88 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Sub-class Teleostei. Cottoid^. 



velvet type on the jaws. Palate smooth, or velvet teeth on front 

 of vomer and palatines. 



Fins. Two dorsals sometimes continuous, sometimes separated. 

 Anterior one always composed of spiny rays. Anal fin is opposite 

 second dorsal. Ventrals under the pectorals, posteriorly to base 

 of the latter with small number of rays. Pectorals very large, 

 broad and expanded ; their inferior rays undivided, (though artic- 

 ulated,) and projecting beyond the interradial membrane which is 

 emarginated. 



Genus Acanthocottus, Girard. 



Gen. Chae. Spines upon each of the opercular bones. Surface of head, and 

 often the circumference of the orbits either serrated, or notched, or armed with spines. 

 Mouth more deeply cleft than those of the Cottus genus. Lateral line uninterrupted. 



Acanthocottus octodecim spinosiis, Gill. 

 Sculpin, Pig Fish, Bullhead, Sea Toad, Sea Robin. 



This is a handsome oddity, and a plague to fishermen who are 

 fishing for better fish, bnt often have to haul it up, to their no 

 small vexation when they see its head and horns emerging from the 

 water. It is rightly named " sculpin " for its sculHs full of spines 

 and thorns as sharp as pins, and as strong as so many ten-penny 

 nails, projecting point foremost in every direction. If irritated 

 when first taken from the water it shows fight — swelling out its 

 gill membranes, pushing out the horns, and erecting the spines of 

 its dorsal like the bristles on the back of a wild boar. It is said to 

 be eaten by some, but little or no use is made of it among our fish- 

 ermen. 



Characteristics. Spine of the pre-opercle reaching the point of 

 the opercle. Pectorals very broad and rounded. — DeKay. 



Specific Description. The common sculpin has a large, broad 

 head with channels or furrows on the top, apparently made by a 

 continiiation of the spinous ridges. Storer says there are twenty 

 spines upon and about the head. These arc strong and generally 

 curved backwards. Each nostril is armed with one of these. Each 

 eye has one, and on the nape of the neck is one on each side of it. 

 The pre-operculum is also armed with them. The one on the pos- 

 terior angle is a formidable one, very stout and sharp, partly curved 

 at its base, but may be laid bare its whole length. Just below this 



