HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS, 47 



The length of the pectorals is less than one third their height. 



The Tentrals arise in front of the posterior half of the pectorals ; extremities miiltifid ; 

 first ray stoutest. 



The caudal is deeply emarginated; the npper lobe pointed, the lower broad and 

 rounded at extremities ; about as high as long. 



The fin rays are D. 10-26. P. 21. V. 6. A. 10. C. 18. 

 or D, 9-26. P. 19. V. 5. A. 10. C. 17. 



Length sixteen and a half inches. 



Remarks. In mj "Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts/' published in 1839, 1 admit- 

 ted this species under the name of Umbrina nebiilosa. As Dekay^ in his "Report on 

 the Fishes of New York,'' published in 1842^ accepted the opinion of CuFier, that it was 

 identical with the Perca albwnus of Linnaeus, I felt in a measure compelled to coincide ; 

 and consequently in my " Synopsis of the Fishes of North America " I introduced it as 

 the Umbrina albiirnMS, Convinced that our species is distinct from the Southern fishj 

 I have resumed my former opinion. 



This species must be very rare in our waters. The specimen belonging to the Natu- 

 ral History Society of this city was captured in a lobster-pot at the Boston light-house, 

 previous to the year 1833. In 1840^ a specimen was taken at Lynn, and was referred 

 to by me in the Journal of the Natural History Society. In July, I8465 Captain 

 Atwood caught one at Provincetown ; and in Novembers 1847, a second specimen 

 at the same place. Both of these latter specimens were taken in nets, while fishing for 

 mackerel These are all of which I have any knowledge. 



Massachusetts, Stoeer. Connecticutj Ayees, Lin s ley. New York^ Mitchill, 

 Dekay. 



FAMILY IV. SFAKID.E. 



This family is characterized by the opercular pieces being unarmed ; the palate tooth- 

 less ; the jaws not protractile ; scales large. Branchial rays not exceeding six. 



GENUS I. SABGUS, Cot. 



Trenchant incisors in front of the jaws, almost similar to those of man ; molars 

 rounded. 



