CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 753 



OYCLOPTBRIS, L. 

 Xj. lumpus, L. [Lumpus anglorum, De K.) Lumpfish. Lump Sucker. 

 Ventral disk small ; head heavy, nearly round ; skin with 

 tubercles and seven rows of spiny plates; olivaceous, with 

 darker markings. Dorsal rays, VII — 10; anal rays, 10. 



" This species belongs to the northern seas, and is very seldom 

 met with as far south as the coast of New Jersey. A specimen 

 taken at Sandy Hook in 1866, warrants our placing it in the 

 State's fauna." 



Family BATRACHIDiE. 



Toadfishes. 



Body robust, depressed in front, compressed behind ; head large, 

 with mucous channels ; mouth very large, with strong teeth ; pseudo- 

 branchs none ; ventrals large, jugular. 



BATRACHUS, Bl. & Schn. 

 B. tau, L. Toadfish. Sarpo. Oyster-tish. 



Body scaleless ; no lateral line ; young with tufted cirri on 

 back and sides; color dusky olive, with irregular bars on sides, 

 &c. ; belly lighter ; fins barred ; teeth largest posteriorly ; tip of 

 snout with cirri ; subopercle ends in a long, sharp spine. Dorsal 

 rays. III — 27 ; anal rays, 24. 



"This unattractive fish is very abundant along our coast, and 

 is to be met with outside the beach, and never or very seldom in 

 the inlets or bays. 



" The flesh is said by those who have been able to overcome 

 their aversion to the fish, to be very sweet and palatable." 



Family BLENXID^. 



Blennies. 



Body oblong ; cheeks not mailed ; ventrals jugular ; caudal rounded, 

 diphycercal ; air-bladder usually wanting. 



2x 



