UC-NRLF 628 LM357J If, 1MHH mm Ml THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESENTED BY PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID IV. A History of the Fishes of Massachusetts. BY DAVID HUMPHREYS STOEER, M. D., A. A. S. As one of the Commissioners on the Zoology of Massachusetts, in the year 1839, I prepared a Report on the Ichthyology of the State. From the brief time occupied in its preparation, it was necessarily imperfect, and, not being accompanied by figures, was comparatively useless, except to scientific men. Since the appearance of that communication, much information has been obtained respecting several of the most common and valuable fishes, and quite a number of new species have been ascertained to exist in our waters. Having carefully re-described all the species, I trust the following paper will present an accurate history of the fishes of our State. Considering this as the completion of my former Report, I have kept in view the primary object of the commission, to ascer- tain the value of our Fauna in an economical point of view, rather than to prepare labored scientific descriptions. To all who have aided me since this paper was commenced, or rather since my attention was first directed to our ichthyology, I would return my grateful acknowledg- ments. The following gentlemen, to whom in my previous Report I remarked I was under peculiar obligations, I cannot pass by unnoticed : Thomas Kidder, Esq., of the General Inspection Office, Boston, for his polite attention in furnishing me with all the statistical information in his power regarding the quantities of fish inspected in the State ; C. R. Vickery, Esq., of Taunton, for his very acceptable remarks respecting the fisheries of Taunton River ; Hiram Hosmer, M. D., of Watertown, for his numerous and valuable facts con- cerning the fisheries of Charles River; VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 8 50 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. Elisha Bartlett, M. D., of Lowell, for his interesting account of the fisheries of the Merrimack River ; J. B. Forsyth, M. D., of Chelsea, formerly of Sandwich, for much useful information respecting the fishes taken along " the Cape " ; Jonathan Johnson, Jr., of Nahant, for several very rare species, and many valuable observations concerning more common fishes. To Captain Nathaniel Blanchard, a veteran fisherman of Lynn, and Leroy M. Yale, M. D., of Holmes's Hole, I am most deeply indebted ; to the former, for his constant and unwearied efforts to serve me amid the fatigues of his arduous occupation, during the entire period I was engaged in the State Survey, and for many judicious remarks and valuable details imparted to me, respecting the fishes and fisheries of the northern shore of Massachusetts Bay ; and to the latter, for his invaluable aid. To him I am not only obliged for specimens of nearly one fifth of all the species I have described, and which, but for him, I could not have procured, but also for many specimens of more common species, and much valuable information respecting them. Since these obser- vations were made, my excellent friend, Dr. Yale, while in the faithful discharge of his professional duties, contracted a malignant disease, the attack of which he survived but a few days. By his death, science has lost an enthusiastic votary, and his profession a most honorable member. During the last six or eight years, no individual has rendered me such essential assistance as Captain Nathaniel . Atwood, of Provincetown. For nearly thirty years a practical fisherman, thoroughly acquainted with the habits of most of our fishes, and willing and ready to do all in his power to advance my wishes, he has placed me under obligations which I cannot express. For several fishes never before described, and for much acceptable information respecting each of our marketable species, I am indebted to him, the best practical ichthyologist in our State. To Professor Agassiz my thanks are due for many valuable suggestions in the prepa- ration of this work, and to his accomplished draughtsman, Mr. Sonrel, for the admirable plates which illustrate it. In my nomenclature, I have been guided, as far as possible, by the principle which would give the credit of a species to the author who first placed it under its appropriate genus. This plan, I am led to understand, is about being adopted by our most eminent naturalists. In addition to the works mentioned in my " Synopsis of the Fishes of North America," the following have been consulted in the preparation of this paper : HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 51 Richardson. Report on North American Zoology. London. 1837. Schomburghk. History of Barbados. London. 1848. Zoology of Beechey's Voyage to the Pacific. 4to. London. 1839. Magasin de Zoologie, par Guerin de Meneville. 8vo. Paris. Agassiz. Lake Superior. 8vo. Boston. 1850. Storer, H. R. Observations on the Fishes of Nova Scotia and Labrador, in Boston Journal of Natural History, Vol. VI. 1850. Perky. Catalogue of the Fishes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Frederickton. 1837. CLASS I. OSSEOUS FISHES. SKELETON bony, the osseous matter being deposited in fibres. Sutures of the cranium distinct, with maxillary or intermaxillary bones, always one, and generally both, present. Gill-membrane with rays. ORDER I. ACANTHOPTERYGII. SPINE-RAYED. They are known by the spines which represent the first rays of the dorsal fin, or which alone sustain the anterior fin of the back, when they have two. Sometimes, instead of an anterior dorsal fin, they have nothing but a few free spines. Their anal fin has also some spines instead of the first rays, and there is, in general, one to each ventral. FAMILY I. PERCHLE. Comprehends fishes with an elongated body, covered with hard or rough scales, in which the operculum or preoperculum, and frequently both, have indented or spinous edges, and in which the jaws, the front of the vomer, and almost always the palatines, are furnished with teeth. GENUS I. PERCA, Ccv. Two dorsal fins distinct, separated ; the rays of the first spinous, those of the second flexible ; tongue smooth ; teeth in both jaws, in front of the vomer, and on the palatine bones ; preoperculum notched below, serrated on the posterior edge ; operculum bony, ending in a flattened point directed backwards. Branchiostegous rays. Scales rough- ened, and not easily detached. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. ; PERCA FLAVESCENS, Cuv. The American Yellow Perch. (PLATE II. FIG. 1.) Bodiamis flavescens, Yellow Perch, MITCHILL, Trans Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 421. La Perche jaunatre d'Jimiriquc, Perca flavescens, Cuv. et VAL., Hist. Nat. des Poissons, n. p. 46. Perca flavescens, American Perch, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 1, pi. 74. " " Common Perch of Massachusetts, STOKER, Massachusetts Report, p. 5. Bodiamis flanescens, Yellow Perch, KIRTLAND, Rep. on Zool. of Ohio, pp. 168, 190. Perca flavcscms, Yellow Perch, KIRTLAND, Bost Journ. Nat. Hist., v. p. 337, pi. 27, fig. 2. " " American, Yellow Perch, DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 3, pi. 1, fig. 1. " " AYRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 256. " " American Yellow Perch, LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. La Perche a operculesgrenv.es, Perca strrato-granulata, Cuv. et VAL., n. p. 47. Perca serrato-granulata, GRIFFITH'S CUT., x. pi. 39, fig. 1. '< " DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 5, pi. 22, fig. 64. " " Common Perch, THOMPSON, Hist. Vermont, p. 129. La Perche it t(.te grenue, Perca granulata, Cuv. et VAX.., YII. p. 48, pi. 49. Perca granulata, JARUIM., Nat. Lib., i. p. 92, pi 1. " " DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 5, pi. 48, fig. 220. " " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. La Perche a museau pointu, Perca acuta, Cuv. et VAL., n. p. 49, pi. 10. Perca acuta, Sharp-nosed Perch, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 4. " " " Yellow Perch, DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 6, pi. 68, fig. 222. La Perche gr&le, Perca gracilis, Cuv. et VAL., n. p. 50. Perca gracilis, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 4. " " Slender Yellow Perch, DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 6. Perca flavescens, STORER, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 269. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 17. " " AGASSIZ, Lake Superior, p. 291. Color. Above of a greenish-yellow ; sides golden-yellow, crossed by seven trans- verse dark bands, all broader above than below, and those upon the middle of the body broadest. Abdomen white ; lower jaw tinged with pink. Centre of operculum of a deep green. Head darker than rest of body. Pupils back ; irides golden. Dorsal and caudal fins yellowish-brown ; pectorals yellow ; ventrals and anal a bright scarlet. Description. The length of the head is less than one fourth of the entire length. Top of head broad and flattened ; that portion of it between and in front of eyes is naked, and covered by a smooth membrane ; the portion back of eyes is bony, and roughened by raised, radiating striae. The preoperculum is scaled, and serrated along its entire edge, save a small portion of its superior posterior angle, which is naked and smooth. The operculum is a subtriangular bone, covered at its upper part by a few scales, but otherwise almost entirely scaleless, and exhibiting numerous raised lines diverging to its outer edge, which presents in some instances a few serrations, and terminates posteriorly in a sharp angle or spine. The subopercle is scaled above, naked beneath, and minutely denticulated along its edge. The scapulary bones are HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 53 slightly corrugated by striae. The humeral bones are strongly denticulated. Eyes of moderate size, preceded by several mucous pores. The anterior nostril much in advance of the posterior, which is the larger. The lateral line commences at the humeral bone, and, assuming the curve of the body, is continued to the base of the tail. The first dorsal fin arises nearly on a line with the pectorals ; its height is equal to one third of its length. The rays are very stout, their naked extremities projecting above the transparent membrane connecting them ; fin rounded posteriorly. I have seen several specimens in which the fourth and sixth rays of this fin were about one half the height of the third and fifth rays, and the connecting membrane was con- tinued directly above their extremities, as if they were absent. The membrane stretch- ing from the last ray of the first dorsal fin extends to the first of the second dorsal. The second dorsal is subquadrangular, rounded above ; it is more than half the length of the first. The first ray is very minute, and, as well as the second, is spinous ; the third ray is simple : all the soft rays are articulated. The pectorals arise just beneath the humeral bone. They are quite long ; fan- shaped ; their rays are bifurcated and articulated. The ventrals are subtriangular ; they arise at a distance back of the pectorals equal to one third their height ; their outer ray is a strong spine, the others are multifid. The anal is higher than long, and arises about opposite the middle of the second dorsal ; its first two rays are spinous, the first less than one half the height of the second. The caudal is deeply emarginate. The fin rays are as follows: B. 7. D. 13. 2-13. P. 15. V. 1 -5. A. 2-8. C. 18. Length 12 to 15 inches. In this species, as in many others, I have represented two scales, one from the lateral line, and one from above it, whose characters will sufficiently distinguish them. Remarks. This species is universally distributed throughout the State. In the spring and autumn, it is frequently found in the market, and is readily sold. When young, it usually swims in extensive shoals, while the larger ones remain in the deepest water, and by themselves. It does not take its food timidly, but seizes it instantly without nibbling. It is not only caught with the hook in summer, but also through the ice in winter, with pickerel, and in pretty large quantities in brooks while netting for alewives. Individuals are seldom taken which measure more than twelve or fifteen inches in length. Mr. Ayres has seen a specimen weighing two and a half pounds, and 54 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. Dekay has caught them weighing nearly three pounds. This species has been re- peatedly transported from one pond to another with complete success. Dr. Mitchill transferred them a distance of forty miles. It has been noticed in Maine, Massachusetts, STOKER ; New Hampshire, H. R. STORER; Vermont, THOMPSON ; Connecticut, AYRES ; New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY; Pennsylvania, HALDEMAN ; Ohio, KIRTLAND ; and in all the ponds and streams of the great lakes, RICHARDSON, AGASSIZ ; New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, PERLEY. GENUS II. LABRAX, Cuv. Distinguished from the Perch by the scaly opercula, terminating with two spines, and by a tongue covered with prickles. LABRAX LINEATUS, Cuv. The Striped Bass. (PLATE I. FIG. 4.) Scitfna lineala, BLOCK, pi. 304. Perca Mitchilli, Striped Bass or Rock-fish, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 413, pi. 3, fig. 4. Rock Bass, MEASE, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 502. Le Bar rayt (ou Rock-fish) des Etats-Unis, Labrax lineatus, Cuv. et VAL., H. p. 79. Lab-ax lineatus, GRIFFITH'S Cov. x. p. 103. " RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 10. " STOKER, Report, p. 7. " AVRES, Bost. JounT Nat. Hist., iv. p. 257. " DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 7, pi. 1, fig. 3. " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. " STORER, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, H. p. 273. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 21. Color. The upper part of the body is silvery brown, with a greenish-blue tinge ; the sides are lighter ; the abdomen of a beautiful, clear silvery color ; the opercula are more or less golden. Eight or more longitudinal black bands pass from behind the operculum towards the tail ; the upper bands are lost just back of the termination of the second dorsal fin ; the three or four central ones extend to the caudal fin ; while the lower ones reach only the posterior portion of the anal, or are even lost anterior to that fin. Sometimes these bands are all entire ; in other specimens, more or less of them are interrupted at intervals ; while in others still, instead of being straight throughout, frequent undulations or curves are observed. It sometimes happens that all the bands on one side of the fish are perfect, while all on the other side of the same specimen are broken or irregular. Pupils black ; irides golden. Description. The form of this species is cylindrical. Length of head to entire HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 55 length of fish is as 1 to 4. The scales on the body are large and quadrangular, less than one third of scale attacned, marked by concentric lines upon their sides ; numer- ous very delicate striae diverge from the centre of the attached base to the entire extent of the free edge. Sixty-two scales along the lateral line ; ten scales in an oblique line from the origin of the dorsal to the lateral line. The whole head is covered with scales, including the intermaxillary bones, save the suborbitar bones and the portion in front of and between the nostrils. The scales are largest on sides of body ; smaller towards tail and on anterior back, smallest on top of head. The eyes are circular, their diameter equal to about one third the distance between them. The nostrils are situated anterior to eye, at a distance about equal to diameter of eye ; the posterior is circular and the longer ; the anterior is larger. The lower jaw is the longer. Teeth in jaws numerous and very small ; the largest are at the middle of the upper jaw. Teeth upon the palatine bones. Tongue rough at its base and upon its sides, smooth in its centre. The operculum at its posterior angle is armed with two spinous processes, the lower of which is the larger and more acute ; they are margined with a dark-colored membrane. The preoperculum at its posterior edge is very delicately and minutely serrated ; these serrations are larger at its inferior margin. The lateral line, which is very distinct, arises just above the superior spinous process of the operculum, and is continued in a straight course through the middle of one of the longitudinal bands, to the centre of the tail, upon the rays of which it is lost. The first dorsal fin arises on a line with the posterior half of the pectorals ; it is twice as long as high ; the first ray is one sixth the height of the fourth and fifth, which are the longest rays in the fin. The second dorsal is not as long as the first. The first ray is spinous ; the second ray, which is the longest, is two thirds as high as the length of the fin. The pectorals are situated just beneath the inferior spine of the operculum ; their length to their height is as 1 to 5. The vehtrals are situated just back of the pectorals ; their first ray is spinous, and three fifths as long as the second ray, which is the longest of the fin ; the rays are multifid. They are of the same length as the pectorals. The anal arises on a line with the middle of the second dorsal ; its first three rays are spinous ; the first of these is one fourth the height of the third. This fin is shorter than the second dorsal ; it is one fifth longer than high. The caudal at its base is equal in depth to the length of the pectorals ; it is as wide again at its extremity, when expanded, as its depth at base. Fin quite deeply forked. In each of the fins, the scales are more or less continued upon them. 56 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The fin rays are as follows: D. 9. 1 - 12. P. 18. V. 1 -5. A. 3-11. C. 18. Length, 3 to 4 feet. Remarks. This fine species is taken in considerable numbers upon our coast. It is generally found upon shoals near the land, where frequently a dozen or more may be seen at a time beneath the water, quietly lying upon the rocky bottom. Large quantities of small bass are caught with nets near Chelsea and Nantasket beaches. Captain Atwood writes me, that at Provincetown a few are caught in the summer with hook and line, by men standing upon the shore ; and that in the months of September and October, when this fish is passing by, on its way to the South, large quantities are sometimes taken with nets, in the following manner. Several men put off from the Race in a boat, with a net from seventy to eighty fathoms long and from three to four fathoms deep ; when the boat is at a short distance from shore, a line attached to the net is thrown ashore, and secured by some of the fishermen there in waiting, and a portion of the net is dragged from the boat. As soon as the fish are seen swimming along, near the bottom, the rest of the net is let out of the boat, which is now rowed ashore, while the other extremity of the net is drawn thither by the rest of the gang. In this way hundreds are taken at a haul ; but as a large number of men is required, and considerable time is necessarily expended, this business is not very profitable, and is not attended to, unless it be at times of leisure from other pursuits. At Buzzard's Bay they are speared by torch-light to some extent, in the month of May. In the winter, this species goes up into the rivers and arms of the sea. It is most common in Boston market in autumn and winter. At some seasons of the year it is taken in large numbers in seines, while at others the market is partially supplied by those taken with the hook, and consequently its price varies, from three to twelve cents per pound. It is most readily taken by the hook, when it is baited with the Squid (Loligo illecebrosa). The larger individuals feed voraciously upon this animal, and are hence called " Squid-hounds." The flesh of this species, particularly of the larger ones, is rather coarse, but meets with a ready sale when fresh. In 1836, a small number of barrels (67) was packed and inspected. Bass of considerable size are often taken in Boston harbor. In July, 1837, I saw a specimen weighing 36 pounds, which had been taken from one of the city bridges over Charles River ; and I have been told that an- other, weighing 77 pounds, had been taken from the same bridge. The largest individ- ual I have known to be taken by any of our fishermen weighed 84 pounds. New Brunswick, PERLEY. Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 57 LABRAX RUFUS, Dekay. The White Perch. (PLATE I. FIG. 1.) Bodianus rufus, Red Perch, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 420. Le petit Bar d'AmMque, Labrax mitcronatus, Cuv. et VAL., H. p. 86, pi. 121. Labrax mucronalus, Small American Bass or White Perch, STOKER, Report, p. 8. Labrax rufus, Ruddy Bass, DF.KAY, Report, p. 9, pi. 3, fig. 7. Labrax mucronalus, AVRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 257. White Perch, LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. Labrax rvfus, STOKER, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, H. p. 274. " " STOKER, Synopsis, p. 22. Color. A silvery gray, darker above the lateral line. The sides and gill-covers exhibit metallic reflections. Lips, intermaxillaries, and tongue minutely dotted with black. Dorsals, pectorals, and caudal brown ; ventrals and anal rose-colored at their base ; throat also rosaceous. Pupils black ; irides silvery. Description. Body much compressed, a perceptible convexity in front of the first dorsal fin. The depth of the body across from the first dorsal is to the length about as 3% to 10. The length of the head to the whole length of the body is as 1 to 4. The gill-covers, intermaxillary bones, and the space between the eyes are scaled ; the portion in front of the eyes and nostrils is naked. The eyes are circular ; their diameter is to the distance between the eyes as 3 to 5. The nostrils are situated just in advance of the superior anterior angle of the eye ; the posterior is oval, the larger, and placed obliquely, pointing backwards ; the anterior is circular. The upper jaw is protractile ; both jaws are armed with numerous very minute teeth. The tongue has a row of very delicate teeth upon its sides. The preoperculum is serrated posteriorly and inferiorly, the serrations upon the inferior edge being much the larger. The oper- culum has at its posterior edge a sharp spinous process, and above this, separated by an emargination, is an obtuse point. The scales upon their exposed surface are covered with minute dots, like those of the lips and tongue ; they are denticulated at their edge. Seven scales are found in an oblique line from the lateral line to the origin of the first dorsal fin. The lateral line, which is very distinct, commences just beneath the subscapular bone, and, rising a little at first, pursues nearly a straight course, from a line opposite the commencement of the first dorsal, to the tail, including 55 scales. The first dorsal fin arises opposite the anterior half of the pectorals, and is entirely composed of spinous rays ; the first of these is the shortest, and the fourth the longest ; the fin is about half as long as high. The membrane of the last ray of this fin is continued to the base of the first ray of the second dorsal, which is nearly quadrangular, VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 9 58 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. and is composed of soft rays, with the exception of the first, whose height is about two thirds that of the next. This fin is longer than high. The pectorals are quite hroad when expanded ; in height they are equal to the length of the second dorsal. The ventrals are just back of the pectorals ; their height is equal to that of the pectorals. The anal arises on a line with the fifth ray of the second dorsal. Its height and length are equal. It terminates on the same plane with the second dorsal. The second spinous ray is very stout. The caudal is considerably emarginated ; the depth at its base is equal to half the depth of extremity when expanded. The fin rays are as follows : D. 9. 1 - 12. P. 15. V. 1 -5. A. 3 - 9. C. 17f. Length 12 to 15 inches. Remarks. This species is brought to Boston market in the spring and autumn, from the mouths of the neighboring rivers, and the ponds to which the sea has access. By the fishermen it is known as the " White Perch." Its usual weight is about half a pound. December 12th, 1837, I saw a specimen in Boston market which measured fifteen inches in length, and weighed one pound and three quarters, and its stomach contained a specimen of the shiner, Leuciscus chrysoleucas, more than five inches long. Found in New Brunswick, PERLEY ; Maine, Massachusetts, STOKER ; Connecticut, AYRES, LINSLEY ; New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY ; South Carolina, DEKAY. Although the Labrax pallidus of Dekay was' introduced in my " Synopsis " as belonging to this State, I am inclined to think the two species above described to be the only ones we possess ; and that perhaps the pallidus and rufus may prove to be one and the same. / , GENUS III. CENTROPRISTES, Cuv. A single dorsal fin ; branchiostegous rays seven ; all the teeth small and crowded ; no canines. Their preoperculum is dentated, and the operculum spinous. CENTROPRISTES VARIUS, Storer. The Black Sea-Bass or Perch. (PLATE II. FIG. 4.) Perca taria, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 415, pi. 3, fig. 6. Centropristes nigricans, GRIFFITH'S Cuv , x. p. 117. Le Centropriste noir, Centropristes nigricans, COY. et VAL., HI. pp. 37, 44. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 59 Centropristcs nigricans, Regne Animal, ed. VAT.., pi. 9, a, fig. 1. Black Perch, Black Sea-Bass, STOKER, Report, p. 9. " " Black Sea-Bass, DEKAY, Report, p. 24, pi. 11, fig. 5. " " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. " " STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, 11. p. 287. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 35. (Lutjanus trilolus, LACEP.?) Color. Of a dark brown, almost black, above ; lighter beneath ; of the head, sea or bronze green. In some specimens, after death, there is a greenish tinge upon the abdomen, and a bluish one upon the top and back of head. The dorsal and anal fins are white ; the former crossed by black bars, the latter marked by fuliginous blotches. The pectorals are of a leaden color, varied with dark brown ; the membrane of the ventrals is white, while the rays are nearly black. Description. Body elongated, compressed ; convex in front of the dorsal fin. Great- est depth of body equal to one fourth the length of the fish. Length of head to the posterior angle of the operculum equal to rather more than one third the length of the fish. Head, between and in front of eyes, without scales. Scales upon the sides of the body large ; small upon the preopercle, and at the base of the tail. Eyes of moderate size. Nostrils double, situated just anterior to the superior anterior angle of the eyes ; the anterior is tubular ; the posterior much the larger. Jaws equal in length, armed with a great number of minute, sharp, card-like teeth ; upper jaw protractile. Lips fleshy. The whole posterior edge of the preoperculum is denticulated ; the inferior edge is serrated. A flat, sharp spine is situated at the posterior angle of the operculum, below which is a broad, fleshy elongation projecting beyond it, the posterior portion of which is destitute of scales. By the union of the opercle and interopercle, a slight notch is produced. Humeral bone denticulated. The lateral line, which is of a dark color, arises at the lower edge of the humeral bone, and assumes the curve of the body. The dorsal fin arises on a line with the base of the pectorals ; its first ten rays are spinous. At the posterior portion of each of these spines, suspended from the upper edge of the connecting membrane, is a small fleshy tentacle. The first ray is shortest, the fourth longest. The eleven fleshy rays are higher than the spinous ones, artic- ulated and bifid ; this portion extends farther back than the anal fin. The pectorals arise just below the fleshy projection of the operculum ; they are fan- shaped, quite broad when expanded, and rounded posteriorly. The ventrals are just in front of the pectorals ; the middle rays are longest ; their length equal to that of the pectorals. The anal fin commences back of the soft rays of the dorsal ; the first three rays are spinous. Fin higher than long. 60 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The caudal is slightly convex at its centre, and its upper portion projects beyond the lower. It is scaled quite high upon its rays, which are bifid and articulated. The fin rays are as follows: D. 10-11. P. 17 or 18. V. 1 - 5. A. 3-7. C. 17 or 18. Length about one foot. Remarks. This species, which is known among our fishermen as the " Black Bass " and " Black Fish," is taken in large numbers in the months of May, June, and July at Holmes's Hole, and carried to the New York market, where it is considered one of the most valuable fishes, and meets with a ready sale. While visiting Gay-Head in August, 1846, I learned that this species had become much less abundant there than formerly. Thirty years since, it was not an uncommon circumstance for sixty sail of vessels to be fishing about Gay-Head at a time. And even fifteen years ago, this species was quite numerous ; but several years since it disappeared almost entirely. They are beginning to reappear again within the last two or three years, but are quite small. They are taken about ledges in deep water, and weigh from five to eight pounds. They seldom wander into Massachusetts Bay ; the few that are met with in Boston market are brought from New Bedford. July 1st, 1846, a specimen was taken at Nahant. Massachusetts, STOKER. New York to Florida, DEKAY. This is evidently Mitchill's Perca varia, and I have therefore retained his specific name. GENUS IV. POMOTIS, Ccv. A few denticulations, more or less obvious, on the borders of the preoperculum. Palatines and tongue smooth, and without teeth. Minute teeth on the jaws, vomer, and pharyngeals. Branchial rays, six. A membranous elongation at the angle of the operculum. POMOTIS VULGARIS, Cuv. The Bream. (PLATE III. FIG. 1.) Le Pomotis Commun, Pomotis vulgaris, Ccv. et VAL., in. p. 91, pi. 49, et VH. p. 465. Pomotis mdgaris, Regne Animal, ed. VAL., pi. 10, fig. 3. " " Northern Pomotis, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 24, pi. 76. " " JAHDINE, Nat. Lib., i. p. 162. ' " Fresh-water Sun-fish, Pond Perch, Bream, STOKER, Report, p. 11. " " AYBES, Host. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 258. " " Sun-fish, Roach, KIRTLAND, Report on Zool. of Ohio, p. 191. " " Harlequin Roach, KIRTLAND, Host. Journ. Nat. Hist., in. p. 470, pi. 28, fig. 2. " " THOMPSON, History of Vermont, p. 130. " " Common Pond-fish, DEKAY, Report, p. 31, pi. 51, fig. 166. " " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. " " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 292. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 40. " " AOASSIZ, Lake Superior, p. 293. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 61 Color. Greenish-brown above, with irregularly distributed rusty blotches ; in some specimens a certain regularity is observed in the arrangement of these blotches, pro- ducing longitudinal bands along the sides. Beautiful, undulating, longitudinal deep- blue lines across gill-covers. Opercular membrane black, with a bright scarlet blotch at its posterior portion. Abdomen whitish. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins dark brown. Ventrals and pectorals yellowish. Description. Body compressed, oval. The back curves very gradually as far as the posterior extremity of the dorsal fin, then abruptly gives place to the fleshy portion of the tail. Head less than one fourth the length of the body. Eyes large, circular. Nostrils double, the anterior tubular. Mouth small ; teeth very minute and sharp. The edge of the preopercle very finely denticulated. The lateral line arises at the upper posterior edge of the operculum, and, assuming the curve of the body, is lost at the base of the caudal rays. Scales upon the body large, dentated at their bases ; those at the base of the fins, small. The soft portion of the dorsal fin is highest and rounded posteriorly. The ex- tremities of the spines of the anterior portion of this fin project above the connecting membrane ; attached to them are small tubercles. The first dorsal spine is shortest ; the fourth and fifth spines are the longest. The pectorals are long, when extended reaching the soft portion of the dorsal fin. The anal terminates on a line with the dorsal. The caudal is emarginate. The fin rays are as follows: D. 10-12. P. 13. V. 1-5. A. 3-10. C. 17. Length rarely exceeds eight inches. Remarks. As Agassiz, in his work on Lake Superior, considers our species as dis- tinct from that which is known in the Southern States by the same scientific name, I have omitted several references in my list of synonymes which were retained in my " Synopsis." It is a common species in the ponds of the various portions of the State, and is taken with the Perca flavescens, Leuciscus chrysoleucas, Esox reticulalus, &c. By many it is considered a very sweet fish, although it is but seldom brought to market. It is known by the names of " Bream," " Ruff," " Pumpkin-seeds," and " Kivers." They build circular nests by removing the weeds from the bottom, and excavating the sand or gravel to so great an extent that they are often two feet in width and a half foot in depth. They are commonly placed near each other, and sometimes in so shallow water that the usual falling of the river in summer will leave them dry. In this way, besides the ordinary chance of falling a prey to the appetite of other fishes, a 62 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. large proportion of the species is yearly destroyed. In its care of the nest, it is very assiduous, and at this time it can be not only closely observed, but sometimes even handled, without its deserting its charge. New Brunswick, PERLEY. Massachusetts, STORER. Vermont, THOMPSON. Con- necticut, AYRES, LINSLEY. New Hampshire, H. R. STORER. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. Ohio, KIRTLAND. Kentucky, RAF. The Great Canadian Lakes, RICHARDSON. , POMOTIS APPENDIX, Dekay. The Red-tailed Bream. (PLATE III. FIG. 4.) Lalrus appendix, Slack-tared Pond fish, MITCHILL, Supp. to Amcr. Month. Mag., n. p. 247. Pomotis appendix, DEKAY, Report, p. 32. " " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. Pomotis rutri-cauda, Red-tailed Pomotis, STORER, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 177. " " LINSLEY, Cat. of. Fishes of Conn. Pomotis appendix, STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 294. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 42. Color. When alive, of a general rusty brown, or in some specimens golden brown, more strongly marked above the middle of the body by ferruginous spots being densely distributed along the scales ; these spots are more sparse and more distinct below the lateral line ; the body, beneath and in front of the ventral fins, of a blood-red color ; the throat is bluish-white. A bluish-white undulating line runs from the upper jaw just beneath the eye, across the operculum and beneath the opercular membrane to its posterior extremity ; a second line of a similar character arises just above this, and, interrupted by the eye, again commences back of it, and passes over the opercular membrane ; so that the membranous appendage of the operculum, which is broad, rounded posteriorly, and of a uniform black color, is between these lines. Beneath the undulating lines just spoken of are bluish-white blotches irregularly distributed upon the preoperculum, some of them passing downwards towards its lower edge. Pupils black, irides red. The dorsal fin is anteriorly of a dark-brown color ; its posterior membranous portion is red. The ventrals are red at their base and black at ex- tremities. The pectorals are of a yellowish-brown color. The anal is yellowish at its base and fuliginous at its margin. The caudal is of a blood-red color. After death, the body becomes of a bluish-gray color ; the abdomen changes to orange ; the ex- tremities of the ventrals are purple ; and the tail is rust-colored, livid posteriorly. Description. Length of head, including the opercular membrane, equal to about one third the length of the body ; greatest depth of fish,- exclusive of the dorsal and anal fins, equal to more than one third the length of the body. The head, between HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 63 and in front of the eyes, is naked. The eyes are circular ; their diameter less than the distance between them. Gape of mouth large. The posterior nostril is the longer. The lateral line commences above, and in front of, the base of the opercular membrane, and assumes the arch of the body. The dorsal fin commences above the posterior portion of the opercular membrane ; its first and second spines are the shortest ; the membranous portion is rounded above and posteriorly. The pectorals are broad and rounded. The rays of the ventrals are multifid. The soft portion of the anal is rounded along its entire margin. The caudal fin is somewhat emarginated. The fin rays are as follows : D. 10 to 11 -9 to 11. P. 11 to 12. V. 1-5. A. 3-9 to 10. C. 18. Length about six inches. Remarks. The specimens I have seen of this species were sent me from Concord, by Mr. Edward S. Hoar ; they were taken with P. vulgaris. Although Mitchill, in his description of the Labrus appendix, makes no mention of the color of the fins, which is a striking character, it agrees in other particulars so nearly with the species before me, that I cannot but think they are identical ; and therefore suppress here, as I have previously done in my Synopsis, my specific name q " rubri-cauda." Massachusetts, STOKER. New York, MITCHILL. The Genus Sphyrcena, which has usually been included in the Family Percidce, will be introduced hereafter in a different group. FAMILY II. TRIGLID^E. Contains a numerous series of fish, to which the singular appearance of their head, variously bristled and covered with armor, gives a peculiar physiognomy. Their general character consists in having the suborbitar bone more or less extended over the cheek, and articulated behind with the preoperculum. GENUS I. PRIONOTUS, CTJV. Pectorals very large, with numerous rays. A band of even teeth on the palatines. 64 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. PRIONOTUS LIJNEATUS, Dekay. The Banded Gurnard. (PLATE V. FIG. 4.) Trigla lineata, Gurnard or Sea-Robin, MITCHII.L, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 430, pi. 4, fig. 4. Le Prionote strib, Prionotus strigatus, Cov. et VAL., iv. p. 86. Prionotus strigalus, Regne Animal, ed. VAL., pi. 20, fig. 2. ' ' Sea-Robin, Gurnard, Grunter, STOKER, Report, p. 12. ' ' AYRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 258. ' ' LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. Prionotus lin atus, Banded Gurnard, DEKAY, Report, p. 45, pi. 4, fig. 12. ' ' STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 302. ' ' STORER, Synopsis, p. 50. Color. The recent specimen is of a reddish-brown color above, and the entire surface, including the head, is covered with numerous black dots. The gill-covers and intermaxillaries in some specimens are orange. The dead fish is of a slate- color above the lateral line, with a few black dots irregularly distributed over its surface, the sides are lighter, with a reddish tint ; abdomen white. Beneath the lateral line, and parallel to it, runs a broader brownish line, which arises under the humeral spine ; this line is broken at its posterior extremity with interrupted points or spots. Beneath the anterior portion of this line are several broken brown bands. The first dorsal fin is of a light reddish tint, with a black blotch upon the upper portion of the membrane between the fourth and fifth, or third, fourth, and fifth rays. .The anterior edge of the first three rays barred with black. The second dorsal is reddish. The pectorals are fuliginous beneath and reddish above ; fuliginous also in centre of upper portion, with numerous transverse black lines, which are more obvious at the base of the fin. The ventrals are white. Description. Head broader than the body ; its length rather less than one third the length of the fish ; its depth equal to more than half its length, and made up of seven distinct bony plates, which form a perfect helmet of defence. The whole upper part of the head, the occiput, the space between the eyes, and the portion anterior to the snout, are composed of one plate ; this portion is roughened throughout its whole extent by irregular corrugations, and terminates posteriorly in two strong, very acute spines ; at the upper anterior and posterior angles of the eyes, minute spines are also observed. This plate is emarginated anteriorly, deeply truncated posteriorly. The operculum is a distinct plate, of an irregularly triangular form, having two spines at its posterior extremity ; the lower larger and pointing directly back, the upper pointing obliquely upwards ; this plate is covered with elevated striae radiating from the anterior portion towards the circumference, and is separated from the preopercle by a membrane, HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 65 which renders it movable ; its margin is bordered by a wide membrane. The pre- operculum is rather small and is triangular, slightly movable, and divided at its lower portion by a horizontal, serrated, bony ridge, which terminates posteriorly in a naked spine ; beneath this ridge, the inferior portion is corrugated and granulated ; from the base of the preopercle, radii diverge to its upper portion. Suborbitar bones roughened like the top of the head ; cheek-bones covered with elevated striae, slightly serrated upon their whole lower margin, and strongly serrated anteriorly on each side of the snout. A strong ridge upon the humeral bone, serrated on its under edge, terminating in a naked spine. All the spines upon the head are much more acute in young specimens. In front of the emargination of the frontal bony plate is a naked mem- branous portion, equal in width to the distance between the eyes ; in this space, half way between the eyes and the extremity of the snout, are situated the nostrils, the posterior of which is the larger. Eyes oblong ; longest diameter equal to the distance between the eyes. Jaws armed with numerous, small, card-like teeth ; upper jaw projecting beyond the lower. Tongue colorless, fleshy. The lateral line arises above the posterior angle of the operculum, and, curving slightly downwards to a line op- posite the space between the dorsal fins, thence pursues a straight course to the tail. The first dorsal fin is situated in a groove which partially receives it when closed, and arises just back of a line with the termination of the occipital spines ; it is longer than high. Its first ray is spinous, and serrated upon its entire anterior edge ; the second and third rays are serrated at their upper anterior portion ; the third and fourth rays are the longest. It is composed of ten spinous rays ; the three posterior are exceedingly small, and look like isolated spines, between the fins. The second dorsal is one third longer than high ; its rays are bifid, and their tips slightly project beyond the connecting membrane. The pectorals are very broad when expanded, and are one third the length of the body. On a line with the base of the pectorals, beneath them, are three fleshy appendages, somewhat similar in their appearance to the fin rays, though larger, and of equal size throughout their entire length ; the upper, which is the longest, is equal to half the length of the pectorals. The ventrals are situated beneath the base of the pectorals ; their longest rays are equal to two thirds the length of the pectorals ; the connecting membrane is emar- ginated between the tips of the rays. The first ray is spinous, and shorter than the others. The anal fin arises back of, and terminates posteriorly to, the second dorsal, which fin it equals in length. VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 10 66 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The caudal is composed of stout articulated rays, and is nearly straight at its ex- tremity. The fin rays are as follows: D. 9 to 10-12 to 13. P. 12 to 13. V. 6. A. 10. C. 12|. Length, a foot to 18 inches. Remarks. This pretty species, which is much more common than the P. Carolinus, is frequently taken in the Vineyard Sound while fishing for Scapaug (P. argyrops), but is not used as an article of food. Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. PRIONOTUS PALMIPES, Storer. The Web-fingered Gurnard. (PLATE V. FIG. 1.) Trigla Carolina, LIN., p. 528, Cuv. et VAL. Trigla palmipes, Web-fingered Gurnard, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 431, pi. 4, fig. 5. Le Prionote dr. la Caroline, Prionolus Carolinus, Cuv. et VAL., iv. p. 90. Prionotus Carolinus, Web-fingered Grunter, STORER, Report, p. 14. " AYRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 258. " Web-fingered Gurnard, DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 46, pi. 5, fig. 15. " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. " STORER, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 303. " STORER, Synopsis, p. 51. Color. When first taken, the body above is of a reddish-brown color, with irregular blotches and shadings of a darker brown appearing like indistinct transverse white bands across the dorsum ; beneath nearly white. Branchial membrane fuliginous ; margined anteriorly and posteriorly with white. The connecting membrane of the first dorsal is transparent, slightly dusky, marked by oblique white lines, and has a large dark-brown spot, the greater portion of which is between the fourth and fifth rays ; in young specimens this spot is confined entirely to the space between the fourth and fifth spines. The second dorsal is of a dull white color, marked by interrupted longitudinal orange bands. The pectorals are reddish-brown above, slate-colored be- neath, with the exception of the two posterior rays, which are white. The pectoral appendages are reddish-brown at their base, and orange at extremities. The ventrals are reddish-white above, white beneath. The anal is of the same general color as the second dorsal. Description. Length of head rather less than one fourth the length of the entire fish ; width of head more than half its length. The armature of the head is very similar to that of P. lineatus, and yet there are striking differences ; the several bones HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 67 are less deeply furrowed and ridged, appearing more like shagreen ; at the anterior angle of the eye are three distinct spines. The occipital spines are not so acute as in P. lineatus, but are the terminations of carinae in two arrow-shaped plates of bone ; in P. lineatus, there is a small spine at the posterior angle of the eye ; in this species are two elevated ridges which run posteriorly ; these ridges are not prominent in the immature fish. Nostrils of moderate size ; the anterior the larger. Eyes high up on the head. Sides of snout strongly serrated. Jaws armed with numerous card- like teeth ; the upper jaw the longer. The lateral line, arising between the occipital spine and the posterior superior edge of the operculum, is very indistinct throughout its whole course, but more so at its origin, and is continued in a straight line to the middle of the base of the tail. The first dorsal fin is situated in a deep groove. The whole anterior edge of the first three rays is serrated, and the upper portion of the fourth. The second dorsal is nearly straight upon its margin. The pectorals are large, broad, rounded, and about one third the length of the body. Just in front of and beneath the pectorals are three fleshy appendages, widened at extremities ; the posterior the largest. The anal commences just back of, and termi- nates upon the same plane with, the second dorsal. The caudal is lunated. The fin rays are as follows : D. 9 or 10 -13. P. 13 or 14> V. 6. A. 12. C. 12f Length 15 to 18 inches. Remarks. This species is much more rare than the P. lineatus. It was well de- scribed by Mitchill, who makes no mention of its infrequency in the waters of New York ; but Dekay remarks, that in the course of twenty years he had not met with more than six or eight specimens. As one of its names implies, it is a Southern spe- cies. Individuals are not unfrequently taken in the Vineyard Sound, during the entire summer, while fishing for Tautog. It is caught in deeper water than P. lineatus. Dr. Yale informed me that he had eaten this species, which, when skinned and boiled, is quite palatable. Occasionally this species is captured north of Cape Cod. In September, 1840, I received from Captain Nathaniel Blanchard of Lynn a specimen twelve inches in length, taken in a net at Green Island ; and Henry Sheafe, Esq., of this city, the next year sent the Boston Society of Natural History two specimens which were captured at Phillips's Point, Lynn. I have also seen two or three other individuals in the market, which have been caught in Massachusetts Bay. The speci- men here described is the largest of those I had the good fortune to procure while on a visit at Tisbury, in August, 1846. Mr. Ayres, in his enumeration of the Fishes 68 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. of Brookhaven, L. I., contained in the fourth volume of the " Boston Journal of Natural History," when speaking of this species, says : " When at rest, they lie on the bottom, with their broad pectorals sometimes spread and sometimes closed ; in swimming, however, the pectorals are closed and flat upon the body. If alarmed by the approach of a boat or any other object, they bury themselves so completely in the sand, that a very close observation is necessary to detect them. This concealment is effected by a rapid lateral movement of the body, which displaces the sand from beneath, and causes it to fall upon their sides and back, covering them entirely, except the eyes and top of the head. Probably they often resort to this manoeuvre when approached by the large fish which feed upon them." Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. Carolina, CUVIER. Although this species was supposed by Cuvier to be the Trigla Carolina of Linnaeus, I am compelled to reject his specific name, as his description is altogether too indefinite to identify the fish. He makes no mention of the characteristic palmation of the pec- toral appendages. PRIONOTUS PILATUS, Storer. (PLATE VI. FIG. 1.) Prionotus pilatus, STORER, Proceedings of Bost. Soc. of Nat. Hist., n. p. 77, 1845. " " STORER, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 522. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 270. Color. Upper part of body a reddish-brown ; head a lighter red ; body beneath yellowish-white ; throat color of pectorals ; pectorals dark blue ; ventrals color of ab- domen. First dorsal fuliginous, crossed by two transverse white lines, one near its base, and the other through its centre ; the upper membranous portion between the fourth and fifth rays is marked by a large black blotch. The second dorsal of the same color as the first, with undulating whitish lines crossing the connecting membrane from its base to its margin, presenting a marbled appearance. Anal fin of a dirty white color. Caudal fin colored like the pectorals, but rather lighter. Description. Body oblong, cylindrical. Head one fourth the length of the body ; depth of head nearly equal to two thirds its length. Width of snout equal to nearly twice the distance between the eyes. Eyes moderate, oblong, their longest diameter equal to one sixth the length of the head. Nostrils small, nearer to the tip of the snout than to the eyes. Jaws, palatines, and pharyngeals armed with numerous small, card-like teeth. Upper jaw the longer. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 69 The lateral line commences just beneath the occipital spine, and pursues nearly a straight course to the caudal fin. The first dorsal arises between the posterior projections of the occiput ; the first spinous ray is serrated throughout its entire anterior portion ; the second is serrated only on its right side ; the third only on its left ; the remaining rays are smooth ; the third and fourth rays are longest. Fin one half as high as long. The second dorsal rather more than a third as long as the first dorsal ; its rays are bifid and slightly projecting at their extremities. The pectorals when expanded are equal in their depth to one half their length. Anterior to and beneath the pectorals are three fleshy appendages, tapering at their extremities, the anterior two thirds the height of the posterior. The longest rays of the ventrals are nearly two thirds as long as the pectorals ; the anterior ray is short and spinous, the other rays are multifid at their extremities. The anal fin commences on a line just back of the second dorsal, and terminates opposite the extremity of that fin. Caudal fin deeply emarginated ; the outer rays projecting beyond the others. The fin rays are as follows : D. 10 - 13. P. 13. V. 6. A. 12. C. 12*. 1 have seen but one specimen of this species, which was taken in Massachusetts Bay. Massachusetts, STOKER. In the " Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History," Vol. II. p. 77, 1 stated that the Prionotus punctatus had been found in our waters. Thinking it possible I may have been mistaken, and that the specimen belonging to the Boston Society of Natural History was not taken in Massachusetts Bay, as it was said to have been, I prefer not to admit it in this communication. GENUS II. DACTYLOPTERUS, LACP. The rays under the pectorals are numerous and large ; and instead of being free, as in the preceding genera, they are united by a membrane into a supernumerary fin, larger than the fish itself, and which supports it in the air for some length of time. The muzzle, which is very short, appears to be cleft like the lips of a hare ; the mouth is situated beneath ; there are, in the jaws only, certain rounded teeth, arranged like pavement; the head is flat, rectangular, and granulated ; the preoperculum is terminated by a long and strong spine. All the scales are carinated. 70 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. DACTYLOPTERUS VOLITANS, Cuv. The Sea-Swallow. (PLATE VI. FIG. 5.) Trigla volitans, Flying Gurnard, L., SHAW'S Gen. Zool., IT. p. 622, pi. 91. Morcielago, PARRA, p. 25, pi. 14. Polynemus sex-raduUus, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. pi. 4, fig. 10. " " MITCHILL, Supp. Amer. Month. Mag., 11. p. 323 (?). Le Dactylopt&re commun, Dactylopterus volitans, Cov. et VAL., iv. p. 117. Dactylopterus volitans, GRIFFITH'S CUT., x. p. 138. RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., HI. p. 40. WILSON, Encycl. Brit., art. Ichthyology, p. 173. w u Sea-Swallow, DEKAY, Report, p. 49, pi. 17, fig. 46. LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 304. STORER, Synopsis, p. 52. Bat-fish, SCHOMBURGK, Hist, of Barbados, p. 667. Color. The specimen now described is of a slate-color above, with indistinct darker blotches ; top of head darker than back ; upper jaw yellowish-white, with several dark- brown spots beneath the eyes. Abdomen yellow. Dorsal fin white, banded with brown ; pectorals dull brown, irregularly spotted with darker blotches, lighter beneath, white at their inferior base ; caudal yellowish, transversely banded with black. My specimen, however, having been preserved in spirits, and its colors consequently being in a great measure destroyed, I shall avail myself of this portion of Dr. Dekay's description: "Light brown above, (darker on the summit of head,) with irregular darker spots. Sides silvery with flesh-color, which latter is predominant beneath. Dorsals gray, with brown spots on the membrane of the first, and the rays of the second annulated alternately with brown and lighter. The posterior pectorals blackish, with bluish iridescent spots ; the anterior dark brown varied with black. Ventrals and anal flesh- colored. Caudal light brown, with irregular brownish bands." Description. Body cylindrical anterior to vent ; abdomen flattened posterior to vent ; sides compressed at posterior extremities. Head flattened above. Back and sides covered with rows of fixed raised scales ; the six or eight rows upon the sides are most elevated, sharp with minutely denticulated edges, and their summit with more marked denticulations. There are fifteen rows of scales, passing longitudinally on the sides, between the origin of the second dorsal and the abdomen. Posterior to the second dorsal, these rows are less marked than anterior to it ; the rows back of the head and beneath the pectorals are much more numerous than posteriorly ; these gradually ap- proximate, and, as it were running into each other, are for the most part lost, so that at the termination of the second dorsal fin there remain but about twelve rows, and at HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 71 the fleshy portion of the tail but four ; two of these elevated, bounding the edge of the back and abdomen, and the others, much less raised, between them. The length of the head to the termination of the subscapular spine equal to more than one third the entire length of the fish. Head above bonj, very broad, granulated throughout, deeply emarginated behind, concave between the eyes, and terminating posteriorly on each side in very pointed subscapular bones, which have an elevated ridge passing through their centres. Suborbitar bones emarginated posteriorly ; their posterior superior angle passing upward and backward to the centre of the orbit of the eye ; their posterior inferior angle is continued backward in a sharp point to the preoperculum ; the inferior edge of this inferior portion is slightly denticulated, the teeth looking forward. A branch of the preoperculum marked with vertical striae passes upward above the termination of the posterior superior angle of the suborbitar bone ; its posterior angle terminates in a long spine, which passes backward to the posterior half of the subscapular bone ; this spine is strongly serrated upon its outer edge, denticulated upon its lower edge, and granulated along its base. The operculum small, triangular, scaled. The eyes are large and circular. The nostrils are double, and of nearly equal size ; the anterior and inferior is tubular. The mouth is small ; the lips are fleshy. The lower jaw is the shorter. Both jaws armed with several rows of small conical teeth ; minute teeth exist also in the pharynx. Snout blunted. Just anterior to the spinous rays of the first dorsal, and higher tnan they, are two membranous rays opposite to each other and connected at their bases. The first dorsal is of a triangular form, the posterior rays being higher than the first. This fin, when closed, is received into a groove. Between the first and second dorsal fins is a short, stout, triangular spine. Directly back of this spine arises the second dorsal, which is quadrangular, and has its rays connected together by an exceedingly delicate membrane. Its six anterior rays are simple. The pectorals are very broad when expanded ; and reach, when closed, the fleshy portion of the caudal fin. The shortest rays are the six which are separated at the anterior portion from the fin, save at the base, where they are connected to it by a membrane. The central rays of this fin are the longest. The ventrals are beneath the pectorals ; their height is about equal to that of the first six rays of the pectorals ; the third and fourth rays are the longest. The anal is situated beneath the second dorsal. The caudal is deeply concave ; with two elevated scales, looking like finlets, ap- proximating each other at its base. 72 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The fin rays are as follows : D. 2-4- 1 - 8. P. 30-6. V. 1-4. A. 6. C. lOi. Length about 6 inches. Remarks. The accompanying description and figure are prepared from a specimen sent me by Dr. Yale from Holmes's Hole ; it is the only individual I have seen. This species was very well described by Dr. Mitchill in his supplement to his fishes in " The American Monthly Magazine and Critical Review," and still better by Dekay in his New York Report. Newfoundland, CUVIER. Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, LINSLEY. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. Gulf of Mexico, PARRA. Caribbean Sea, CUVIER, SCHOMBURGK. GENUS III. COTTUS,* AETEDI. Inhabiting only fresh water. But one small spine at the angle of preoperculum ; sometimes another still smaller, always hidden under the skin and perceptible to the touch only, at the lower margin of the suboperculum. Head very depressed, more or less truncated in front, generally broader than high, but always very uniform, being scarcely detached from the body unless by its more considerable breadth. Second dorsal always higher than first. Ventrals with three or four soft rays. Lateral line usually interrupted. COTTUS GRACILIS, Heckel. The River Bull-head. (PLATE IV. FIG. 3.) Uranidea quiescms, Little Star-gazer, DEKAY'S Report, p. 61, pi. v. fig. 914. Coitus gobio, AYRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., v. p. 121, pi. xi. " " STOKER, Synopsis, p. 52. Cottus gracilis, HECK., GIRARD, Proceedings of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., in. p. 189. Color. Light green mottled with irregular dark-brown blotches, which are larger on the posterior part of the body. Description. Length of the head about one fifth that of the body ; much broader than the body ; flattened above back of the eyes. Preoperculum armed at its posterior superior angle with a sharp spine curving upwards, and below this upon its edge * The genus Cottus has heretofore been composed of two separate groups, consisting of fluviatile and marine species. Mr. Girard, after having devoted much attention to the subject, has formed from these two distinct genera, and gives as his reason for not accepting Dekay's Uranidea, that, according to the principles of nomenclature, Cottus must be retained for the fresh-water group, having been at first applied to them. It remains, however, to be seen whether these changes will be accepted by succeeding ichthyologists. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 73 with another very minute spine. Eyes prominent, obliquely oblong. Jaws equal, with numerous exceedingly minute teeth. Gape of mouth moderate. Lateral line commences at the superior posterior angle of the operculum, and is continued in a straight line to just below the extremity of the second dorsal fin, where it curves, and ends at the centre of the caudal rays. The first dorsal fin arises just back of the origin of the pectorals ; its length is equal to about one third that of the second dorsal. The second dorsal, which arises directly back of the first, is of equal height through- out, a little higher than the first dorsal, and is of a quadrangular form. The pectorals are broad, higher than the length of the head. The ventrals are composed of three rays of nearly equal length, and united at their base. The anal fin commences back of the second dorsal, and terminates anterior to the termination of that fin. The caudal fin is about the length of the head, and is straight at its extremity. The fin rays are as follows: D. 8-7. P. 14. V. 3. A. 12. C. 12. Length of fish 2^ inches. Remarks. The individual from which my description has been drawn up was sent me from Shirley, by Dr. C. D. Dowse. Mr. Horatio R. Storer caught two specimens near the source of the Saco River, in the town of Bartlett, New Hampshire, among the White Mountains, where the water was about three inches deep. When first seen they were lying under little stones, with the head and expanded pectoral fins alone visible, and so motionless that he would have overlooked them, had he not been carefully examining the Bottom in search of salamanders. When disturbed, they immediately darted under the stones, and were only secured by cautiously placing the hand before them so that they could not escape, on which they would dart directly into it. On account of their viscid secretion, they are retained by the hand with difficulty. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, DEKAY. Connecticut, AYRES. New Hamp- shire, H. R. STORER. GENUS IV. ACANTHOCOTTUS, GIHAED. Always marine. Spines upon each of the opercular bones. Surface of head and often circumference of orbits either armed with spines, serrated, or notched. Mouth more deeply cleft than in Cottus. Lateral line uninterrupted. VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 11 74 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. ACANTHOCOTTUS VARiABiLis, Girard. The Greenland Sculpin. (PLATE IV. FIG 1.) Cotlus sccrpius, FABRicins, Fauna Groenlandica, p. 156, No. 113. Le Chaboisseau du Greenland, (Coitus Groenlandicus,) Cuv. et VAL., iv. p. 185. Cuttus Groenlandicus, Greenland Bull-head, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., HI. pp. 46 and 297, and admirably figured, pi. 95. " " Greenland Sculpin, STOKER'S Report, p. 16. " " Greenland Bull-head, DEKAY, Report, p. 54, pi. 4, fig. 2. " " STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 305. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 53. Coitus quadricornis, SABINE, App. to PARRY'S First Voyage. Cottus variabilis, AYRES, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., I. 1842, p. 69. " AYRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. 