404 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



This not uncommon species in Massachusetts Bay is frequently seen after severe 

 storms thrown upon our beaches. Occasionally it is taken while fishing for cod, 

 with the hook ; and it is also caught in nets set for menhaden ; generally, however, 

 it is found attached to sea-weed and other substances floating near the shore. 



Eichardson tells us that '' the Greenlanders eat its flesh, either cooked or dried, and 

 its skin raw, throwing away only the tubercles " ; and Dr. Neal observes, " that it is 

 purchased at Edinburgh for the table." With us, however, it is not used as an article 

 of food. The common weights of this fish are from three to four pounds, and from 

 six to twelve pounds. The largest specimen I have met with was taken in January, 

 1843, and weighed eighteen pounds and three quarters. 



Greenland, Fabricius. Maine, Massachusetts, Storer. New York, Mitchill, De- 



KAY. 



FAMILY XXL ECHENEIDJE. 



With a flattened disk upon the top of the head, composed of numerous carti- 

 laginous transverse plates, directed obliquely backwards, dentated or spinous at their 

 posterior edge, and movable, by means of w^hich they are enabled to attach them- 

 selves to other substances. 



GENUS ECHENEIS, Lm. 



Body elongated, covered with very small scales. A single dorsal fin, placed oppo- 

 site the anal. Head very flat, covered with a disk; mouth wide, with numerous 

 small, recurved teeth on both jaws, tongue, and vomer. 



ECHENEIS ALBICAUDA, MitcMlL 



The White-tailed Eemora. 

 (Plate XXXII. Fia. 3.) 



Ecfieneis dbicauda, WMte4aiIed Remora, Mitchill, Amer. MontHy Magazine, ii. p. 244. 



Echeneis naucrates, The Indian Remora, Storer, Report, p. 153. 



Eckmeis alhicauda^ White-tmled Femora , Dekat, Report, p. 307, pi. 54, iig. 177. 



« ^< " " Storer, Best. Joarn. Nat. Hist., it. p. 183. 



(t *f " " " Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, ii. p. 483. 



« « «' " " Synopsis, p. 231. 



Color. Above, of a grayish-slate color ; ligbter upon tbe sides, with a dark baud, 

 wMcb, commencing at the tip of tbe lower jaw as a small black point, runs along 

 its margin to tbe angle of the jaw, where it expands to a band which passes to the 

 tail, interrupted only by the eyes ; in front of the pectorals this band is only two 



