220 HISTOEY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The lateral line is indistinct;, — high up on the back; mucous pores somewhat similar 

 in appearance, scattered throughout upper back 



The first dorsal fin is small and subquadrangular ; its height equalling its length ; and 

 each about one third the length of the head. 



The second dorsal is very small, about one third as large as the first, from which it 

 also differs in another respect, its posterior margin being the longer ; whereas in the 

 first it is the anterior. It is situated posterior to the middle point between the first 

 dorsal and caudal fin. 



The pectorals are very large ; their length is nearly four times their height, reaching 

 beyond the middle of the first dorsal, — triangular, slightly falciform; the apex and 

 posterior angle being rounded. These fins are situated just posterior to the middle 

 point, between the end of the snout and the first dorsal. 



The ventrals are moderate sized ; height and length about equal ; placed on a line 

 about midway between the first and second dorsals. 



The anal fin is small, of the size of the second dorsal, and of same form as that fin, 

 save that its anterior border is slightly more rounded, and its margin more deeply cleft 

 directly beneath that fin. 



The caudal fin is slender, elongated, about two ninths the entire length. The upper 

 lobe is little more than twice as long as the lower, and less stout ; the preceding carinae 

 but little marked ; a well marked notch above and below, before the caudal 



Length, nine to ten feet. 



Bemarks. The specimen described by me in the Boston Journal of Natural History 

 was captured at Nahant, July 10th, 1839, and measured nine and a half feet. The one 

 above described was sent to me from Provincetown, by Captain Atwood, October 30th, 

 1851. This is not a conamon species in the waters of Massachusetts. It sometimes 

 floats ashore in the night, like the Goose-fish, — Lophius Americanus, — or becomes en- 

 tangled in mackerel-nets, like the mackerel shark — Lamna punctata. 



Massachusetts, Stoeer. 