1843, p. 259. Jlcanthocottus Groenlandicus, GIRARD, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., in. p. 185. Jlcanthocottus variabilis, GIRARD, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vi. p. 248. Color. Upper part of the body dark brown, with large clay-colored blotches on the top of the head and upon the gill-covers, with a few smaller ones on the back and sides, and small circular yellow spots on the sides towards the abdomen. Large perfectly white ocelli upon the abdomen, beneath the pectorals. Abdomen yellow tinged with red, throat of a dull white color. The first dorsal fin of a dark-brown color, variegated with yellow; the second dorsal is brown, with several transverse yellowish bands; the pectorals are marked with irregular transverse brown bands and yellow spots ; the rays of this fin are orange-colored ; the ventrals are white, with three transverse, dark-brown bars ; the anal is marked like the second dorsal ; the rays of the caudal are black, while their connecting membrane is yellowish. Description. Body oblong ; very stout anteriorly ; tapering towards the tail. The sides, both above and beneath the lateral line, are roughened by granulated tubercles which feel like spines when the finger is drawn towards the head. The length of the head, measured to the posterior extremity of the occiput, is equal to about one fourth the length of the body ; its width across the occiput equal to its length ; its greatest depth equal to two thirds its length. The head is armed with several spines ; those upon its top are blunted, those oil the gill-covers are longer, with projecting, sharp points. The nasal spines are sharp and recurved ; at the posterior superior angle of the eye is a strong, slightly recurved, short spine, stouter than the nasal spine. Upon the occiput are also situated two strong, blunt, and somewhat recurved spines ; between these and the former is a quadrangular depression. The preoperculum has three spines, naked at their extremities, two of which are situated at its superior angle ; the upper of these spines is much the largest, and points upwards ; the second is smaller and nearly straight ; the third and smallest, at its inferior angle, points directly downwards. The operculum HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 75 is armed with two spines ; the larger at its superior angle ; the second, much the smaller, at its inferior angle. Eyes circular, their diameter equal to one sixth the length of the head. The gape of the mouth very large ; the distance between the tips of the jaws, when distended, is equal to one third the length of the head ; the upper jaw the longer ; both jaws are armed with numerous, very small, card-like teeth ; similar teeth on the vomer and pharyngeals. Nostrils tubular, just in front of the eyes. The first dorsal fin commences on a line above the pectorals ; it is rounded above, about as long again as high. The second dorsal commences at the termination of the first ; appearing almost to be united with it. The pectorals are very broad when expanded ; their length at base is less than the height of the first rays ; roughened granulations may be perceived beneath several of the rays of these fins ; the inferior rays are much the shorter and stouter. The outer ray of the ventrals is very stout. The anal commences just posterior to the second dorsal, and is shorter than that fin. The caudal stout, with the rays bifurcated at their posterior extremities. The fin rays are as follows: D. 9 or 10-16 or 18. P. 17. V. 3. A. 13. C. 12|. Length about a foot. Remarks. In a monograph of the Genus Cottus, which he published in the " Pro- ceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History," Vol. III., Mr. Charles Girard con- sidered the Cottus variabilis of Ayres as the young of the Groenlandicus. At a subse- quent period, having received from Mr. Horatio R. Storer a species of Cottus from Labrador, he was enabled to decide that it was not the same as the species on our coast which is known as the Groenlandicus, and consequently has retained Ayres's specific name for the Massachusetts fish. So that what has been known by us as the Groen- landicus is now to be called variabilis, and the fish so called by Ayres is the young. This beautiful fish is much less common than the Virginianus. Though the other species is said to be a favorite food of the Greenlanders, this is not used with us. It is frequently seen swimming upon the sandy bottoms of the numerous small coves of Massachusetts Bay, and is taken with the hook while fishing from the rocks for the Conner. Specimens of the young of this species were presented to me by Mr. Desor, who procured them at the South Shoals, fifteen miles from Nantucket, with the dredge, in eleven and a half, fifteen, and eighteen fathoms of water respectively, from a bottom abounding with barnacles and membranipora. It is exceedingly voracious, de- vouring all kinds of Crustacea, Mollusks, and Echini. In the stomach of one I found 76 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. three entire specimens of the Portunus pictus of considerable size ; in others I have seen large quantities of the Echinus granulatus, and several species of Algae. Maine, Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, DEKAY. ACANTHOCOTTUS ViRGiNiANUs, Girard. The Common Sculpin. (PLATE IV. FIG. 2.) Scorpius Virginianus, WILLOUGHBY, Hist. Pise., App., p. 25, pi. 10, fig. 15 (?). Callus octodecimspinosus, Eighteen-spined Cottus, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 380. Le grand Chaboisseau it dix-huit ipines de VAmMqite du Jford, Cottus octodecimspinosus, Cuv. et VAL., iv. p. 181. Cottus octodecimspinosus, Sculpin, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 46. " GRIFFITH'S Cpv., x. pi. 43, fig. 4. Coitus Virginianus, Common Sculpin, STOKER, Report, p. 18. " " Common Bull-head, DEKAY, Report, p. 5), pi. 5, fig. 13. " " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. ' " STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 305. ' " STORER, Synopsis, p. 53. Acanthocotlus Virginianus, GIRARD, Proe. Host. Soc. Nat. Hist., in. p. 187. " " H. R. STORER, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., TI. p. 250. Color. While alive, some individuals of this species are of a greenish-yellow color, with four transverse dark-brown bars, which extend from the dorsum to the lower part of the sides ; the anterior of these is nearly as wide at its base as the first dorsal fin at which it commences ; the second is situated at the anterior half of the second dorsal ; the third, which is narrower than the second, is at the posterior half of the second dorsal ; the fourth band crosses the fleshy portion of the tail. In others the general color is of a greenish-brown, the bands are very indistinct and appear rather like large blotches. Abdomen white. The first dorsal is fuliginous, and crossed by distinct dark- brown bands. The second dorsal is crossed by three longitudinal bands of dark brown. The pectorals are of a light-yellow color ; broad when expanded ; the inferior rays are flesh-colored ; these fins are crossed by six dark-brown concentric bands of different widths. The ventrals are yellowish-white ; the intermediate mem- brane clouded by indistinct bands of dark brown. The anal is yellowish, crossed by indistinct dark bands. The caudal is yellowish-white, with five very distinct bands. Pupils bluish ; irides reddish, with a coppery hue when alive. Description. Length of head equal to one third the length of body ; its greatest width equal to two thirds its length. Twenty spines are seen upon and about the head, ten on each side ; all these are naked at their extremities. The nasal spines are small and recurved ; the post-orbitar spines are a little longer than the nasals ; they are barely elevated above the top of the head, and point directly backwards ; the occipital spines are erect and slightly recurved ; they are rather stouter than the post-orbitars ; HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 77 three spines are situated upon the preoperculum ; that at the posterior angle is the largest of any upon the head ; it is very stout, is naked throughout its greatest extent, and is partially covered by a loose membrane as a mere sheath, which is readily recurved to its very base ; this spine extends backwards nearly to, and in some specimens as far as, and I have seen it continued even beyond, the posterior extremity of the opercular spine. Directly under the base of this spine is situated a second very small one, pointing obliquely backwards and downwards ; at the inferior angle of the preopercle is a third spine, pointing downwards and forwards. Two spines are seen upon the operculum ; the larger passes from its upper anterior portion to the posterior angle, pointing obliquely backwards; the other, which is quite small, is at the inferior angle, and points directly downwards. Just above the origin of the pectorals is a strong scapular spine, directed upwards and backwards. And above the commencement of the posterior fleshy mem- brane of the operculum is seen the humeral spine, which is but little longer than the occipital spines. The head is flattened above and furrowed by ridges which are the continuations of the spines ; a slight ridge passes from the nasal spines backwards to the eyes ; another extends from the post-orbitar to the occipital spines, and exterior to this is another ridge ; the whole upper portion of the head is dotted with minute granulations. The gape of the mouth is large ; the jaws, pharynx, and palatine-bones are armed with numerous sharp, compact teeth, like those of a card ; the upper jaw is the larger. The eyes are very large and prominent. The nostrils are small ; the posterior is just back of the nasal spine ; the anterior is tubular, and on a line with the base of the nasal spine exterior to it. The lateral line is very prominent, resembling an interrupted series of tubercles. It commences at the scapular spine, and is continued to the caudal rays, being much less marked at its posterior extremity. The first dorsal fin, which is composed of nine spinous rays, is longer than high. The third ray is the longest ; the first ray is about half the height of the second ; the extremities of the first six rays project beyond the connecting membrane. Dr. Dekay, in speaking of this fin, says, " the second ray longest." He omits mentioning the first very short ray ; and it does not appear in his figure. The second dorsal arises just back of the first, at the termination of a membrane extending from the first dorsal. It is nearly as long again as the first dorsal ; its rays are articulated. The pectorals are large and rounded. The ventrals arise beneath the lower rays of the pectorals ; simple. Rays free at extremities ; first ray quite strong. The anal commences back of the second dorsal, and is shorter than that fin. 78 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The caudal is even at extremity. In some specimens the membrane connecting the rays of the second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins extends to their extremities, causing the fins to appear even at their edges ; while in others the extremities of the rays project like those of the pectorals and ventrals. The fin rays are as follows : D. 9 - 16. P. 17. V. 3. A. 14. C. 12. Length 10 to 18 inches. Remarks. This is our most common species of Cottus. As the " Sculpin " or " Toad-fish " it is well known, and is the pest of the numerous boys and idlers who at certain seasons of the year are constantly fishing from the wharves and bridges for more marketable species. Mitchill described this species in his "Fishes of New York," under the name of octodecimspinosus ; but as it has the same number of spines as the Cottus scorpius, its specific name alone cannot distinguish it ; and as it was previously called by Wil- loughby Virginianus, from a specimen sent him by Lister from Virginia, I have no hesitation in prefixing his specific name to my description. Newfoundland, RICHARDSON. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. Virginia, WILLOUGHBY. Labrador, H. R. STORER. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, PERLEY. The Acanthocottus teneus I now omit, thinking I have previously mistaken for it a variety of A. variabilis of Girard. GENUS V. BOLEOSOMA, DEKAY. The form of the body is that of a dart ; the head is very short, rounded like an arc of a circle, below which the mouth, generally small and slightly protractile, opens horizontally ; the upper jaw sloping over the lower. The neck and the sides of the skull compressed. The opercular apparatus and the cheeks covered with scales. BOLEOSOMA OLMSTEDI, Agassiz. The Tessellated Darter. (PLATE IV. FIG. 4.) Etheostoma Olmstedi, STOKER, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., IT. p. 61, pi. 5, fig. 2. " " A YKKS, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., IT. p. 257. Percina minima, HALD., Journ. Acad. Nat. Scien., Tin. p. 330. Boleosoma tessellation, Tessellated Darter, DEKAY, N. Y. Report, p. 20, pi. 20, fig. 57. Perca minima, DEKAT, N. Y. Report, p. 7. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 79 Etheostoma Olmstedi, Ground-fish, LIHSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. " " STOKER, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, 11. p. 271 " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 19. Boleosoma Olmstedi, AOASSIZ, Lake Superior, p. 304. Color. Yellowish-green, with blackish blotches upon the sides like interrupted bands. A large dark-brown blotch is seen upon the occiput, and back of this, upon the dorsum, six broad similarly colored transverse bands ; the first, just over the pec- torals ; the second, at the anterior portion of the first dorsal ; the third, between the first and second dorsal ; the fourth, at the middle of the second dorsal ; the fifth, at the termination of the second dorsal ; and the sixth, at the base of the tail. These bands all usually disappear at death. Pupils black, irides golden. A narrow deep-black band runs from the tip of the upper jaw to the anterior superior angle of the eye, and a second band passes upwards from the lower anterior angle of the preoperculum to the middle of the lower edge of the eye, and thence to the upper edge of the orbit, inter- rupted by the globe of the eye. The preoperculum is golden. The first dorsal is almost colorless ; the rays of the second dorsal, as well as those of the pectorals, ventrals, and caudal, are elegantly crossed transversely by reddish lines. Description. Form cylindrical. The head is less than one sixth the length of the body ; it is flattened above, between, and back of the eyes. The operculum is scaly above, and terminates posteriorly in a sharp spine. Jaws furnished with very minute teeth. The orbits of the eyes are very prominent. The first dorsal fin commences some distance back of the opercular spine ; it is rounded posteriorly. The second dorsal, of a quadrangular form, commences just posterior to the first ; the extremities of its rays bifurcated. The pectorals are situated just back of the posterior portion of the opercula. Their length is equal to one fifth their height. The ventrals are situated just back of the base of the pectorals. The anal arises just posterior to the commencement of the second dorsal ; it is rounded at its extremity. The caudal is slightly emarginated. The fin rays are as follows : D. 9 - 13. P. 15. V. 6. A. 11. C. 15. Length three inches. Remarks. This species is not uncommon in the small streams of the western portion of the State. Massachusetts, STORER. Connecticut, OLMSTED, AYRES. New York, DEKAT. Pennsylvania, HALDEMAN. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. GENUS VI. ASPIDOPHORUS, LACEP. Body octagonal, covered with scaly plates ; head thicker than the body, with points and depressions above, flattened below ; teeth in both jaws only, none on the vomer ; snout with recurved spines ; branchiostegous rays, six ; body tapering to the tail ; one or two dorsal fins distinct. ASPIDOPHORUS MONOPTERYGIUS, Cuv. The Aspidophore. (PLATE VIII. FIG. 1.) Cotlus monopterygius, BLOCK, 178. " " Single-firmed Butt-head, SHAW, Gen. Zool., iv. p. 265. L'Jlspidopltore & une settle dorsale, Jigonus monopterygius, BL., SCHN. Aspidophoroide Tranquebar, LACEP., Cov. et VAL., iv. p. 224 ; vi. p. 554. Cotttis (Aspidophorus) monopterygius, CUT., Aspidophore with one dorsal, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 50. Jlspidophoroides monopterygius, Bull-head, STOKER, Report, p. 22, pi. 1, fig. 1. " Cuv., Regne Animal, ed. VAL., pi. 21, fig. 3. Jlspidophorta monopterygius, American Aspidophore, 1 IKKAV, Report, p. 62, pi. 2, fig. 6. " " STOKER, Mem. Araer. Acad., New Series, 11. p. 309. " " STOKER, Synopsis, p. 57. Color. Above, a light brown, with six indistinct transverse black bands extending from the head to the tail ; those upon the anterior portion of the body the broader. Beneath lighter. Description. Body elongated, gradually tapering to the tail ; divided longitudinally by eight rows of scaly plates. Those which are situated just back of the head are much the largest. Above, from just back of the eyes to the dorsal fin, are two rows of these plates ; two rows on each side for some distance, and two rows beneath ; making the fish anterior to the dorsal fin octagonal, and posterior to that fin, hexagonal. The angles of the large scales upon the back form prominent ridges, and between them is thus formed a groove, which extends from the snout between the orbits of the eyes to the posterior extremity of the dorsal fin. Back of this fin is seen a dorsal ridge, instead of the furrow, which is continued to the tail. The length of the head is equal to about one seventh the entire length of the body ; width of head less than that of body. The whole head is bony ; the eyes are very large ; the orbitar bones prominent. The snout has two recurved spines at its ex- tremity, and a third and smaller one back of them, curving forwards. Mouth small ; numerous minute teeth are observed in both jaws. The dorsal fin is situated upon the posterior half of the body, at the extreme portion of the dorsal furrow. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 81 In this specimen, as well also as in those I previously examined, it is almost impossible to make out the number of fin rays ; but the following, if not perfectly accurate, is a near approximation: D. 5. P. 10. V. 4. A. 4. C. 16. Length 5 inches. Remarks. This species was first described by Bloch as the Coitus monopterygius, and afterwards more minutely by Cuvier as the Aspidophorus monopterygius, in the fourth volume of the " Histoire Naturelle des Poissons." Lacepede formed the genus Aspidophoroides to receive the species above described, it being the only known Aspidophorus with a single dorsal fin. At the time this genus was formed, the species of which we have been speaking was supposed to have been brought from the East Indies. Cuvier, however, in his description, says he has not received it from the East Indies in any of his numerous collections from that quarter of the world ; and finally, Richardson, in his " Fauna Boreali Americana," observed, " that it has lately been dis- covered to be an inhabitant of the Greenland seas, so that this sub-genus belongs entirely to the Northern hemisphere, and chiefly to the higher latitudes." Early in May, 1838, Mr. Jonathan Johnston, Jr., sent me three specimens of this species, which he had taken from the stomachs of haddock just caught within two miles of Nahant. They were each more or less mutilated ; from one of them, however, my friend Jeffries Wyman, M. D., was enabled to sketch the plate contained in my " Report oe the Icththyology of Massachusetts." In 1848, Captain Nathaniel E. Atwood sent me a specimen taken from a cod's mouth at Provincetown. This specimen, although somewhat injured when received, has furnished me with the accompanying figures, and given me an opportunity to revise my former description. Besides the specimens above referred to, Mr. William O. Ayres procured two others, in February, 1851, from the stomach of a halibut taken at Cape Cod ; and Mr. Stimpson one in May, from the stomach of a haddock caught in Boston Bay. These are the only individuals I have ever known to be taken south of Greenland. Massachusetts, STOEER. Greenland, RICHARDSON. GENUS VII. CRYPTACANTHODES, Noms. Body elongated, very much compressed, and gradually tapering to the tail. Des- titute of scales. Head broad, with no projecting spines ; the scapular and humeral spines, and the inferior edge of the preoperculum, prominent to the touch. Numerous depressions in frontal, suborbitar, inferior maxillary, and preopercular bones ; branchi- ostegous rays, seven ; mouth oblique ; a single dorsal fin, composed of strong spinous VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 12 82 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. rays enveloped by a common membrane, runs nearly the entire length of the fish, and unites, as well as the anal, with the tail. No ventral fins. C. MACULATUS, Spotted Wry-mouth. (PLATE VIII. FIG. 6.) Cryptucanthodes maculatus, Spotted Wry-mouth, STOKER, Report, p. 28. " DEKAY, Report, p. 63, pi. 18, fig. 50. " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 310. " " STOKER, Synopsis, p. 58. " H. R. STORER, Boat. Journ. Nat. Hist., vi. p. 254. Color. Body a dark reddish-brown tinged with violet. Abdomen and throat a dirty grayish-white. A row or two of moderate-sized dark-brown blotches above the lateral line, and another row immediately beneath it, extend throughout the greater part of its length to the tail. Tip and sides of head, snout, and anterior portion of under side of lower jaw, marked with smaller spots of the same color as those on the sides. Pupils black ; irides golden. Description. Length of head about one sixth the entire length ; greatest breadth about one half the length of the head. On each side of top of head, two prominent bony ridges run directly back from posterior angle of eye to occiput. The posterior angles of operculum and preoperculum ; the lower edge of preopercle ; the scapular bones, all seem like sharp points and edges concealed by the skin. The operculum is large and triangular, covered by the skin, as is also the preoperculum, which presents to the touch two sensible carinoe. Eyes circular, deeply sunk in the projecting orbits ; diameter of orbit about equal to distance between eyes. Nostrils tubular, situated on the side of the prominent snout, just at the edge of the intermaxillary bones. Lips fleshy; lower jaw projecting beyond the upper; mouth slanting obliquely downwards ; numerous teeth in jaws and upon the vomer and palatine bones, those on the back part of the jaws recurved, while those in front are smaller and nearly straight. Gape of mouth moderate. Branchiostegal membrane extended along and connected with the sides for a short distance. Lateral line straight and interrupted. The dorsal fin arises above the posterior half of the pectorals, and is continued to and united with the caudal ; all its rays are spinous and strong, concealed by a stout and fleshy membrane ; the first few rays are shortest. The pectorals arise beneath the membrane of the branchiae ; they are fleshy, small, and rounded. