316 



BULLETIN OF THE BTJBEATJ OF FISHEBIES 



slopes of Georges Bank (40° 03' N. 68° 07' W.), as well as at various localities thence 

 northward and eastward to the Grand Banks in 40 fathoms and deeper. When the 

 bottom of the Gulf is more systematically explored this Arctic sculpin will probably 

 be found very generally distributed there at 50 to 75 fathoms on sandy or stony 

 bottom, but we doubt if it haunts the soft sticky mud that floors the greater part of 

 the deep basin. Presumably it is resident in small numbers, sculpins not being 

 migratory, but nothing whatever is known of its life or breeding habits. 



119. Mailed sculpin {Triglops omraatistius Gilbert) 



Jordan and Evermann, 1896-1900 (Triglops pingelli), p. 1923. 

 Gilbert, Proceedings, U. S. National Museum, Vol. 44, 1913, p. 465. 



Description. — The most diagnostic feature of this sculpin, apart from its very 

 long anal fin (p. 314), is the presence of a row of about 45 broad plate-like scales 

 along its lateral line, with smaller spiny scales below the dorsal fins, while the skin 

 of the lower sides is gathered in obliquely transverse folds. The body, too, is more 

 tapering than in our other sculpins, while the caudal peduncle is more slender and 

 the tail is smaller. Furthermore, the head is smaller and smoother than in any 



Fig. 150. — Mailed sculpin ( Triglops ommatistius) 



of the sculpins common to the Gulf of Maine, with short spines and many prickles. 

 The first dorsal fin (11 spines) originates over the base of the pectoral and is higher 

 but only about half as long as the second dorsal (21 to 22 rays). The anal fin is 

 similar to the latter in form and stands below it, but is slightly shorter (20 to 21 

 rays). The ventrals (3 rays as is the rule among sculpins) reach about as far back 

 as the end of the first dorsal, while the pectorals (17 rays) are of the usual fanlike 

 outline. In the males there is a very large and noticeable anal papUla, which is 

 lacking in females. 



Color. — Described as olivaceous above, the back with four dark crossbars 

 running down the sides to the lateral line, and with a series of blackish blotches 

 below the latter. In males there is a large roundish black spot margined with 

 sflvery white on the margin of the first dorsal fin behind its middle, and the second 

 dorsal is marked with wide oblique or nearly horizontal bars. Females lack the 

 eye spot on the first dorsal, and with them the barring of the second dorsal is in the 

 form of narrow lines of dots. There are no markings on the other fins. The breast 

 and belly are silvery white. 



