FISHES OF NEW YORK 647 



De Kay saw it very rarely. In Grravesend bay, specimens have 

 been taken by Jolin De Nyse in April, May, October, November 

 and December. 



We are indebted to Captain Lewis B. Thurber, of Patchogue, 

 for specimens, which were taken in the fall of 1884. These were 

 all the more remarkable for having attached to the head and 

 back a peculiar hydroid. 



In the vicinity of Woods Hole Mass. the fish is common in Octo- 

 ber and November, the individuals usually measuring about 16 

 inches; the young are rare. It grows to a length of 2 feet and 

 is one of the most brightly colored of the marine fishes. Its 

 colors are subject to great variation. The head is furnished with 

 numerous fringes and the dorsal spines are often produced into 

 filaments. The mouth is large, the skin rough and the belly very 

 distensible at the will of the fish, making this species one of the 

 curiosities of the sea. It feeds upon mollusks and all other inver- 

 tebrates of suitable size. 



The sea raven is not eaten, though its flesh is of excellent 

 flavor. It is useful as a scavenger and as bait for the eel and 

 lobster. 



The sea raven spawns in November. Eggs observed Nov. 29, 

 1897, were in masses adhering tightly together. The egg at that 

 date was A" inch in diameter, and showed the form of the fish 

 distinctly. Its color when first deposited is yellow but soon 

 changes to salmon and then to amber before hatching. 



Family agonida^e 



Group AGONINAE 

 Genus aspidophoroidss Lac^pMe 

 Body and head more or less slender; head 4 to 6, width 5 to 8 

 in length of body; eight longitudinal rows of plates, the lateral 

 line in the upper lateral row; about 40 plates in the dorsal 

 series. Terminal rostral plate present, unarmed; mouth ter- 

 minal; teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines. Supraocular and 

 occipital spines absent; plates of body more or less keeled, with- 

 out spines. First dorsal absent; second dorsal and anal small, 

 opposite each other, each with four to seven rays. Gill mem- 