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 83 The anal arises upon the anterior half of body ; it is similar in its form and the character of its rays and their enveloping membrane to the dorsal, and is also, like that fin, connected with the caudal. The caudal is rounded, and appears like the prolongation of the dorsal and anal fins. D. 78. P. 15. A. 50. C. 15. Length three feet. Remarks. This is a very rare species. I have known of only seven individuals being taken. One of these Mr. Jonathan Johnson, Jr. sent me from Nahant ; one was found by Dr. Henry Bryant of this city, at Commercial Point, Dorchester; one I received from Captain Atwood of Provincetown ; three of the remainder were said to have been taken in Massachusetts Bay ; and the last was found by Horatio R. Storer on a beach in Nova Scotia. The finest specimen, taken by Captain Atwood, has served for the above description. GENUS VIII. HEMITRIPTERUS, Cuv. The head depressed ; two dorsals, as in Cottus ; no regular scales on the skin, but teeth in the palates. The head is bristly and spinous, and has several cutaneous appendages. The first dorsal is deeply emarginate, a circumstance which has led some authors to believe there were three dorsal fins. HEMITRIPTERUS ACADIANUS, Storer. The Deep-water Sculpin. (PLATE VII. FIG. 4.) Cottus Acadianus, Acadian Bull-head, PERN., Arc. Zool., n. p. 118. Scorpanaflava, Yellow Scorpcena, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 382, pi. 2, fig. 8. Scorptena purpurea et S. rufa, MITCHILI,, Amer. Month. Mag., n. p. 245, L' Hemitriptere de VAmerique, Hemitripterus Americanus, CUT. et VAL., IT. p. 268, pi. 84. Hemitripterus Americanus, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 50. " Regne Animal, ed. VAL., pi. 22, fig. 1. " GRIFFITH'S CUT., x. p. 141, pi. 53, fig. 3. " " Sea-Raven, Deep-water Sculpin, STORER, Report, p. 23. " " American Sea-Raven, DEKAY, Report, p. 56, pi. 6, fig. 16. " " LINSLEY, Cat. of Fishes of Conn. " " STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 310. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 58. Color. Varies exceedingly. Some specimens are of a deep blood-red ; others of a pinkish-purple ; while others still are of a yellowish-brown, darker on the back ; each, however, variegated on the head, sides, and fins with irregularly defined markings. Abdomen yellow. A large female, weighing five pounds and measuring twenty-six 84 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. inches in length, had the whole upper part of the body of a dark brown, elegantly variegated with white and dark-brown markings ; this appearance most striking upon the head, about the eyes, and along the upper jaw ; it is also observable beneath the chin and lower jaw. The branchial rays, as also the rays of the dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins, marked with transverse white lines, and the intervening membranes very minutely dotted with black. Abdomen white. In still another specimen of a reddish- brown color, transverse broad bands of sub-quadrangular form were noticeable upon the back ; one of these occupied the space between the first and fifth dorsal rays ; a second commenced at the seventh ray, and was continued to the fourteenth ; a third, between the fifteenth and sixteenth rays ; a fourth, between the eighteenth and twenty-second ; and a fifth, from the twenty-sixth to the twenty-eighth ; in the intervening spaces was a whitish marking beautifully edged with black. The orbits of the eyes were marked with white vertical lines. Pupils black ; irides yellowish-brown. Description. Body oblong, cylindrical. Surface granulated, and studded with in- numerable tubercles, which are quite large upon the back, and very small or almost entirely disappearing beneath the lateral line. Head large, spinous, hideous in appear- ance. The length of the head, measuring to the posterior extremity of the operculum, is about one fourth the entire length ; width of head across opercula equal to its length. Twelve more or less prominent, blunted, spinous tubercles on each side of the median line of the head ; the sharpest- pointed, which in some instances is naked, is just back of the nostril ; the largest are at the posterior angles of the eyes, and just in front of the dorsal fin. From several of these prominences, such as those at the anterior and posterior angles of the eyes and about the snout, are suspended fleshy digitated cirrhi ; those hanging over the eyes appear like a broad fringe. Orbitar cavity large. Eyes moderate in size ; the distance between the posterior superior angles of the eyes rather less than one fourth the length of the head ; space between them deeply depressed. The suborbitar bone presents an irregularly elevated ridge. The preoperculum at its posterior angle is armed with two strong spines ; the upper curves upwards and back- wards ; the inferior is directed backwards and downwards. The operculum is small, triangular, with an elevated longitudinal ridge at its superior part. The jaws are of equal length ; from the edge of the lower jaw are suspended about a dozen fleshy prolongations, similar to those attached to the prominences upon the head, but consider- ably larger. Mouth very large. The teeth in the jaws, pharynx, upon the vomer and palatine bones, numerous, sharp, and recurved like those of a card. The lateral line, which is tubercular, commences just above the posterior angle of the operculum, and, curving with the body, terminates at the base of the caudal rays. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OK MASSACHUSETTS. 85 The first dorsal fin arises just back of the posterior spines of the head. The first three rays of this fin are longest ; the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth rays are next in length ; from the extremities of the rays are suspended delicate tentacula. Just back of the first dorsal arises the second, appearing as if connected with it ; and hence described by Mitchill as one fin. It is of a somewhat quadrangular form, rounded above when expanded, and having the extremities of the rays projecting be- yond the connecting membrane. Height of the fin one third of its length. The pectorals are very large ; when expanded resembling a wing. The rays are uncommonly distinct ; the eight anterior are stout and unequal in their length, the anterior one being much the shorter ; the ten posterior are rounded posteriorly when expanded ; the four anterior of these latter, the larger. These fins arise from the entire lower edge of the branchial aperture ; their height to their length is as four to two and a half. The ventrals arise just back of the first rays of the pectorals. They are composed of three rays, the first of which is shorter and much stouter than the second. In some specimens, however, the first ray is the longest of the three. The anal commences and terminates on the same plane with the second dorsal. The first nine rays of this fin are deeply divided at their extremities. This is much more marked in some specimens than in others. The length is to the height as three and a half to one and a half. The length of the caudal is two thirds of its height. The fin rays are as follows : D. 16-13. P. 18. V. 3. A. 15. C. 12f. Length two feet. Remarks. This species is frequently taken by the cod-fishermen in deep water in the neighborhood of ledges in Massachusetts Bay. Nova Scotia and Gulf of St. Lawrence, CUVIER, RICHARDSON. Maine, Massa- chusetts, STORER. Connecticut, LINSLEY. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. Inasmuch as authors generally suppose this to be the Acadianus of Pennant, I am compelled to assume his specific name. It is to be regretted, however, that his description should have been so meagre ; and that, while he described well enough the dorsal fins, he should have utterly neglected mentioning the characteristic cirrhi of the head ; this can only be accounted for upon the supposition that he never saw a recent specimen. 86 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. GENUS IX. SEBASTES, Cuv. Body oblong, compressed, covered with scales ; all the upper parts of the head also covered with scales. Eyes large ; preoperculum and operculum ending in three or more spines ; branchiostegous rays, seven ; teeth small, numerous, equal in size, placed on both jaws, the vomer, and palatine bones ; a single dorsal fin, partly spinous, partly flexible ; inferior rays of the pectoral fin simple. SEBASTES NORVEGICUS, Cuv. The Norway Haddock. (PLATE VII. FIG. 1.) Perca Norvegica, FAB., Fauna Groenl., p. 167. Perca marina, Sea-Perch, PENH., Brit. Zool., p. 226. Scrranus Noreegicus, FLEM., Brit. An., p. 212, sp. 140. Scorpana Norvegica, Northern Sebastes, JEN., Brit. Vert., p. 347. Sebastes Norvegicus, GRIFFITH'S Cov., x. p. 144. La Sdbaste stplentrionale, Sebastes Norecgicus, Cuv. et VAL., iv. p. 327, pi. 87. Scorpcena (Sebastes) Norvegica, Northern Sebastes, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., HI. p. 52. Sebastes Norvegicus, Bergylt, Norway Haddock, YARRELL, Brit. Fishes (2d edit.), i. p. 87. " " Norway Haddock, Rose-Jish, Hemdurgan Snapper, STOKER, Report, p. 26. " " Northern Sebastes, DEKAY, Report, p. 60, pi. 4, fig. 11. " " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, 11. p. 312. " " STOKER, Synopsis, p. 60. Color. In the recent fish the entire body, together with the fins, is of a beautiful bright red, with the exception of a black blotch upon the posterior portion of the oper- culum. After death the color partially disappears upon the throat and abdomen, and the space beneath the ventrals becomes nearly white ; and at the posterior base of the soft portion of the dorsal a dull blotch is observed. Pupils black ; irides yellow. Description. Body oblong, compressed, covered with small rough scales. Length of the head, from the tip of lower jaws when closed, to the posterior angle of the operculum, about one third the entire length ; head flattened above, between the eyes and upon the occiput. The operculum is armed with three spines ; one pointing upwards and backwards at its posterior superior angle ; a second beneath this, directed obliquely backwards and downwards ; and a third, much smaller, at its inferior angle. The preoperculum is rounded at its edge, and furnished with five spinous processes ; the three posterior of which are the larger. Two spines upon the scapular bones, and two upon the suborbitars. Four spinous projections upon the supra-orbitars, all of which are pointed backwards ; one at the upper anterior angle of the eye ; a second with its base continued along the greater portion of the ridge ; and two smaller ones behind. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 87 Two elevated sharp ridges upon the occiput, which bifurcate posteriorly into spinous points. Eyes circular, very large ; the diameter of the orbit nearly equal to one third the length of the head, when the jaws are closed ; the distance between the eyes equal to five eighths the diameter of the eye. The nostrils are just in front of the eyes; the posterior is much the larger. The jaws, pharynx, vomer, and palatine bones are armed with numerous minute, sharp teeth ; the upper jaw is very protractile, and has an emargination at its centre, into which the extremity of the lower jaw shuts, when the mouth is closed. The chin is prominent. The lateral line arises above the oper- culum, and, taking the curve of the body, terminates at the caudal rays ; about thirty- six tubes are seen in the course of the line, which are more nearly approximated at the posterior portion of the body. The dorsal fin commences on a line with the upper opercular spine. Its anterior half is composed of spinous rays ; the length of its highest rays is equal to about one third the length of the fin ; the connecting membrane does not extend to the summit of the rays, and they are thus left naked and projecting. The posterior half of this fin is composed of membranous rays which are higher than the spinous ones; the length of this portion, which is rounded above and posteriorly, is less than one half the length of the spinous portion. The pectorals commence on a line with the third dorsal ray ; they are rounded when expanded. The rays project beyond the connecting membrane ; the length of these fins is equal to one third their height ; the middle rays are the longest. The ventrals are fan-shaped, and situated just back of the pectorals ; their first ray is a strong spine ; the second membranous ray is the longest. The anal has three strong spines ; the posterior the longest. The first membranous ray is equal to the length of the fin. The caudal is slightly emarginated at its tip ; its length less than one third its height. The fin rays are as follows: D. 15-15. P. 18. V. 1-5. A. 3-7. C. 19. Length one foot. In the specimens I have seen, the preopercular and opercular spines are much more developed than they appear in Cuvier's figure of this species. Yarrell's and Dekay's figures are copies from that of Cuvier. Remarks. This species is known to our fishermen by the names of " Rose-fish," " Hemdurgan," and " Snapper." It is not common in Massachusetts Bay ; it is occa- sionally taken during the winter, and rarely in the summer, while fishing for cod, near shoal ledges contiguous to deep water. It is not a marketable fish with us, although HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. it is freely eaten by the Norwegians. Captain Atwood informs me that he never saw a specimen of this fish on the southern shore of Massachusetts Bay. The fisher- men have an erroneous opinion that the spines of this species are very poisonous. It weighs from one to five pounds. Greenland, FABRICIUS. Gulf of St. Lawrence, RICHARDSON. Maine, WOOD. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, DEKAY. GENUS X. GASTEROSTEUS, Cuv. Body without scales, more or less plated on the sides ; one dorsal fin with free spines. Ventral fin with one strong spine, and no other rays ; bones of the pelvis forming a shield, pointed behind ; branchiostegous rays three. GASTEROSTEUS BIACULEATUS, Mitchill. The Two-spined Stickleback. (PLATE VIII. FIG. 2,3.) Gatteroslevt biaculeatus, Two-spined Stickleback, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 430, pi. 1, fig. 10. " " " DEKAY, Report, p. 65, pi. 3, fig. 8. " " " " STORER, Mem. of Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 314. " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 62. " " H. R. STORER, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist,, vi. p. 260. Color. The living fish is of an olive-green color above, lighter upon the sides, silvery beneath. Gill-covers silvery, spotted with fuliginous. Pupils black ; irides silvery. Fins colorless ; in the dead specimens yellowish. Description. Body oblong, compressed, becoming abruptly very slender at the base of the tail. On each side of the body are about thirty transverse horny plates, the posterior of which are the narrower; these plates are indistinctly striated. The lateral line is situated high up on the back ; it takes the curve of the body, and is lost in the carina on the side of the tail. The head is less than one fourth the length of the body ; above it is bony and granulated, as in the Prionoti, and flattened. The mouth is pro- tractile. The jaws are equal, and furnished with numerous minute teeth. The eyes are large and circular. ,The nostrils are large, and situated about half way between the eye and the snout. The opercula are covered with radiating strife, as in the Syngnathi. A broad silvery plate bounds the branchial orifice posteriorly. On each side of the base of the tail is a distinct membranous carina. There are two distinct spines of about equal size situated upon the dorsum anterior to the dorsal fin ; these spines are broad at their base, strongly serrated on their sides, very acute at their extremity, HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 89 slightly recurved, and capable of being elevated or depressed at the will of the fish ; the anterior of these is situated over the silvery plate back of the branchial orifice ; the posterior is above the middle of the pectorals. Just anterior to the origin of the dorsal fin, and almost connected with it, is another very minute spine, which is naked throughout the greater portion of its extent. The dorsal fin is longer than high ; its posterior rays are very short. The pectorals are elongated, broad, and fan-shaped when expanded. In front of the pectorals two prominent, acute, serrated spines, with a bony process at their external base, are observed in place of the ventrals. Between these spines is situated a bony plate formed like the head of a lance, granulated upon its surface, serrated at its edges, with a central carina. (Plate VIII. Fig. 3.) The anal commences posterior to the dorsal, and terminates on a line with that fin. Like the dorsal, it is preceded by an exceedingly minute spine. The caudal is scarcely emarginated. The fin rays are as follows: D. 2- 1 - 11. P. 10. V. 1. A. 1-6. C. 12. Length two inches to two and a half. Remarks. Specimens of this species were brought me by my son, Horatio R. Storer, from small pools of water left at low tide on the rocks at Nahant, and also from the marshes at Brookline. Captain Atwood has likewise sent me individuals from Province town. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. Nova Scotia, H. R. STORER. New Brunswick, PERLEY. This species may perhaps have been the one referred to by Forster and Pennant ; but it does not seem to be the Northern Two-spined Stickleback, which has been lately described by Girard from specimens brought from Labrador by my son, under the name of G. Cuvieri. GASTEROSTEUS QUADRACUS, Mitchill. The Four-spined Stickleback. (PLATE VIII. FIG. 4.) Gasterosteus quadrants, Four-spined Stickleback, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 430, pi. 1, fig. 11. L'Epinoche it quatre aiguilles (Gasterosteus quadracus, MITCH.), Cuv. et VAL., IT. p. 504. L'Epinoche a bassinfendu (Gasterosteus apeltes, Ccv.), Cuv. et VAL., iv. p. 505. Gasterosteus apeltes, Bloody Stickleback, STORKR, Report, p. 31. Gasterosteus quadracus, Four-spined Stickleback, DEKAY, Report, p. 67, pi. 6, fig. 18. " " " " STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, . p. 315. " " " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 63. VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 13 90 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. Color. When alive, greenish-brown above the lateral line ; beneath this line, which is very perceptible, the color is darker, and is broken irregularly by the extension of the whiteness of the abdomen. In young specimens the color is distributed in four or five transverse bands, which are indistinct in the mature fish. The membranous portion attached to the posterior inferior part of the ventral spine is of a bright scarlet color, which causes this part to appear as if covered with blood, when the fish is suddenly darting through the water, with the spine projecting. Description. Body slightly convex in front of the first dorsal spine. Length of the head equal to nearly one fifth the length of the body. Three or four movable spines are situated in front of the dorsal fin, with a membrane at their base. Directly before the dorsal fin, and connected with it by a membrane at its base, is a fifth spine, which is equal to about two thirds the height of the rays of this fin. Commencing at the base of the first spine, and terminating at the spine of the dorsal fin, is situated a groove, into which the larger spines are received when recumbent. The first and second spines are each equal in length to one third of the head ; when erect, one or more of these spines frequently project outward from the straight line ; the others are shorter ; the fourth, when there are five, is the shortest. The rays of the pectorals are very delicate. The ventral spine is serrated on its anterior edge. The os innominatum extends, on each side, almost to the anus. At the origin of the anal fin is situated a recurved spine, rather larger than that at the origin of the dorsal fin. The first rays of the anal fin are the highest. This fin terminates opposite the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is slightly rounded, when expanded. The fin rays are as follows : D. 3 or 4, 1 - 12. P. 1 1. V. 1. A. 10. C. 13. Length one to two inches. Remarks. This species, which Mitchill concisely described and badly figured in his paper on the Fishes of New York, is found in large numbers in creeks to which the sea has access, from Boston to Provincetown, and also in the mouths of rivers. Massachusetts, STOKER. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. In this species, as in others of the genus, the number of dorsal spines varies. Cuvier's Noveboracensis is probably a variety with three spines, and my son has taken specimens with five spines in salt marshes at Cambridge. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 91 GASTEROSTEUS DEKAYI, Agassiz. The Many-spined Stickleback. (PLATE VIII. FIG. 5.) Gasterosteus pungitius, Ten-spined Stickleback, STOKER, Report, p. 32. Gasterosteus occidentalis, Many-spined Stickleback, DEKAY, Report, p. 68, pi. 42. fig. 135. " " " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 315. " " " STORER, Synopsis, p. 63. Gasterosteus Dekayi, AGASSIZ, Lake Superior, p. 311. Color. When alive, this fish is of a grayish-yellow color, with from six to ten transverse dark bands upon its sides, which are very distinct in some specimens, while in others they are scarcely visible. In the same individual, these bands are much more apparent at some moments than at others, as the fish is excited by fear or other causes. The opercula and abdomen are silvery. Pupils black ; irides metallic. After death the color of the fish is much lighter, and the bands, in a great measure, disappear. Description. Body much elongated. Greatest depth of the fish rather more than one eighth of its length. Length of the head one fifth the length of the entire fish. The mouth opens obliquely downwards ; the jaws are armed with great numbers of minute teeth. The eyes are circular ; the diameter of the eye is equal to about one quarter the length of the head. The lateral line commences at the posterior superior angle of the operculum, and pursues a slightly declining course to a line over the anus, from which it passes in a straight line to the tail. A strongly marked carina upon each side of the tail, which is crossed by twelve or more plates. Upon the dorsum are situated from eight to ten incurved spines, inclining to the right and left. The first of these spines arises on a line midway between the opercula and pectoral fin. The dorsal fin arises on a line directly above the anal spine, and gradually diminishes in height, until its rays are scarcely perceptible. The ventral spines are stout, sharp, somewhat incurved, serrated upon their upper edge, with a membrane at their base. A bony plate is situated between the ventral spines, which terminates posteriorly in a point. The anal fin is similar in its form to the dorsal ; its spine is recurved. The caudal fin is rounded. The fin rays are as follows : D. 8 or 9 or 10. 