428 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



is equal to one third the length of the fish. The facial angle is oblique, grad- 

 ually sloping from the dorsal spine to the tip of the snout. The mouth is turned 

 upwards. The teeth are sharp, pointed. The eyes are large and circular. The 

 nostril is situated just in front of the anterior superior margin of the orbit. The 

 branchial aperture is oblique. 



The dorsal spine is short and serrated, having at its posterior base, connected 

 by a membrane, a minute rudimentary spine. 



The dorsal fin commences on the anteiior half of the body ; its central rays are 



the highest. 



The pectoral fins are situated on a line beneath the eyes. 



The anal fin commences opposite the dorsal, and terminates posterior to it. 



The middle caudal rays are the highest ; and all the rays, except the two outer, 

 are filamentous. 



Length, eight inches. 



The fin rays are as follows, in four specimens : — 



D. 2, 32. P. 10. A. 34. C. 12. 



D. 2, 36. P. 12 or 13. A. 36. C. 12. 

 D. 2, 37. P. 13. A. 40. C. 12- 



D. 2, 38. P. 13. A. 42. C. 12. 



Remarks. I have seen a single specimen only of this species which has been 

 taken in our waters. This was an immature fish sent me by Dr. Yale, from 

 Holmes's Hole. As I had not met with Dr. MitchilFs paper on the " Fishes of 

 New York," contained in the American Monthly Magazine, I described it in my 

 " Report " as the J., monoceros^ Bloch. Dekay, with recent specimens of the ma- 

 ture fish before him, was enabled to correct my error; and, through the kindness 

 of J. Carson Breyoort, of Brooklyn, New York, to whom I have already expressed 

 my indebtedness, I haye been furnished with recent specimens, and notes, by which 

 I am enabled to present the present description and remarks. 



The color of this species yaries exceedingly. Some specimens are almost as 

 yellow as the Monacanthus aurantiacus ; but most of them are of a dusky olive- 

 brown, with cloudings of darker hue, and the series of spots of metallic brassy- 

 yellow ; while Dekay observes that he has seen them of a uniform brown, with- 

 out any spots or clouds whatsoever. Brevoort tells me the species is very common 

 in the month of September, and up to October 15 th, in the narrow channels of the 

 marshy Jamaica Bay. They are taken in nets altogether. 



Massachusetts, Stobee. New York, Mitchill, Dekay. 



