HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 41 



slightly recurved, and capable of being elevated or depressed at the will of the fish ; 

 the anterior of these is situated over the silvery plate back of the branchial orifice ; 

 the posterior is above the middle of the pectorals. Just anterior to the origin of the 

 dorsal fin, and almost connected with it, is another very minute spine, which is naked 

 throughout the greater portion of its extent. 



The dorsal fin is longer than high ; its posterior rays are very short. 



The pectorals are elongated, broad, and fan-shaped when expanded. In front of the 

 pectorals two prominent, acute, serrated spines, with a bony process at their external 

 base, are observed in place of the ventrals. Between these spines is situated a bony 

 plate formed like the head of a lance, granulated upon its surface, serrated at its edges, 

 with a central carina. (Plate VII I. Fig. S.) 



The anal commences posterior to the dorsal, and terminates on a line with that fin. 

 Like the dorsal, it is preceded by an exceedingly minute spine. 



The caudal is scarcely emarginated. 



The fin rays are as follows: — D. 2- I - IL P. 10. V. 1. A. 1-6. C. 12. 

 Length two inches to two and a half. 



Remarks. Specimens of this species were brought me by my son, Horatio R. Storer, 

 from small pools of water left at low tide on the rocks at Nahant, and also from 

 the marshes at Brookline. Captain Atwood has likewise sent me individuals from 

 Provincetown. 



Massachusetts, Storer. New York, Mitchill, Dekay. Nova Scotia, H. R. Storer. 

 New Brunswick, Perley. 



This species may perhaps have been the one referred to by Forster and Pennant ; 

 but it does not seem to be the Northern Two-spined Stickleback, which has been 

 lately described by Girard from specimens brought from Labrador by my son, under 

 the name of G. CuvierL 



Gasterosteus quadracus, MitcMlL 



The Four-spined Stickleback. 



(Plate VIIL Fig. 4.) 



Gasterosteus ^adracns^ Four-spined Sticklehack, Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 430, pi. 1, %• 1^- 



VEpinoche h qmttre aiguilles (Gasterosteus quadracus^ Mitch,), Cuv. et Vajs., iv. p. 504. 



UEpinoche k hassinfrndu {Gasterostms apeltes, Cuv.), Cuv, et Vai.., iv. p. 505. 



Gasterosteus apeltes, Bloody Stickleback, Storer, Report, p. 31. 



Gasterosteus quadracus^ Four-spined StickMack^ Dekay, Report, p. 67, pL 6, fig. 18, 



«« «' <« " Storer, Mem. Amer. Aca^., New Series, ii, p. 315. 



" " « " Storer, Synopsis, p. 63, 



VOL. V. NEW SERIES, 13 