1-7. P. 11. V. 1. A. 1-9. C. 13. Length one to two inches. Remarks. This pretty species, which is less common than the quadracus, is found 92 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. in the salt marshes along the sea-coast in company with that species and the different killifish. Agassiz considers this species distinct from the occidentalis of Cuvier, and has accordingly named it for Dekay, who had previously expressed doubts of its identity. Maine, H. R. STOKER. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, DEKAY. FAMILY III. This family is very similar to that of the Percoids, and presents nearly all the same combinations of exterior characters, especially the denticulations of the preo- perculum, and the spines of the operculum ; but it has no teeth, either on the vomer or palatines ; in general, the bones of the cranium and face are cavernous, and form a snout more or less rounded. It often occurs in this family that the vertical fins are rather scaly. Some of the genera have two dorsals, others but one. GENUS I. OTOLITHUS, Cuv. The bones of the anal fin are weak, and there are no barbels ; some of the teeth terminate in elongated hooks, or are of the canine form. Their natatory bladder has a horn on each side, projecting forwards. ( To be Continued. ) ft P.raaford's lun. 1-3.LABRAX . RUFUS.Dekay. 4-6. LABRAX LINEATUSCuv. A K onrel on stone 1-3. PERCA FIAVHSCRNS Cuv 4-G.CEOTROPRISTES VARIUS Storer. PI. 3. 1'appaix ft Bradford's 1-3. POMOTIS VULGARTS Guv- fc-6. POMOTIS APPENDIX Deliay. PI. 4. Prmied "by Tappan 8t Bradford. 1.ACANTHOCOTTUS VAR1ABILIS 3. COITUS &RACILIS Heckel. - 4-6 BOLEOSOMA OLM3TEDI A6 . Pl.S. Princed. by Ta-ppajv ec Bradford l-3.PR10"NOTUSPALMIPESStorcr.-4--6.PJUONOTUS LINEATUS Dekay. Pl.S. , W.H Tappoa 8t A.Som-el fro Printed by Tappan. fk 1-4.PRIO^OTUS PILATUS 5.6.DACTYLOPTERUS VOLITANS Cuv. PI. 7. A.Scmrel .from nal ed tyTappan ft. Bradford. 1-3.SEBASTES NORVEGICUS Cuv.^4.HEMITRIPTERUS ACADIANUS Storer oO 6 I 1 I G> O -* E/O CO O pC H H ro Cxi 1 1 > -OC CJ> 00 p PH O M O P-i O in CO g O ffi fin O p I I PLn 00 XII. A History of the Fishes of Massachusetts. BY DAVID HUMPHREYS STOKER, M. D., A. A. S. (Continued from page 168.) FAMILY VIII. GOBID^E. Body more or less elongated. Scales small or entirely wanting. The spines of the dorsal fin slender and flexible. Branchial aperture small. Ventrals, when present, placed in advance of the pectorals. Many viviparous. GENUS I. BLENNIUS, Cuv. Head rounded and blunt; body smooth, unctuous, compressed; a single elongated dorsal fin ; ventral fins placed before the pectorals, and containing generally but two rays, united at their base ; teeth slender, in a single row. BLENNIUS SERPENTINUS, Storer. The Snake-shaped Blenny. (PLATE XVII. FIG. 1.) Blennlus serpentinus, STOKER, Proceedings of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., in. p. 30, April. 1848. Color. Upper part and sides, of a yellowish-brown, with intervening colorless spaces. Abdomen white. The dorsal fins are brownish, with broad, oblique, white bands. Pectorals white, the outer ray brownish. Anal and caudal white with a tinge of yellow. Ventrals white. VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 36 258 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. Description. Body very much elongated and compressed. Length of head about one tenth the length of the body; convex upon its posterior portion; blunted ante- riorly ; compressed upon sides. Gape of mouth moderate ; upper jaw the longer ; a single row of minute teeth in each jaw. Lips fleshy. Nostrils tubular, directly in front of eye. Greatest depth of body about one twentieth its length. Eyes obliquely oblong ; their longest diameter equal to one sixth the length of the head. The first dorsal fin commences on a line above the pectorals, and is continued to the second dorsal, to which it is connected by a membrane, and terminates anterior to the middle of the fish. Its anterior three spines are the shortest. Posterior to the fifth ray, the fin is of a uniform height throughout, with the exception of the two last rays, which are shorter. The second dorsal, which is of nearly a uniform height throughout, terminates at the fleshy portion of the tail. The pectorals, when closed, are lanceolate ; rounded when expanded. The rays are branched and free at their tips. The ventrals are situated beneath and in front of the pectorals. The inner ray the longer. The anal commences on the anterior third of the body, and terminates on a line with the second dorsal. The caudal is rounded. The fin rays are as follows : D. 37 - 50. P. 13. V. 2. A. 66. C. 22. Length of specimen, sixteen inches. Remarks. The preceding description is drawn up from the only specimen of this fish that I have ever seen. It was brought me by Captain Nathaniel E, Atwood, who took it from the stomach of a cod-fish in Massachusetts Bay, early in April, 1848. GENUS II. PHOLIS, FLEMING. Neither cirrhi nor fleshy crests upon the orbits. PHOLIS SUBBIFURCATUS, Storer. The Radiated Shanny. Pholis subbifurcatus, Subbifurcated Pholis, STORER, Report, p. 63. " " Radiated Slianny, DEKA.T, Report, p. 150. " " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, ii.fp. 370. " " " Synopsis, p. 118. Color. General color of the body, reddish-brown ; several lighter-colored circular HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 259 patches along its upper part, at the base of the dorsal fin ; the spaces between the rings darker than the rest of the body, presenting the appearance of bars. From be- neath the eye a broad black band, wider at its base, crosses the operculum obliquely ; two other bands of the same color extend from behind the eye backwards, in nearly a straight line, the distance of from one to two lines. Body beneath the lateral line lighter colored ; abdomen yellowish-white. Head above, brownish ; opercula and pre- opercula yellow. Numerous black spots upon dorsal fin Those upon the five first rays larger. Pectorals light, with some darker shades. Edge of anal dark-colored. Small dark-colored spots upon caudal. Description. Length, including tail, five inches five lines ; depth across on a line with the anus, one inch ; body much compressed. Body smooth, scales very minute. Length of head, from tip of snout to posterior angle of the operculum, is to the entire jength of body, as one to three ; entire surface destitute of scales ; jaws somewhat protractile, armed with prominent sharp teeth ; lips large and fleshy ; over nostrils a minute filament one third of a line in length ; circumference of eye two lines. The lateral line commences just above the angle of the operculum, and having ex- tended two lines, subbifurcates ; passing down in a gradual curve a little more than a line, it is continued in a straight course to the base of the caudal fin ; while the upper portion abruptly terminates opposite the fourteenth ray of the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin, commencing on a line with the posterior angle of the operculum, is continued to the caudal fin ; the first five rays of this fin are shorter than the sixth ; the rays become again shorter as they approach the tail. The pectorals are rounded ; they arise on a line with the posterior angle of the operculum. The ventrals are situated two lines in front of the pectorals ; the rays are united throughout the greater portion of their extent ; extremities free. The anus is situated two and a half inches from the extremity of the jaws. The anal fin commences just half-way between the tip of the snout and the ex. tremity of the tail. The caudal fin is rounded. The number of fin rays are as follows: D. 43. P. 13. V. 3. A. 30. C. 14. Remarks. I have seen but a single specimen of this fish ; it was found at an un- usually low tide among the sea-weed at Nahant, in 1838, and brought to me by my brother-in-law, Thomas M. Brewer, M. D. It was placed in the collection of the Boston Society of Natural History, and has been destroyed, compelling me to introduce here my former description, and preventing me from giving a figure. 260 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. GENUS III. GUNNELLUS, FLEMING. Body elongated, much compressed. Head oblong. Mouth small. Teeth velvet- like, or in cards. Dorsal rays spinous throughout. Ventrals excessively small, and reduced often to a single spine. GUNNELLUS MUCRONATUS, Cuv. The Butter-fish. (PLATE XVII. FIG. 2.) Ophidium mucronatum, Spinous Ophidium, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 361, pi. 1, fig. 1. Le Gonnelle epineux, Gunndlus mucronatus, Cuv., Cuv. et VAL., xi. p. 427. Blennius (Centronotus) gunndlus, LIN., Spotted Gunndle, RICH., Fauna Boreal. Americ., in. p. 91. Murcenoides guttata, Spotted Gunnel, LACEP., STOKER, Report, p. 65. Gunndlus mucronatus, American Butter-fish, DEKAY, Report, p. 153, pi. 12, fig. 36. " " STOKEB, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 374. " " " Synopsis, p. 122. " " H. R. STOBEH, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vi. p. 261. Color. The living fish is of an olive-brown color, with numerous transverse, indis- tinct, darker bands upon the sides ; about twelve black ocelli along the base of the dorsal fin, each surrounded by a yellow ring. Fins yellow; the anal barred with white. Pupils black; irides golden. Abdomen yellowish. An oblique black band passes from beneath the eye to the throat. Description. Body elongated, compressed, scaleless ; and so translucent, that when the fish is held to the light, the vertebral column is distinctly seen. Head about one tenth the length of the body, convex above, blunted anteriorly. Gape of mouth nearly vertical. Jaws equal. Minute sharp teeth upon each jaw, and upon vomer. The dorsal fin, which is composed of spinous rays entirely concealed, save their points, by the membrane, is but slightly raised above the back, and commences on a line above the posterior angle of the operculum, and is continued nearly to the tail, to which it is attached by a membrane. The pectorals, which are situated just beneath the posterior angle of the operculum, are small and delicate. Two small spines, attended each by a delicate filamentous ray, directly in front of the pectorals, take the place of the ventrals. The anal fin, which is rather higher than the dorsal, commences on the posterior half of the body, and is continued nearly to the tail, to which it is attached by a membrane, as the dorsal. The first two rays are spinous, the remainder flexible. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 261 The caudal is rounded when expanded. The fin rays are as follows : D. 75 - 78. P. 11 or 12. V. 1. A. 2, 36 - 40. C. 16-18. Length four to twelve inches. Remarks. This pretty species is common at Nahant, Provincetown, and Holmes's Hole, and probably along our entire sea-coast. At low tide it is found upon the beaches beneath stones and sand. On account of the mucus with which it is covered it is known as the Butter-fish. From being enveloped in this secretion, it is with difficulty retained in the hand after it is captured. It is frequently found in the stomachs of other fishes. My son has detected it on the shores of Nova Scotia, and thence south- ward as far as our own waters. Bay of Fundy (Island of Grand Menan), Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire, H. R STOKER. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. GUNNELLUS MACROCEPHALUS, Girard. The Big-headed Gunnel. (PLATE XVII. FIG 3.) Gunnellus macrocephalus, GIKAED, H. E. STOREH, Fishes of Labrador, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vi. p. 263. Color. Marbled, and banded transversely. Base of dorsal with the generic dark spots, in number twelve or more. Description. Body elongated, compressed, attaining its greatest depth just posterior to opercular angle. Head quite large, abrupt, triangularly prismatic, the base down- ward, flattened, however, on occiput ; its length one eighth that of body, and just equal to greatest depth of body. Cheeks protuberant. Gape of mouth large, obliquely up- ward, so that lower jaw, projecting when open, does not equal the upper when mouth is closed. Teeth in two rows in front of jaws ; the principal row being the inside one on lower jaw, and the outside one on upper jaw. Eyes moderate, their horizontal diameter double the distance between them. Scales moderate, of nearly equal size throughout body ; when covered with mucus, giving the appearance of granulation. Lateral line straight, running along middle of body. The dorsal fin commences above posterior angle of operculum, and is connected to the caudal by a membrane of less height than its own. Its first rays nearly straight, its posterior ones strongly curved. Its height greatest on a line above tips of pectorals. Membrane stoutest posteriorly. The pectorals are of moderate size, somewhat fan-shaped. 262 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The ventrals are strongly marked, both the spine and filamentary ray, situated an- teriorly to pectorals. The anal commences about on median line, connected with caudal by a low mem- brane, and is of nearly equal height throughout. First two rays spinous, the anterior the stouter. Its posterior rays longer than corresponding ones of dorsal. The caudal is quite large, circular when expanded. Length, eight inches. The fin rays are as foUows : D. 76. P. 12. V. I. 1. A. II. 41. C. 20. Remarks. The specimen from which I have drawn the above description was taken alive, in 1848, by Mr. Girard, from a sand-pool on Chelsea Beach at low tide. It is the only specimen of which I have knowledge, and has since been in the possession of Professor Agassiz, from whom I have it. Its specific value was detected by Mr. Girard while comparing the Labrador species of my son, Gunnellus ingens, with the mucro- natus of our own shores. It most nearly resembles the former, of which there is an accurate and beautiful plate in Vol. VI. of the Boston Journal of Natural History, but is clearly distinct from both. " Its size is nearly that of G. ingens, and is consequently much greater than that of the average G. mucronatus. It differs from G. ingens in having a proportionally larger head, whence a larger mouth and larger teeth. These last are longer than those of G. ingens ; their tip is club-shaped in both. Profile of head very convex above eyes, whereas in G. ingens the convexity of the head is in advance of the eyes, thus giving to it a more rounded appearance. Body more compressed than that of G. ingens ; height also greater. Lateral line straighter than in that species. The vent, placed under the thirty-fifth dorsal ray, is at an equal distance from the snout and the tip of the caudal, whilst it is a little farther back in G. ingens, and rather nearer the head in G. mucronatus. " The dorsal and anal are much higher than in either G. ingens or mucronatus. The dorsal begins a little farther back than in G. ingens. The pectorals are larger ; their tip reaching beyond a line with the seventh dorsal spine. " The rays of the anal show the remarkable peculiarity of having at their anterior and convex margin several small rays converging in an acute angle from the tip to the third or half of the length of the principal ray itself, in imitation on a small scale of the finlets of Scomber and Polypterus, with this difference, however, that in these last the additional small rays are on the posterior margin. In G. ingens these rays are di- chotomized ; in G. mucronatus they are simple." The ventrals also are larger and placed more anteriorly than in the G. ingens. Massachusetts, GIRARD. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 263 GENUS IV. ZOARCES, Cuv. Body elongated, and covered with a mucous secretion, in which are imbedded very small scales. Dorsal, anal, and caudal united ; no spinous rays in the dorsal, except on its posterior part. Ventrals jugular, small. Vent with a tubercle. Teeth conical, in two or three rows in front, in a single row on the sides ; none on the palate or tongue. Branchial rays, six. ZOAECES ANGUILLARIS, StOTCT. The Eel-shaped Blenny. (PLATE XVII. FIG. 4.) Blennius anguillaris, PECK, Mem. Amcr. Acad., n. pt. 2, p. 46, fig. Blennius labrosus, Large-lipped Blenny, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 375, pi. 1, fig. 7. Le Zoarces a grosses tevres, Zoarces labrosus, Cuv. et VAL., xi. p. 466, pi. 342. Zoarces anyuiilaris, Eel-shaped Blenny, STOHEK, Report, p. 66. " " ITiick-lipped Eel-pout, DEKAT, Report, p. 155, pi. 16, fig. 45. " Eel-shaped Blenny, STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 375. " " " " " Synopsis, p. 123. " H. R. STOEEK, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vi. p. 263. Color. The living fish is of a light salmon-color, mottled with irregular olive blotches, darker towards the head. The front and top of the head are of a light brown ; two indistinct oblique bands upon the operculum, one back, the other in front, of the eye, on each side of the head. Body beneath white ; neck flesh-colored. The dorsal fin is almost white, salmon-colored at its edge. The pectorals are of a true salmon- color, lighter at their origin. The ventrals are salmon-colored. The anal fin is flesh- colored at its base, salmon-colored at its edge, with seven distinct white blotches in its length. The dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins are perfectly transparent. In the dead specimen the colors are deeper ; the general tint is a yellowish-brown or fawn color, sprinkled with darker patches. The front and top of the head are livid ; the gill-covers are lighter, but rather dull. The dorsal and anal fins are greenish tinged with yellow. Description. Body very much elongated, tapering to a point, compressed posteriorly. Its entire surface, with the exception of the head, exhibits innumerable minute cup- like depressions. Head large, compressed at its sides, broad and flat above as far as the angle of the eyes, convex at forehead. Cheeks protuberant. Lips exceedingly fleshy ; the upper lip is very large, projecting beyond the lower, and in some individuals even an inch beyond it ; the under lip is less fleshy than the upper, and is suspended at its angles like those of a mastiff. The upper jaw slightly projects beyond the lower. 264 HISTORY OP THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The teeth are large and conical; those in the back of the jaw the sharper; a single row from the entire angle of the upper jaw the extent of four teeth ; then a double row of three teeth ; then to the middle of the jaw a row of three teeth deep ; the front teeth of this triple row are the largest in the jaw. From the outer angle of the lower jaw towards the middle, a single row of eight teeth exists ; then a double row of five to six teeth, to the middle of the jaw ; three rows of sharp teeth in the upper pharyngeals ; two rows in the lower pharyngeals. Tongue large, fleshy, smooth. Nostrils tubular, situated about half-way between the eyes and the snout ; the distance between the eyes is equal to about one sixth the length of the head. The lateral line, which is most perceptible in immature specimens, commences above the operculum, at a distance in front of its posterior angle equal to the distance between the eyes, and, passing just beyond the posterior angle of the operculum, makes a slight curve downwards, and then passes on towards the posterior extremity of the body in a straight course. The fins are all enveloped in a fleshy membrane. The dorsal fin commences some distance anterior to the posterior angle of the oper- culum, and is continued to the tail ; previous to reaching which, however, about seven- teen of its rays lose their fleshy portion, and exhibit only their spinous bases. The first ray of the dorsal is quite low ; the succeeding three or four gradually become higher, making the commencement of the fin to appear rounded when expanded ; it gradually diminishes in its height, so that the posterior rays are about two thirds the height of the anterior portion. The pectorals are broad, rounded at their extremities ; the extremities of the inferior rays are slightly scalloped. The ventrals, appearing like little warts, are situated in front of the pectorals ; they are composed of two rays, but, being enveloped in a tough membrane, appear as one. The anal fin is about half the height of the dorsal ; terminating in the caudal, it runs off to an acute point ; the rays of these two fins cannot be distinguished from each other. The fin rays, as far as practicable to be counted, are as follows: D. 118 or 120. P. 19 or 20. V. 2. A. 100. Length, three feet. Remarks. As early as the year 1804, Professor Peck wrote a very good description of this species, and accompanied it with a figure, in the Memoirs of the American Academy. It is occasionally taken at all seasons of the year, but more frequently in the spring and summer. It sometimes attains the size of three and a half feet, and weighs from one to twelve pounds. