390 HIbTORY OF TPIE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



ino' tlie tail The mouth i^ small, the lips are fleshy. A single row of compact, 

 prominent, incurved, trenchant teeth, slightly notched on the cutting edge, form a 

 continuous line from the angle to the centre of each jaw. On the upper jaw is 

 one tooth, on the lower jaw are two teeth, on the side of the jaw next the colored 

 side. The right half of the jaws, or the half next the colored side of the fish, eden- 

 tate. The eyes are large, oblong ; their longest diameter less than one fifth the 

 length of the head. The space between the eyes, which is covered with scales, 

 at its middle portion is equal in width to about one third the long diameter of 



the eye. 



The lateral line, commencing at the anterior inferior angle of the inferior eye, 

 curves backwards and upwards just behind the eyes to the posterior angle of the 

 upper eye, then passes backwards along the edge of the gill-covers to the superior 

 angle of the operculum, from whence, after making a slight curve over the pec- 

 torals, it pursues a straight course to the tail. 



The dorsal fin commences anterior to the middle of the upper eye, and grad- 

 ually increases in the length of its rays towards its posterior half, when it beauti- 

 fully curves to its termination, at the origin of the fleshy portion of the tail. 



The pectorals are situated just beneath the posterior angle of the operculum: 

 their height is nearly equal to half the length of the head; the central rays are 

 bifid at their posterior extremities. 



The ventrals, which are of moderate size, arise on a line just anterior to the 

 pectorals, and their extremities project beyond the commencement of the anal fin. 



At the origin of the anal fin is situated a strong spine, which is nearly con- 

 cealed by the flesh. 



The anal fin arises on a line with the anterior third of the pectorals, and ter- 

 minates opposite the termination of the dorsal fin. 



The caudal fin is rounded when expanded. 



The rays of the fins are scaled, — and the extremities of those of the dorsal and 

 anal are free. 



The fin rays are as follows: — D. 61, P. 10. V. 6. A. 46-48. C. 17. 



Length, from twelve to twenty-one inches. 



Remarks. This is the most common flat-fish taken in the waters of Massa- 

 chusetts. It is captured in considerable quantities throughout all the warm season 

 of the year near the shore, from the wharves and bridges; and in the winter is 

 speared through the ice. The finest brought to Boston market are taken from 

 around Deer Island, — and those from that locality frequently measure from twelve 



