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PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



The collection contains 12 specimens, 25 to 87 mm. long. 



Atlantic coast of Panama, West Indies, and Florida. S. F. H. 



Antennarius scaber (Cuvier) 



Two specimens, 100 and 105 mm. long, were taken in 9 to 11 fathoms west of 

 White Shoal. One was a female with ovaries rather well developed on June 27. 

 These were in the form of a strip about 15 mm. wide, closely rolled toward the 

 center from opposite ends. The margins of the ovarian envelope in either end of 

 the roll were closely bound with connective tissue to one another, turn upon 

 turn. When it was freed and extended, a raft 80 mm. in length, without allow- 

 ance for additional growth or imbibition of water, resulted. 



Ground color vinaceous bufT, slightly and irregularly frosted with white; a 

 drab pattern on this ground includes spots and dashes on top of head and two 

 radiating systems of lines — a major system centering about eye, a minor one 

 about 3d dorsal spine — together covering body to pectorals; irregular broken 

 bars on trunk and dorsal fin; rounded nonocellated spots in several transverse 

 series on the other fins and remainder of body; iris with radiating striae; upper 

 surface of tongue from base to tip mottled with drab on a white ground in 

 distinct pattern. 



These fish were highly inconspicuous in a vessel of water containing the red 

 alga Gracillaria compressa. Their blending with their surroundings was effected 

 partly by appropriate color and countershading, partly by their abundant cirri, 

 which cluster on the 2d and 3d dorsal spines and are close-set along margin of 

 dorsal fin. On the sides some are nearly half as long as the head. Toward the 

 ventral side they are more filamentous and more freely branched, but with the 

 lateral branches short, and they are absent only on the belly. In general appear- 

 ance the cirri much resemble small branching algae and hydroids. 



The base of the "fishing rod" is advanced beyond the margin of upper jaw. 

 The rod is considerably longer than the 2d spine, and the "bait" is bifid, fleshy, 

 a third as long as the rod, and singularly wormlike. When not in use it is coiled 

 up and pressed in a hollow behind 2d spine. 



Schmitt first called my attention to the ability this fish has of inflating itself 

 like the puffers. Out of water it swells to relatively enormous size by filling its 

 stomach with air. W. H. L. 



The 2 specimens described are at hand, and now have a length of 96 and 97 

 mm. (standard length 71 and 75 mm.). The following proportions and enumera- 

 tions are based on these 2 specimens. Head, measured to gill opening, 1.65, 1.65; 

 width of head 3.1, 2.8; depth at eyes 2.8, 3.0. Eye in head about 12.5, 15; snout 

 7.2, 6.9; interorbital (bone) 6.0, 6.2; maxillary 2.8, 3.0; caudal peduncle 4.5, 4.3; 

 pectoral 2.25, 2.4. D. III-12, III-12; A. 7, 7; P. 10, 10; C. 9, 9. 



The ground color of the preserved specimens is gray, and the system of lines 

 described by Dr. Longley remains very distinct, now brownish with darker 

 margins. 



Atlantic coast of Panama, West Indies, and Florida. S. F. H. 