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 265 It feeds upon the Mollusca and Testacea, and the flesh of the young fish is sweet and very palatable. The following shells I have found in its stomach : Buccinum undatum, Fusus corneus and pleurotomarius and turricula, Turbo inflatus and obscwus, Natica triseriata and consolidata, Bulla tritacea, Tellina sordida, Nucula minuta, Trichotropis borealis, Turritella erosa, Venus gemma, Pecten Islandicus ; and a species of Pectinaria. It is seldom met with in Boston market ; occasionally, however, it is brought in by the cod-fishers of Massachusetts Bay, by whom it is known as the Ling and Conger-Eel. Captain Atwood informs me that it is not taken so often at Provincetown of late years as formerly. My son observed it on the coast of Labrador in 1849. Labrador, H. R. STOKER. New Hampshire, PECK. Maine, Massachusetts, STOKER- New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. GENUS V. ANARRHICAS, LIN. Head smooth, rounded, muzzle obtuse ; body elongated, covered with minute scales ; dorsal and anal fins long, distinct from the caudal ; no ventral fins. Teeth of two kinds ; those in front elongated, curved, pointed ; the others on the vomer, as also on the jaws, truncated or slightly rounded ; branchiostegous rays, six. ANARRHICAS VOMERINUS, Agassis, MS. The American Wolf-fish. (PLATE XVIII. FIG. 1. ( \ ?' 4 hea ^ in front '. \ \ (l.o. teeth as seen in front./ Anarrhicas lupus, Sea- Wolf, MITCHILL, Amer. Month. Mag., v. p. 242. " " " STOKER, Report, p. 69. " " " DEKAY, Report, p. 158, pi. 16, fig. 43. " " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 376. " " " " Synopsis, p. 124. Anarrhicas vomerinus, AGASSIZ, MS. Color. Of a purplish brown, with ten or twelve transverse nearly black bars pass- ing from the abdomen high upon the dorsal fin. Beneath lighter. One large speci- men was of a light flesh-color, thickly spotted with moderately sized black ocelli. Rays of dorsal black, intervening membrane dark gray or slate ; pectorals and anal leaden-gray ; caudal slate-color, reddish at extremity. Description. Body elongated, subcylindrical, compressed posteriorly, covered with an extremely viscid secretion. Head large, compressed at sides, rounded, slightly flattened above. Length of head more than one fourth the entire length of the body. Rows VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 37 266 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. of circular mucous pores are seen passing from the snout backwards beneath the eye to the occiput ; also irregularly distributed upon the cheeks and along the upper por- tion of the operculum ; a few are observed upon the lower jaw. Eyes moderate in size, the distance between the eyes equal to one fifth the length of the head. Nostrils tubular, situated about half-way between the tip of the snout and the eyes. Jaws equal, armed with long, strong, pointed teeth. The six in the intermaxillary above are much the largest, and diverge outwards ; back of these on each side are six smaller, conical, sharp-pointed teeth. Four large recurved teeth in the lower jaw; back of these are about half a dozen sharp-pointed teeth of various sizes, irregularly dis- posed; a double row of rounded molars, some of them having a pointed summit. Vomerine teeth perfectly united together, forming a solid mass. Two rows of palatine teeth, the outer much the larger. Two rows of sharp teeth in the pharynx. Tongue large, fleshy, fuliginous. Lips loose, fleshy. The dorsal fin arises in front of the base of the pectorals ; it is slightly higher at its anterior portion, and is continued nearly to the tail, appearing as if almost united to it by the prolongation of the membrane of the fin. The pectoral rays are very large; these fins are rounded when expanded, and slightly scalloped at their margin. The anal fin arises immediately back of the anus, which is very large, and termi- nates on the same plane with the dorsal ; it is about half the height of the dorsal. The depth of the caudal at its base is less than one third the height of its rays. The fin rays are as follows : D. 74. P. 20. A. 46. C. 16. Length, three to five feet. Remarks. Mr. Agassiz considers this a distinct species from the European, basing his opinion upon a difference in the number and disposition of the vomerine tubercles. This ferocious fish, weighing from five to thirty pounds, is captured about rocky ledges at all seasons of the year, although greater numbers are taken in winter than at any other time. The Cusk rocks between Boston and Cape Ann are one of its favorite resorts. It feeds upon crustaceous animals and shell-fish. Its hideous appearance renders it an object of such disgust, that it is not unfrequently thrown away as soon as caught. By many of our fishermen, however, it is considered very delicate, the smaller specimens weighing from five to ten pounds are quite palatable when fried, boiled, or broiled, the skin having been previously removed. It is also occasionally split and salted, or dried, or smoked, and is said to be, when thus prepared, very good. Greenland, FABRICIUS. Maine and Massachusetts, STOKER. New York, MITCHILL, DEKAY. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 267 FAMILY IX. LOPHID^E. Scales usually absent, or replaced by bony plates, or by small grains armed with spines. The two carpal bones elongated, and forming a kind of arm to support the pectoral fin. Branchial aperture round, or a vertical slit behind the pectorals. Sub- orbital bone wanting, except in the genus Malthea. GENUS I. LOPHIUS, AETEDI. Head enormously large, broad, and depressed. Mouth large, armed with slender con- ical teeth on the jaws, palatines, vomer, and pharyngeals. Tongue smooth. Branchial rays, six ; branchial arches, three. Dorsal fins, two ; the anterior rays distant, de- tached, forming long filaments supporting fleshy slips. LOPHIUS AMERICANUS, Cuv. The American Angler. (PLATE XVIII. FIG. 2.) Lophius piscator, Bellows-fish or Common Angler, MITCH., Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 465. Lophius piscatorius, Angler, Frog-fish, Sea-Devil, Goose-fish, Wide Gab, STORER, Report, pp. 71, 404. La Baudoire (FAmtrique, Lophius Americanus, Cuv. et VAL,., XH. p. 380. Lophius Americanus, American Angler, DEKAT, Report, p. 162, pi. 28, fig. 87. " " " " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Scries, n. p. 381. " " " " " Synopsis, p. 129. Color. All the upper part of the body, in the living fish, is of a dark-brown color, caused by minute irregular markings somewhat resembling reticulations, which occa- sionally appear like blotches ; breast of a dirty white color. Cirrhi of a light brown. Pupils black, hides yellowish-brown. Description. Body compressed, orbicular anteriorly, elongated and attenuated pos- teriorly. Its width in front of the pectoral fins is rather less than one half of its length. The length of the head from the tip of the snout to the occiput is equal to about one fourth the length of the entire fish. Numerous fleshy cirrhi are arranged along the lower jaw, edging it to its angles ; beyond these, they are continued to, and upon, and back of, the pectoral fins, to the base of the tail : beneath the jaw these cirrhi are much larger than they are upon the sides of the body ; on the posterior portion of the body they are smallest. The branchial apertures are large, and situated under and back of the pectorals. The vertical gape of the mouth, when expanded, is very large ; the distance across the head, from the outer angles of the jaws, is less than 268 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. one third the length of the fish ; the tip of the lower jaw projects beyond the upper. The intermaxillary bones are capable of being protruded considerably beyond the maxillaries, and are armed with a single row of small, pointed teeth upon each side, and two rows of much larger teeth in their centre, the innermost row being the larger ; one of these is upon the edge, the other within and beneath, very incurved. Upon the upper jaw at its tip is a space of one and a half inches destitute of teeth ; on each side of this space is one quite large tooth, and a second much smaller ; about half an inch outside of these is a single row of eight or ten teeth, the first three or four of which are much the largest. On each side of the pharynx are three rows of sharp incurved teeth resembling spines ; these rows are arranged directly above each other, and are double. The lower jaw has a single row of numerous, very sharp teeth : the tongue has a broad, bony, triangular plate upon each side, armed with two rows of teeth which are recurved. The distance from the margin of the upper jaw to the eye is about equal to the distance between the eyes. Several spines are situated upon the head : two just back of the snout on each side ; a bifurcated one over the middle of the eye, and another similar one at its posterior angle ; and a small one on a line back of these, at the posterior portion of the head. A spine pointing forwards is situated just back of the angle of the jaws, and three straight spines are seen back of this. The eyes are oval. Just back of the snout are two elongated, naked tentaculse, of the fineness of bristles, with the extremities free. As the tentaculse are depressed, directly at their posterior extremities is situated a third, with about half of its extent only naked ; all the tentacular are capable of being elevated at the pleasure of the animal. The first dorsal fin is situated a short distance back of the third tentaculum ; it is composed of three small rays, the posterior of which is the shortest, connected at their bases by a dark-colored membrane. The second dorsal fin is composed of stout, fleshy rays ; it is rounded posteriorly, and is as long again as high. The pectorals are rather higher than long, slightly digitated at their extremities, and ciliated. The ventrals are stout and fleshy ; their anterior ray is bifurcated at its base. The anal fin arises back of the commencement of the second dorsal ; its posterior portion is the higher. The caudal fin is stout, fleshy, and digitated at its extremity. The fin rays are as follows : D. 3 - 11. P. 24 or 25. V. 5. A. 9. C. 8. Length, four feet. HISTORY OP THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 269 Remarks. This fish, which weighs from fifteen to seventy pounds, is not a common species in Massachusetts Bay, although it is taken throughout its whole extent from Lynn to Provincetown during the months of September, October, and November, and is met with in great numbers at its mouth. It is captured with the hook, while fish- ing for other species, and also in nets. Among the fishermen in some parts of the Bay, there is a common saying, " When you take a goose-fish, look out for an easterly storm." It is exceedingly voracious, feeding upon all kinds of fish, and the capacity of its mouth enables it to swallow species as large as itself. Captain Atwood, of Prov- incetown, tells me he has repeatedly seen one swimming towards the shore with an- other of the same species as large as itself in its mouth. And both he and Captain Nathaniel Blanchard, of Lynn, assure me, that, when opened, entire sea-fowl, such as large gulls, are frequently found in their stomachs, which they supposed them to catch in the night, while they are floating upon the surface of the water. I was informed by Captain Leonard West, of Chilmark, that he had known a goose-fish to be taken having in its stomach, six coots in a fresh condition. These he considered to have been swallowed when they had been diving to the bottom in search of food. No use is made of this fish, as its liver contains but little if any oil; and its flesh has no fat. This is a singular fact, as most, if not all, other fish have either fat in their livers or in their flesh. It is seldom that fat is found both in the liver and in other parts of the body of a species. The dog-fish, however, supplies the fishermen with oil from its liver, and its body when dried will burn, to use a fisherman's words, " like fat pine." This is considered a very stupid fish ; thousands run ashore at Provincetown every season, and are thus destroyed. They frequently swim towards the shore in the day-time, and if pushed into the water by a passer-by are as likely to turn again to the shore as from it. Maine, Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. Delaware, DEKAY. GENUS II. CHIRONECTES, Cuv. Head vertically compressed. Three free rays on the summit of the head. Mouth cleft more or less vertically, opening to the gills by a round aperture behind the pectorals. Tongue edentate. Intermaxillaries, lower jaw, vomer, palatines, and pharyngeals with minute, card-like teeth. Dorsal long. 270 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. CHIRONECTES L^EVIGATUS, Cuv. The Smooth Mouse-fish. (PLATE XVIII. FIG. 3.) Chironectes kzvigatus, Ccv., Mem. du Musfeum, HI. p. 423, pi. 16, fig. 1. Le Chironecles uni, Chironectes laivigatus, Ccv. et VAL., xii. p. 399. Chironectes Icevigatus, Smooth Chironectes, STOKEK, Report, p. 73. " " Smooth Mouse-fish, DEKAT, Report, p. 165, pi. 27, fig. 83. " " STOBEE, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 382. " " Synopsis, p. 130. Color. Brownish, with irregularly distributed lighter-colored blotches margined with white. Besides these blotches, numerous yellowish spots are scattered over the entire surface. The markings upon the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins form irregular transverse bauds. Pectorals and ventrals marked with white dots. Description. Body smooth, much compressed laterally, tapering to the tail ; thickest at pectorals. Greatest depth less than half its length. Between and above the eyes is situated a dark-colored flexible ray, terminated by a slight filament. Behind this are ten rays connected by a strong membrane, which is continued posteriorly; one of these rays is quite large and stout; a filament is suspended from its extremity. Minute cuticular processes are observed beneath, and along the edge of, the lower jaw ; one exists at the base of the ray, between the eyes. Eyes small, circular. Jaws armed with numerous minute teeth. Branchial orifice, a small aperture beneath the pectorals. The dorsal fin, which is longer than high, commences on a line above the origin of the pectorals, and is continued to the fleshy portion of the tail. The pectorals are stout, expanded, and digitated at their extremity. The ventrals are situated in front of the pectorals, and are digitated like those fins. The anal fin commences opposite the posterior portion of the dorsal ; it is higher than long, and is rounded. The caudal fin is rounded. The fin rays are as follows : D. 12. P. 10. V. 5. A. 6. C. 9. Length, from two to four inches. Remarks. The only specimens of this species I have known to be taken in this State were sent me several years since from Holmes' s Hole, by the late Dr. Yale of that place. Massachusetts, STORER. New York, DEKAY. South Carolina, CUVIER. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 271 GENUS III. BATRACHUS, SCHNEIDER. Head depressed, broader than body. Ventrals jugular, with three rays; the first elongated. First dorsal small ; second low and long. Base of the pectorals elongated. Branchial aperture small, with six rays. Subopercle as large as the opercle, and both spinous. No suborbital. Teeth on the jaws, front of the vomer and palatines. BATRACHXJS TAU, Lin. The Common Toad-fish. (PLATE XIX. FIG. 1, 2, young and adult fish.) Gadus tau, LIN., Syst. Nat. (twelfth edition), p. 440. " " BLOCH, n. p. 150, pi. 67, fig. 2 and 3. " " Toad Gadus, SHAW, Gen. Zool, IT. p. 159. Lophius bufo, Toad-fish, MITCH., Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soe. of N. Y., i. p. 463. Batrachoides variegatus, var. a. b., LESTTEUR, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc., in. pp. 399, 401. Batrachus variegatus, Toad-fish, STOKER, Report, p. 74. Le Batracholde tau, Batrachus tau, Ccv. et VAL., xn. p. 478. Batrachus tau, Common Toad-fish, DEKAT, Report, p. 168, pi. 28, fig. 86. " " STOEER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 384. " " Synopsis, p. 132. Color. Yellowish, the entire surface of the head, sides, and abdomen marbled with black spots, which are confluent upon the sides, presenting the appearance of irregular bands. All the fins also barred with black. The dorsal bands oblique, those of pectorals and caudal concentric, five or six in number. Description. Shape of fish broad anteriorly, laterally compressed posteriorly; its width gradually diminishing to extremity of caudal fin. Length of head one third that of entire fish; its breadth equal to its length. Greatest depth equal to one fourth its length. Body entirely covered by a copious viscid secretion, which flows from numerous mucous pores distributed over its surface, those on the head being much the largest. Head large, compressed above, rounded anteriorly. Mouth very large. Lower jaw the longer. Jaws covered with strong, conical, and distinct teeth, disposed in several rows in front and in a single row behind in each jaw. Teeth also, but smaller and crowded, on intermaxillaries and vomer ; none on palatine bones. Tongue scarcely perceptible. Lips large and fleshy. Nostrils double. Four small and blunted cirrhi on chin ; on each side of these, along the margin of the lower jaw, a series of five or more larger ones sometimes palmated at tips. Also a very large cirrhus over each eye, preceded by a much smaller one. Eyes moderate, slightly oblique, guarded by a thick, gelatinous membrane. Preoperculum armed with three distinct concealed spines, the middle the smallest. Branchial aperture of same width 272 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. as base of pectoral fin. The lateral line, marked throughout its whole extent by very distinct mucous pores, arises just back of upper spine of operculum, and runs nearly a straight course high up on the back to the tail. The dorsal fin arises just back of the head, and is continued to the tail. Its first three rays are spinous, the central one being much the longest ; these are united to the fleshy rays by a deeply emarginated membrane. Fleshy portion of nearly uniform height. Rays multifid. Terminates abruptly at base of tail, to which it is connected by a membrane. The pectorals, stout and fleshy, arise at the lower edge of the branchial opening; rounded and fan-shaped when expanded. The ventrals, of very irregular shape, originate some distance in front of pectorals ; the first ray, which is stout and falciform, is enveloped in a thick, fleshy membrane. Fin tied down to abdomen posteriorly. The anal fin commences beneath the anterior third of the dorsal, and terminates on a line with the posterior extremity of that fin ; the fleshy margin is strongly digitated. The caudal fin is broad and rounded posteriorly. The fin rays are as follows : D. 3 - 27. P. 16. V. 3. A. 24. C. 14. Remarks. The Toad-fish is an inhabitant of our entire Atlantic coast, extending its residence also even as far as into the Gulf of Mexico, and to some of the West India Islands. It lives generally in shoal water, being seldom taken at any great distance from the shore. The particular situations which it chooses vary with the nature of the coast. Thus along our Southern shores it is found in the shallow bays. The sandy or muddy bottom of these is overgrown with Eel-grass (Zostera marina), under cover of which it lives in security, and finds abundant sources of food. Where the coast, on the contrary, is more or less rocky, we meet with it chiefly under stones. Examining the places where the water is but a few inches in depth at low tide, we see that, under many of the stones and smaller rocks, the sand on one side has been removed, leaving a shallow cavity, perhaps a foot in width, and extending back beneath the stone. If we approach this cautiously, we shall probably distinguish the head of a Toad-fish, very much in the position of that of a dog as he lies looking out of his kennel. The fish is at rest, and might be overlooked by a careless observer. A closer attention, however, readily distinguishes the curve of its broad mouth, the delicate laciniated processes with which its jaws and other parts of its head are orna- mented, its truly beautiful eyes, and sometimes the anterior portion of its body. At the slightest alarm, it retreats beneath the stone, but presently reappears. It is lying here, perhaps merely as in a safe resting-place, perhaps on the watch for its prey. