88 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



the head. TJie scales are rooiidedj smooth at their edge with concentric striae. Its 

 greatest depth is equal to about one seventh its whole length. The length of the head is 

 rather more than one jfifth the whole length of the bodj. The eyes are horizontally 

 oval ; their greatest diameter is equal to one fourth the length of the head ; the distance 

 between the eyes is equal to their greatest diameter. The upper jaw is slightly the longer 

 when the mouth is closed; the lower jaWj when closed^ is situated obliquely with regard 

 to the upper; both jaws are armed with minute teeth. The mouth is very protractile. 



The first dorsal fin arises at a distance back of the posterior extremity of the pectorals 

 about equal to half the length of the head. It is subtriangular when expanded, with a 

 very delicate connecting membrane. Its first ray is shorter than the three next posterior ; 

 the last ray is connected to the dorsum by a prolongation of the connecting membrane* 



The second dorsal fin is situated back of the first, at a distance equal to that at which 

 the first dorsal is back of the extremities of the pectorals. This fin is quadrate, slightly 

 emarginated above ; its posterior ray projects slightly beyond the preceding rays. 



The pectoral fins commence directly back of the upper part of the operculum ; their 

 highest rays are equal to three quarters the length of the head ; the length of the fin is 

 equal to one third of its height. The upper rays are as high again as the lower rays, 

 when unexpanded. These fins cover a portion of the silvery lateral band. 



The ventral fins are fan-shaped, and arise on a line opposite the posterior rays of the 

 pectorals ; their rays are multifid ; they are connected at the inner edge of their base by 

 a delicate membrane. 



The anal fin is situated just back of the commencement of the first dorsal fin ; it is 

 much elongated, and terminates just posterior to the second dorsal. Its first eight or ten 

 rays are much the highest. 



The caudal fin is deeply emarginated. The height of its outer rays is equal to the 

 height of the pectorals. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 5 -9, P. 12. V. 5. A. 25. C. 18. 



Remarks, This species, specimens of which I have received from Holmes's Hole and 

 Provincetown, in the spring and autumn accompanies the smelt in large numbers into the 

 mouth of Charles River at Boston, and is taken by the boys, by whom it is invariably 

 called the Capelin ; which is the common name of the Mallotus villosus. In the third 

 volume of the Massachusetts Historical Collections, for 1794, this fish is called the Athe- 

 rina (menidia), Lin., and is spoken of as being " found in great abundance in the River 

 Piscataqua, in the months of August and September.^' The author's name is not men- 

 tioned, but we suppose it to be Professor Peck, who then resided at Kittery, N. PI. 



New Hampshire, Peck. Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut^ Linsley, Ayres. 

 New York, Mitchill, Cuvier, Dekay. South Carolina, Cuvier. 



