74 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS, 



Palinurus peeciformis, Dehay. 



The Black Pilot 



(Plate XIIL Fig-. 3.) 



Eudder-Jishj or Perch Corf/pliene, Mitchill, Trans. Lit and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. pi 6, fig. 7. No description. 



« « " Coryphwna perciformis, MiTCMii^jj, Amel\'^io^lth.'Msig., II, ^. 2i4. 



Tiachinotus argenteus^ Stoeeb, Keport, p. 53. 

 PaUnurm perciformls, Black Pilot, Dekay, Report, p. 118, pi. 24, fig. 25. 



" w Stoheb, Mem. Amcr. Acad., New Series, II. p. 351. 



« « " Synopsis, p. 9&. 



Colo7\ Of a bluish-white color upon the sides, cohered with mioote black punctures, 

 the lower portion of the sides and abdomen of a lighter color ; the top of the head and 

 back mottled with black blotches. In the immature fish the color is a dark brown, varie- 

 gated with yellow patches. 



Description. The body of this fish is oblong. The head in length is equal to one 

 fourth that of the body ; a bony ridge is observed over the eyes ; the diameter of the 

 eyes is rather more than one fourth the length of the head. The operculum is large, 

 naked, of a horny texture, margined by a membrane. The preoperculum is strongly ser- 

 rated throughout, more conspicuously posteriorly. A depression exists upon the top of 

 the head between the eyes. The distance between the eyes is equal to twice the diam- 

 eter of the eyes. The nostrils are situated directly in front of the anterior superior angle 

 of the eyes ; the posterior is much the larger. The jaws are of equal length, with small, 

 sharp teeth ; the upper jaw descends abruptly. 



The lateral line commences high above the operculum, and, curving over the pectorals 

 to their extremities, pursues a straight course to the tail. 



The dorsal fin, whose fleshy portion is preceded by eight spinous rays, commences 

 back of a line opposite the posterior angle of the operculum, and is continued to the 

 fleshy portion of the tail. 



The pectorals are just beneath the posterior angle of the operculum ; they are as long 

 again as high. 



The ventrals are more than half the length of the pectorals ; their outer ray is spi- 

 nous. 



The anal fin arises just in the middle of the body, and is as long again as high ; this 

 fin is preceded by three spinous rays. 



The caudal fin is quite deeply lunated* 



Length, about twelve inches. 



ThefinraysareasfoUows: — D. 8^22, P. 19 to 21. V. 1-5. A.3-17- C. ISf. 



