HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF 31ASSACHUSETTS. 323 



romidiiig tliem having partially disappeared, they seem distinct from the circular spots, 

 or are surrounded by a dull-bluish halo ; these red spots differ exceedingly in number 

 in different specimens ; in some, three or four only are observable, and these are situated 

 below the lateral line ; in others, twenty or more are seen, scattered above and below 

 the lateral line indiscriminately, presenting a beautiful appearance. The body beneath 

 is white, yellowish-white, slightly or dark fuliginous. Head above, darker than the 

 back of the fish. Gill-covers golden, with fuliginous. The dorsal fin is yellow, with 

 irregular tranverse black bands. The first ray of the pectorals and ventrals is white, 

 the second is dark-colored, the remainder red. The first ray of the anal fin is white ; 

 the remainder of the fin is generally red. The caudal fin is of a dirty reddish-brown, 

 mottled with black spots. 



Description. Body elongated, compressed. The length of the head is equal to about 

 one fifth the whole length of the fish ; the top of the head is flattened ; the snout is 

 obtuse. The eyes are large and circular. The distance between the eyes is equal to 

 one fifth the length of the head. The jaws are equal in length ; the gape of the mouth 

 is large ; the teeth are sharp and recurved ; the teeth on the tongue are larger than 

 those in the jaws ; there are teeth also on the palatines and vomer. The scales are ^ 

 very small ; those on the lateral line, which pursues a straight course, are larger than 

 those on the rest of the body. 



The quadrangular dorsal fin is situated upon the anterior half of the body ; the adi- 

 pose fin is quite small, and near the tail. 



The pectorals arise in front of the posterior angle of the operculum ; their length is 

 equal to one quarter of their height. 



The fan-shaped ventrals commence opposite the middle of the dorsal fin ; when un- 

 expanded, their extremities together form a sharp point. 



The anal fin arises in front of the adipose fin, and is higher than long. 



The caudal fin is deeply emarginated. 



The fin rays are as follows: — • D. 11. P. 13. V. 8. A. 11. C. 19. 



Length, eight to twenty inches. 



Remarks. This is quite a common species in our waters. It is frequently met with 

 in the market, where it is readily sold. It is a delicious fish, and is much valued by 

 epicures. It is taken at Sandwich in considerable quantities, not less than one thousand 

 pounds yearly. It is quite common to find them in the wells in the vicinity of Sand- 

 wich, living there for years and attaining a large size. 



It varies from a quarter of a pound to a pound and a half. Dr. Dekay speaks of a 

 specimen weighing four and a half pounds ; and Mr. Henry Blood, of New Bedford, 



