00 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



above, cheeks slightlj protoberaiit. Opercles entire, though their suture is plainly visible- 

 Space between edges of interopercula of moderate size. Jaws nearly equal, the lip of 

 the upper, which is protractile, a little projecting ; the tip of lower jaw with a pointed 

 knob, which fits into a corresponding cavity above. Gape of mouth moderate and tri- 

 angular ; outer edge of upper jaw with a single row of very minute teeth, those on lower 

 jaw scarcely perceptible, even if present. Nostrils double ; the posterior near upper 

 anterior angle of eye ; the anterior smallest and rounded. Eyes large, their diameter 

 equal to about two thirds the distance between them ; with a thick gelatinous membranej 

 which more than covers them, and extends to some distance around. 



Scales throughout body, large, rounded, engraved ; present also upon throat and top of 

 head ; in which latter locality some of them are strangely channelled and grooved, as if 

 by worms. 



First dorsal commences just behind a line midway between pectorals and second 

 dorsal Moderate, rounded triangular ; its rays spinous, the second the longest, the last 

 the smallest and least stout. When shut, concealed nearly from view. Rays so ar- 

 ranged as to fall alternately upon opposite sides of the median line when fin is closed. 



Second dorsal quadrangular, emarginated posteriorly, or rather superiorly ; fleshy. 



Pectorals subtriangular, slightly falciform ; with a large, delicate, and movable axil- 

 lary scale, 



Ventrals with a movable pelvic plate, their first ray spinous and welded to the next^ 

 the rest branched ; in advance of the pectorals. 



Anal commences slightly in front of second dorsal, and terminates about on a line with 

 it; the first three rays progressively increase in length, the first of them being very short, 

 and are spinous. 



Caudal deeply emarginated. 



The fin rays are as follows: — D. 4-9. P. 16. V. 1^5. A. 3-10. C. 14. 



Length ten inches. 



Remarks, Dekay says this species '^ was first detected on our coast by Dr. Mitchill, 

 who sent a specimen, with the name and a description, many years ago." Cuvier, in his 

 Histoire Naturelle des Poissons^ accepts the specific name of Mitchill. 



The only individual of this species I have known to be taken in our waters was found 

 by Captain Atwood on the northern side of Long Point, Provincetown, November 7th, 

 1851, where it had run ashore. 



Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Ayres, Linsley. New York, Mitchill, Cu- 

 vier, Dekay. 



