764 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



fringe of barbels ; spines on top of head in young. Soft rays 

 of dorsal and anal, 10 and 9 ; length, 3 feet. 



" This species is quite common along our coast. It is occa- 

 sionally found in the Delaware River, in the vicinity of fresh 

 water." 



Family ANTENXARIID^. 



Frog-fishes. 



Mouth oblique, almost vertical ; gill openings small, pore-like ; 

 pectorals with elbow ; ventrals near together ; dorsal with three ten- 

 tacular spines ; can float by inflating stomach. 



PTBROPHRYNOIDES. Gill. 



(Antennarius, Lac.) 



P. histrio, L. [Lophius, Pterophryne, A. marmoratus, Chironedes Ixvigatus.) 

 Mousefish, Toadfish. 



Body compressed, deep through occiput ; mouth oblique ; 

 ventrals long ; skin with fleshy tags ; eye small ; first dorsal 

 spine tentaculate, second and third covered with fleshy filaments ; 

 soft dorsal high and long ; anal short ; color yellowish, marbled 

 with brown ; three bands from eye ; vertical fins barred ; white 

 spots below. Dorsal rays, 14; anal rays, 7; ventral rays, 5. 

 Tropical ; occasionally northward. Different varieties referred 

 to as different species in the two following of C. C. A. : 



^'Antennarius varlegatus. Mousefish. 



" Not common. The writer has seen but a single specimen, 

 which was taken at Beesley's Point. 



"Antennarius gibbus. Mousefish. 



" Specimens of this species are more frequently met with than 

 are the preceding." 



Family MALTHIDiE. 



Batfishes. 



Head depressed and broad, with elevated snout and short, slender 

 trunk ; mouth not large ; gill openings behind upper part of pectorals ; 



