of a white oval, pellucid disk, 
easily moveable; on the inside of the upper lip, 
there are small granules, and at the opening of the 
throat small ramified papillae; the branchial aper- 
tures are placed in a longitudinal depression, oblique 
and a little curved, the first aperture is above the 
angle of the mouth ; on each side of the head there 
is a whitish spot, vides should seem to indicate 
the position of the eyes, that this species is deficient 
of, in common with the “P. ruber"* of Europe. - 
The annular or ribbed appearance of the sides of this 
fish is owing to the muscles, which are endued with 
great strength, in order to enable it to burrow in the 
muddy sands of rivers, where it penetrates in a ser- 
pentine manner, by means of its snout, the large 
lip of which performs the functions of a terrier. 
The European species is generally taken, when the 
small rivers are cleansed of the superabundant sand 
* * Lampetra caeca ; Willughby, p. 107, C. 3, fig. 1. Pet. rouge; La 
Cepede, tome ii. page 100.” 
VOL. IL.—NO. III—IV. 52 
