264 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxvii. 



of dorsal with a large black spot. All of these markings, but espe- 

 cially the crossbars, more conspicuous in the young. 



The following color note was taken from a fresh specimen: A ver- 

 tical bar of deep scarlet with yellow dashes on the skin under preopcrcle 

 partly covered b}^ that bone, this bar extending on upper branchioste- 

 gal rays. Fins and body light and dark olive. 



Numerous specimens of this species taken in the Chikugo River at 

 Kurume, the largest 125 mm. in entire length. It is said to be abun- 

 dant in mountain streams of Kiusiu in compaii}^ with BryttoHus 

 Ji'awani.ehari. The long description of Ceiitridernilchtys (msatus by 

 Richardson, from the Yangtze seems to agree closely with our speci- 

 mens. Its bright scarlet head markings ai'e very conspicuous in life. 

 Ti'achidennus fasciatus Hechel, from the Philippines, seems to be 

 closely related, but is probably not the same fish. 



The specimen here figured has a smaller number of anal rays than 

 usual. 



{ansatus, jug-handled, from the curved, preopercular spine.) 



15. COTTUS (Artedi) Linnaeus. 



Cottuti Artedi, Genera Piscium, 1738, p. 49. 



Cottus LiNNyEus, Syst. Nat., X, 1758, p. 264 {gobio). 



Pegedictis R\FiyiESQ.\jE, Ichth. Ohiensis, 1820, p. 85 {ictalops). 



CottajmH GiRARD, Proc.'Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Ill, 1850, p. 303 (asper). 



Pofamocottus GiLh, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., VIII, 1861, p. 40 (panctulatiis). 



Tauridea Jordan and Rice, Man Vert. E. U. S., 2d Ed., 1875, p. 255 {ricei). 



Fresh water sculpins. Body fusiform. Head feebly armed; skin 

 smooth or more or less velvety, its prickles, if present, not bony or 

 scale-like; Anlliform teeth on jaws and vomer, and sometimes on pala- 

 tines. Gill openings separated by a wide isthmus, over which the 

 membranes do not form a fold; no slit behind fourth gill. Branchi- 

 ostegals 6; suborbital stay fiat, without a ridge, no ridges on opercle. 

 Dorsals nearly or quite separate, the first of 6 to 9 slender spines; ven- 

 trals moderate, each with a short concealed spine and 1 soft rays; pec- 

 toral rays usually all simple, lower ones ahva3's so. Lateral line 

 present usually more or less chain-like, sometimes incomplete. Pre- 

 opercle with a simple spine at its angle which is usuall}^ curved 

 upward, its base more or less covered by skin, very rarel}" obsolete; 

 usually 2 or 3 spines turned downward below this; subopercle usuall}' 

 with a concave spine turned downward. Vertebra^ 10-|-2?) = 33; pylo- 

 ric cieca about 4. Fishes of small size, inhabiting clear waters in the 

 northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America. The species are 

 extremely numerous, and are very difiicult to distinguish, all being 

 very similar in form, coloration, and habits. The Miller's Thumb, or 

 Blob, in Japan called Kajika, is found in most streams and lakes where 

 trout occur, and it is one of the most destructive enemies of the trout, 

 devouring its eggs in great numbers. 