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 273 But during the months of June, July, and August, \ve shall in many instances be able to discover another purpose, it is apparently guarding its eggs or young. "We shall then find, on the inferior surface of the stone, the young Toad-fish adhering, to the number of several hundreds. They will be in different stages of development, according to the season of our examination. We may see the eggs, not larger than very small shot ; a little later they are increased in size, and the young fish plainly visible through their walls ; a little later still, the young have made their escape, but are still attached to the stone. The attachment now, however, is accomplished in a different manner. The yolk, not being yet absorbed, occupies a rounded sac protruding by a narrow orifice from the abdomen, and the part of this sac near its outer border, being constricted, leaves external to it a disc, by means of which, acting as a sucker, the young fish adheres so firmly as to occasion difficulty in detaching it. They remain thus until they have attained the length of half or three quarters of an inch, or until the yolk-sac is entirely absorbed. During this period an adult fish occupies the cavity beneath the stone, and if driven from it speedily returns. That this is, in all cases, the mother of the young ones, and that she is there for the purpose of guarding them, we have no means of determining : we can only infer it. Although the assertion, that fish have no affection for their young, has long been considered universally true, yet exceptions to it are now well known to exist. Our common Cat-fish, or Horned Pout, furnishes an example, and the habit of the Batrachus here described appears to give another illustration bearing on the same point. During the winter months, in our colder latitudes, the Toad-fish in some instances, perhaps, retire into deep water ; it is true, however, that many of them become nearly torpid. They are found buried beneath the mud, in the same manner as the Eels, and are sometimes taken with the spear thrust down in search of their more valued neighbors. One which was caught in this way was nearly as vigorous and capable of motion after twenty-four hours of removal from the water, as when first taken. The Toad-fish is not commonly employed as an article of food. Its slippery, slimy surface, and its generally repulsive aspect, cause it to be looked on rather with disgust. That its flesh, however, is delicate and good, can scarcely be questioned, though the small size which it attains, eight inches to a foot in length, and the fact that it is never taken in any large quantities, prevent it from being of much economical value. The specific name tau, given to this species by Linnaeus, is derived from a character not discernible until the fish is dead and his integuments have become dry. The bones on the upper surface of the skull are then seen to present a transverse ridge met by another in a longitudinal direction, thus resembling the Greek letter T (tau). VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 38 274 HISTORY or THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. For the beautiful living specimen, from which my description and drawing have been made, I am indebted to John Manchester Smith, M. D., of Tisbury ; and the notes upon the habits of this species were furnished me by my excellent friend, William O. Ayres, M. D., a very accurate observer, of East Hartford, Connecticut, now estab- lished in San Francisco, California. Maine, Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. Gulf of Mexico, CUVIER. FAMILY X. LABRID^E. Body oblong and scaly; a single dorsal is supported in front by spines, each of which is generally furnished with a membranous appendage ; the jaws are covered with fleshy lips ; there are three pharyngeals, two upper ones attached to the cranium, and a large lower one, all three armed with teeth, sometimes en pave, sometimes in points or laminae, but generally stronger than usual ; an intestinal canal without cceca, or with two very small ones, and a strong natatory bladder. GENUS I. CTENOLABRUS, VAL. Body elongated. Preopercle denticulated. A band of velvet-like teeth in front; behind, the conical teeth, in the jaws. Three spinous rays to the anal fin. CTENOLABRUS CERULEUS, Dekay. The Common Conner. (PLATE XX. FIG. 1.) Tautoga cerulea, Blue-fish or Bergatt, MITCHILL, Report in part, p. 24. Labrus chogset, Bergall of New York, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 402, pi. 3, fig. Crenilabrus burgall, SCHOEPPP, Griffith's Cuv., x. p. 258. " " Conner, Blue Perch, Chogset, STOKER, Report, p. 78. " " AYRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 263. Le Ctenolabre chogset, Ctenolabrus chogset, Cuv. et VAL., xm. p. 237. Ctenolabrus ceruleus, The Common Burgal, DEKAY, Report, p. 172, pi. 29, fig. 93. Ctenolabre mouchi, Ctenolabrus uninotatus, Ccv. et VAL., xm. p. 239. " " " DEKAY, Report, D. 174, pi. 29, fig. 90. Ctenolabrus ceruleus, STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 386. " " " Synopsis, p. 134. Color. This species varies exceedingly in its coloring : some specimens being of a deep-blue color; others, of a uniform brown or rust color; while the ground of others is greenish, with copperish spots ; or red, with black points or dots sprinkled over HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 275 their entire surface, including oftentimes the fins. Irregular bluish lines, appearing like hieroglyphics, are distributed over the head ; these are more strongly marked between and in front of the eyes than on the neck. The pupils are black, the irides a beautiful silver. Description. Form elongated. Its height measured across to the anus, including the dorsal fin, is not quite equal to one third of its length ; its thickness is about equal to half of its height, not measuring the dorsal fin. The length of the head to the length of the entire fish is as one to four : it is slightly flattened upon its top, and on the back of the neck, in front of the dorsal fin, is a perceptible convexity. The portion of the head between the eyes, and in front of them to the angle of the jaws, is destitute of scales, as well as the lower portion of the opercula. The scales upon the operculum are larger than those upon the preoperculum. The preoperculum is finely denticulated upon its posterior edge, throughout its whole length : the posterior edge of the operculum is bordered by a fleshy membrane. The jaws are equal, and are armed with numerous teeth ; the six front teeth in either jaw larger than the others ; the front teeth in the upper jaw larger than the corresponding ones in the lower. The upper jaw is very projectile. The lips are large and fleshy. The eyes are circular; the diameter of the eye is equal to one fifth the length of the head. The lateral line arises just back of the superior angle of the operculum, and curves with the body until about opposite the termination of the dorsal fin, whence it pursues a straight course to the tail. The dorsal fin arises on a line with the posterior angle of the operculum, and terminates within about an inch of the tail. It has eighteen strong spinous rays, the extremities of which are naked ; the upper portion of their connecting membrane is free, presenting the appearances of sinall filaments or tentacles ; the eleven posterior rays are membranous. The spinous rays gradually increase in height from the first to the membranous rays, which are still more elevated. The first spinous ray is very short, being only one seventh the height of the last spinous ray. The membranous portion of this fin is rounded when expanded. The pectorals arise on a line with the dorsal; their height is to their length as three to one. The ventrals are just back of the pectorals ; the first ray is a strong spine. The length of these fins is to their height as one to three. The anal fin has three spinous rays ; from the extremities of these spines, as well as from that of the ventral fins, filaments are suspended as in the dorsal fin. 276 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The caudal fin is nearly even at its posterior extremity; its rays are longer than high. The fin rays are as follows : D. 18 - 11. P. 15. V. 6. A. 12. C. 16. 'Length, from six to fourteen inches. Remarks. This very common species is taken from the middle of June until late in October, and is brought to market in immense quantities. Being considered an excellent fish for the table when fried, it meets with a ready sale. It is caught with the hook along our entire coast, from the rocks and bridges and boats ; and is taken along the shores of the islands in great numbers in nets. It is kept alive for the market in large cars, which are located in the neighborhood ; these cars, which are about three feet deep and twelve or fifteen feet in length, are closed beneath, and latticed at their sides ; being anchored in deep water, the tide is constantly flowing through them and changing the water. Sometimes as many as five thousand fish will be contained in a single car ; this car will be daily called upon for the supply needed in the market, and is replenished each week or fortnight, as may be required. Newfoundland, CUVIER. Maine, Massachusetts, STORER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. GENUS II. TAUTOGA, MITCH. Jaws with a double row of teeth. Opercle and preopercle without spines or denticulations, and with few or no scales. TAUTOGA AMERICANA, Dekay. The Tautog. (PLATE XX. FIG. 2.) Labrus Americanus, BLOCH, SCHN., p. 261. Tautoga niger, MITCHILL, Report in part, p. 23. Labrus tautoga, Black-fish or Tautog, MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 399. Labrus Americanus, Black-fish or Tautog, STOKER, Report, p. 76. " AYRES, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 263. Le Tautogue noir (Tautoga nigra, MITCH.), CUT. et VAL., xm. p. 293. Tautoga Americana, New York Tautog, DEKA.Y, Report, p. 175, pi. 14, fig. 39. " ' STOBEB, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 389. " " " Synopsis, p. 137. Color. This species varies considerably in its markings. Generally, however, it is of a bluish-black above, diversified with bands and blotches, mottled with darker spots towards the abdomen, which is whitish. Pupils black, irides silvery. Description. The body is regularly arched from the tip of the snout to the HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 277 extremity of the dorsal fin ; its height across the base of the ventrals, not including the dorsal fin, is about equal to the length of the head. The length of the head, to the posterior angle of the operculum, is equal to about one fourth the length of the body, including the tail. The head is naked, with the exception of a patch of small scales upon the upper part of the operculum, and a vertical band of similar scales upon the preoperculum, just back of the eyes. The lips are large and fleshy; the jaws have two rows of conical teeth: those of the first row are strong, the front teeth being the largest ; those of the second row scarcely project above the flesh of the jaws. Teeth in the pharynx. The eyes are circular, the diameter equal to half the distance between them. The nostrils, which are small and double, are situated in front of and above the anterior angle of the eyes. The lateral line arises just above the operculum, and curves with the body. The dorsal fin rises just back of the pectorals ; the first seventeen rays terminate in naked spines, at the base of which are small floating tentaculse ; the posterior, fleshy rays of this fin are nearly as high again as the spinous rays, and this portion of the fin is of a rounded form. This fin extends to within a short distance of the tail. The base of the rays is scaled. The pectorals commence just in front of the posterior angle of the operculum ; they are rounded at their extremities. Their length to their height is as one to three. The ventrals are situated a short distance back of the pectorals ; their length is equal to about one fourth of their height. The outer ray is spinous, and is about half as high as the middle ray. The anal fin arises opposite the last spinous ray of the dorsal fin, and terminates on the same plane with that fin ; the first three rays are spinous ; the fleshy portion is of the same form as the corresponding portion of the dorsal fin ; this fin is longer than high. The caudal fin is even at its extremity ; its rays are covered with scales for about one half of their height. The fin rays are as follows: D. 28. P. 15. V. 6. A. 11. C. 15. Length, six to eighteen inches. Remarks. Although a few years only have passed since this species was brought into Massachusetts Bay, it is now taken along a large portion of the coast. At Plymouth, Nahant, and Lynn, at some seasons, it is found in considerable numbers, and is frequently caught from the bridges leading from Boston. A specimen was taken from one of these bridges a year or two since which weighed eleven pounds and three 278 HISTORY or THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. quarters. The Boston market is for the most part supplied by Plymouth and Wellfleet. At the former place they are taken at Monument Point. I am told that two or three families reside at Billingsgate Point, Wellfleet, who pursue no other avocation than that of taking Tautog, and are thus enabled to support themselves. Many of the fish are carried to New York from Wellfleet. The Tautog fishery continues from April to November, and the fish is taken by the hook alone. Besides the large number of Tautog sold in the recent state, they are also pickled, and may be kept in a weak brine for a long time. In this state they are considered by epicures a great delicacy. When fresh, this species sells in the market for from eight to twelve cents per pound. Its ordinary size is from one to two pounds, although they often exceed that weight. Mr. Henry Blood, of New Bedford, informed me that a specimen of this fish was taken in Eochester harbor which weighed fourteen pounds and three ounces. The largest individual of which I have any accu- rate knowledge weighed sixteen pounds. Dekay states that he had " heard of one which weighed twenty pounds, but the largest he had seen did not exceed twelve pounds." Maine, Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York, MITCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. South Carolina, DEKAY. OKDER II. MALACOPTERYGII. SOFT-RAYED. All the fin rays soft and cartilaginous, with the exception sometimes of the first in the dorsal and the first in the pectoral fins. These rays are of an articulated structure, and generally more or less branched at their extremities. ABDOMINALES. The ventrals behind the pectorals, and not attached to the humeral bone. FAMILY XL SILURHLE. Skin naked, and covered with a mucous secretion. In some genera the body is nearly covered by osseous plates. Head depressed, and generally enlarged, with several fleshy filaments. A second adipose dorsal often present. The intermaxillaries, HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 279 suspended under the ethmoid bone, form the edge of the upper jaw. First ray of the dorsal and pectoral fins usually a strong, articulated spine, with a complicated movement. GENUS I. PIMELODUS, Ccv. Palate smooth and without teeth. Barbels varying from six to eight. Casque occasionally present. PIMELODUS ATRARIUS, Dekay. The Horned Pout. (PLATE XX. FIG. 3.) Pimelodus nebuksus, STOKER, Report, p. 102. Pimelodus catus, STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 402. " " " Synopsis, p. 150. Pimelodus atrarius, DEKAY, Report, p. 185, pi. 36, fig. 116. " " STOKER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 404. " " " Synopsis, p. 152. Color. The living fish is of a fuliginous color, darker upon the head and back, approaching to black ; lighter upon the sides, which are tinged with a cupreous shade ; white beneath in front of the ventrals; yellowish beneath the lower jaw and the under portion of the branchiae. Irides silvery. Pupils blue. All the fins are dark-colored, In the dead specimen the coloring matter readily rubs off; and the individual, even if untouched, rapidly becomes of a lighter color. Description. Body elongated, compressed posteriorly; head flattened above; a convexity anterior to the dorsal fin. Length of the head to the posterior angle of the opercular spine, to the entire length of the fish, about as one to four. Greatest width of head equal to about one sixth the length of the fish ; greatest depth of the fish greater than the width of the head. Upper jaw the longer, both jaws furnished with numerous small teeth ; eight cirrhi about the head ; that at the angle of the upper jaw, on each side, much the longest. Two others are situated back of, and above these, on each side; beneath the lower jaw are also four cirrhi, two on each side of its middle, the outer the longer ; all the cirrhi of the same color. The eyes are circular and very small ; distance between the eyes equal to about one half the length of the head. Two blunted spines or processes on the humeral bones, the upper much the smaller. The lateral line arises above the posterior angle of the operculum, and runs a very slightly curved course to the tail. 280 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The dorsal fin is situated on the anterior third of the fish ; its length is equal to half its height. Its first ray is spinous, and shorter than the central rays. A small adipose fin is situated within a short distance of the tail. The pectorals arise on a line a short distance in front of the posterior angle of the operculum ; their length is equal to about one third their height ; their outer ray is spinous and serrated upon its outer edge ; it is naked at its point, and shorter than the first fleshy rays. When taken, great caution is necessary in removing this species from the hook, it having the power to erect this spine to defend itself. The ventrals arise on a line just back of the dorsal fin ; the length of these fins is equal to about one third their height. Anus large, oblong, beneath the posterior half of the ventrals. The height of the anal fin is equal to about half its length. The caudal fin is concave ; the upper lobe slightly the longer. The fin rays are as follows : D. 1 - 6. P. 1 - 8. V. 8. A. 20. C. 19. Length, seven to nine inches. Remarks. This is quite a common species in the ponds throughout the State, and is familiarly known as the Horned Pout and Minister. Specimens are occasionally taken weighing three quarters of a pound. By many, it is highly esteemed as an article of food, and preferred to any other fresh-water fish save the Pickerel. It is generally fried, the skin having been previously removed. Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, STOKER. Connecticut, AYRES. New York MlTCHILL, CUVIER, DEKAY. FAMILY XII. CYPRINID^E. Mouth moderately or but slightly cleft, terminal, subterminal, or inferior ; upper margin formed by the intermaxillaries. Jaws rather weak and without any teeth. A pharyngeal arch of curved and sometimes hooked teeth, disposed upon one or a double row. Branchial rays not very numerous. Top and sides of head generally smooth, and always without any scales. Body scaly. No great disparity in the fins between the sexes. Stomach without cul-de-sac ; no ccecal appendages to the pylorus. Least carnivorous of all fishes. GENUS I. CYPRINUS, LIN. Body covered with large scales ; a single elongated dorsal fin ; lips fleshy ; mouth small; teeth in the pharynx, but none on the jaws; branchial rays, three. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 281 CYPRINUS AURATUS, LIN. The Golden Carp. (PLATE XXI. FIG. 1.) Cyprinus auralus, LIN., Syst. Nat. BLOCH, in. pi. 93, 94. Gold Carp, PENNANT, Brit. Zool., in. p. 490. Golden Carp, JENTNS, Brit. Vert., p. 403. Gold Carp, YABRELL, Brit. Fishes (2d edit.), I. p. 361. Golden Carp, Gold-fall, GRIFFITH'S Cuv., x. p. 377. " " STOKER, Report, p. 82. " " DEKAY, Report, p. 190. Le Carpe dorte, Cyprinus auratus, Cuv. et VAL., xvi. p. 101. " " STOBER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, n. p. 407. " " " Synopsis, p. 155. Carrassius auratus, HECK., iu Buss. Reise, n. p. 1014. Color. All the upper part of the body a bright orange ; sides lighter ; beneath, silvery. Fins color of the back. Occasionally the larger species are dark-colored above, and the fins are margined with black. Description. Body convex in front of dorsal fin. Its greatest depth is equal to rather less than one fourth its length. Scales large, striated. The lateral line pursues nearly a straight course to the tail. The head is flattened between the eyes ; its length is equal to the greatest depth of the fish. Eyes prominent ; their diameter is equal to one half the distance between them. Mouth small, very projectile. Nostrils large. The dorsal fin commences on the anterior half of the body, and is as long again as high. The first two rays are spinous ; the first is very short and slightly roughened behind ; the second is much longer, and is strongly serrated posteriorly. The first two membranous rays are higher than the others, which gradually diminish in height to its posterior extremity. The pectorals arise just back of the opercula, and extend beyond the origin of the ventrals. The ventrals commence on a line beneath the origin of the dorsal fin, and are of the same length as the pectorals. The anal fin is higher than long ; its first two rays are spinous, serrated behind like those of the dorsal. The caudal fin is deeply lunated. The fin rays are as follows : D. 15. P. 15. V. 9. A. 7. C. 18. Length, six to ten inches. Remarks. This beautiful species, which is a native of China, was introduced many VOL. V. NEW SERIES. 39 282 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. years since into this country, and is now extensively known among us. It thrives in quite a number of ponds in the neighborhood of Boston, connected with country- seats, bearing well the rigors of our winters, and breeding freely. This species varies exceedingly in its appearance in different individuals. Yarrell, in his " History of British Fishes," observes : " M. de Sauvigny, in his Histoire Naturelle des Dorades de la Chine, published at Paris in 1780, has given colored representations of eighty-nine varieties of the Carp, exhibiting almost every possible shade or combination of silver, brilliant orange, and purple." It is a very common circumstance to observe an abnormal condition of one or more of the fins in this fish. Yarrell says : " These fishes are sometimes seen with double anal fins, and others with triple tails; when this occurs, it is generally at the expense of the whole or part of some other fin : thus the specimens with triple tails are frequently without any portion of the dorsal fin, and such specimens have been figured by Bloch and others. Among two dozen Gold-fish for sale in London, were some with dorsal fins extending more than half the length of the back ; some, on the contrary, had dorsal fins of five or six rays only, and one specimen without any dorsal fin whatever." Massachusetts, STOKER. New York, DEKAY. GENUS II. LEUCOSOMUS, HECK. Body very much compressed, flattened laterally, and deepest at the middle of its length. Head proportionally small, and compressed like the body. Mouth small, terminal, unprovided with cirrhi or barbels of any kind. Eyes very large. Caudal fin forked. Body covered with large scales appearing higher than long when observed imbricated, but which are in fact as long as high and even longer than high when examined in an isolated state. Lateral line forming a very open curve upon the abdomen, convex downwards. Dorsal and anal fins without strong and spiny rays at their anterior margins. Insertion of ventrals in advance of the anterior margin of the dorsal. Pharyngeal teeth conical, pointed, and slightly curved at tip, and disposed upon a double row. This genus is allied to Hypsolepis, from which it differs by its flattened body, small head and mouth, the shape of its scales, and the insertion of the ventral fins. HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 283 LEUCOSOMUS AMERICANUS, Girard. The Shiner. (PLATE XXI. FIG. 2.) Cyprinus Americanus, LACEP., v. pi. 15, fig. 3. " " American Carp, SHAW, Gen. Z