52 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



spinous ; the fourth ray longest. Pectorals very broad, rounded, and composed of seventeen 

 rays. Ventrals long and feeble. Anal fin nearly even, and almost as long as the second 

 dorsal. Caudal fin long, even, undivided. 



Color. This is subject to great variation in different individuals, but the following is the 

 most usual appearance : Body marbled with black and green above, sometimes with deep 

 olive ; beneath whitish, occasionally bronzed, or with a tinge of yellow. Eyes yellow and 

 brownish. Dorsal fins with brown spots disposed in oblique bars, which are most apparent 

 on the membrane of the second dorsal. The first dorsal dark brown, with black spots, and 

 varied with white ; the posterior part of the membrane of this fin constantly light-colored, 

 tinged with greenish. Pectoral fins yellow, or rather buff-colored, with brownish concentric 

 bands. Ventrals white, tipped with yellow. Anal fin frequently barred like the second dorsal. 

 Caudal fin dull yellowish, with broad parallel brownish bars ; yellow on its outer margin. 



Length, 12*0- 18-0. 



Radial formula, D. 8.16; P. 16 ; V. 3 ; C. 11. 



This species, which, on account of its uncouth form, is regarded with aversion by fisher- 

 men, is nevertheless not a bad article of food. In fact, when freshly taken from the water, 

 and irritated, they do present rather a formidable appearance. The head is swollen to twice 

 its usual size by the distension of the branchial membrane ; the spines stand out prominently, 

 and the rays of all the fins become erect. It is known under the various popular names of 

 Sculpin, quere Scorpion ? Sea Robin, Bull-head, Sea Toad, and Pig Fish ; the latter from 

 its croaking noise when drawn from the water. It ranges from Virginia to Newfoundland, 

 and perhaps still farther north. 



THE BRAZEN BULL-HEAD. 



COTTUS /ENEUS. 



PLATE VI. FIG. 19. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



The Brazen Butt-head, Cotlus ameus. Mitchill, Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y. Vol. 1, p. 380 

 Le Chaboisseau bronze, C. id. Cov. et Val. Hist. Poiss. Vol. 4, p. 189. 

 The Brazen Bull-head, C. id. Stoeer, Fishes of Massachusetts, p. 20. 



Characteristics. Lateral line rough, with asperities beneath it. Dorsals nearly equal in height- 

 Length 5-6 inches. 



Description. Head broad, flat, and deeply channelled between the orbits, which are large 

 and prominent. The spines about the head nearly similar in number and situation with those 

 of the preceding species, but not so obvious or distinctly pronounced. One or two small 

 spines at the commencement of the lateral line, which is very distinct, straight, and rough 

 to the touch. The dorsal fins united, but the connection not always very obvious ; the first 

 ray of the second dorsal much shorter than the succeeding : this fin reaches nearly to the 

 caudal. Lower jaw much shorter than the upper. On the gill-cover, a trifid spine : one 



