74 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



the second is soft and long, as well as that of the amis, which 

 corresponds to it. The lips are frequently furnished with 

 filaments. Those which have been dissected, present a stomach 

 resembling an oblong sac, and short intestines, but there is no> 

 coecum. The fore part of the natatory bladder is deeply bi- 

 furcated. They keep themselves hidden in the sand, to sur- 

 prise their prey, like the Lophius, &fc. ; the wounds inflicted 

 by the spines are reported dangerous. 



B. variegatus. Le Sueur. The Toad Fish. 

 Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, Phil. vol. ill. p. 308. 



To Dr. Yale. I am indebted for two fine specimens of this 

 species, from Holmes Hole. He informs me, they are gene- 

 rally found in ponds and lagoons connected with the sea in 

 muddy water : in winter, they are captured through the ice 

 in spearing eels ; and are not used for food. Each of these 

 specimens was eleven inches in length. Color yellowish ; 

 entire surface of the head, sides and abdomen marbled with 

 black ; the head so closely dotted as to appear almost black ; sides 

 irregularly undulated ; abdomen less closely marked. All the 

 fins banded with black lines. Whole of the body enveloped with 

 a copious viscid secretion, which flows from numerous mucous 

 pores every where distributed : beneath each eye, are eight very 

 distinct glands : they are also observed upon the opercula. Head 

 very much compressed : its length and breadth equal. Body 

 much narrower than the head ; gradually tapering from the base 

 of the pectorals to a short distance back of the anus, beyond which 

 it becomes very much compressed. Operculum armed with 

 three distinct spines, the upper most prominent : cheeks protu- 

 berant. Diameter of the eye three lines ; pupils black ; hides 

 golden : over the middle of each eye is situated a large fleshy 

 appendage which hangs down over the eye, and, just before 

 this, a very small appendage. Mouth very large ; lips fleshy : 

 on the chin four small fleshy appendages ; directly beneath these, 

 two smaller ones ; on a line with these latter, three larger 

 appendages on each side, with a still larger one at the angle 



