FAMILY LOPHIDA — BATRACHUS. 169 
The dorsal fin long and subequal, commencing above the spines of the opercle, and extend- 
ing nearly to the tail. Although described as a double dorsal, it is in fact single, with spinous 
and soft portions connected by a comparatively low membrane. The first portion consists of 
three stoutly spinous rays, of which the middle is longest; the soft portion long and low, and 
subequal throughout. Pectorals wide and rounded, of eighteenrays. Ventrals arise anterior 
to the branchial aperture, and consist of one spmous and two simple rays, enveloped in a 
thick, long and pointed membrane. ‘The anal fin commences under the seventh ray of the 
soft portion of the dorsal, and is coterminal with that fin ; its first two rays are short; the 
remainder longer, and subequal throughout. Caudal much rounded. 
Color, of the head and body, olive-green mottled with darker green; this color, soon after 
death, becomes of a bright brassy hue. Irides black, surrounded by a narrow golden ring. 
Pectorals, ventrals and caudal fins orange; the latter with interrupted bars of brown; ventrals 
uniform ; pectorals with two or more concentric bars of deep blackish brown, becoming obso- 
lete towards the base. Dorsal and anal fins olive-green, tinged with reddish along the upper 
margin; each with from five to seven dark spots, occasionally tending towards stripes or bars. 
Beneath dull yellow or pale; flesh-colored under the chin. 
Length, 6°0. Depth, 1°5. 
‘Hin gays, Dv 3!.26 Pu 18) Vis A. 21; C215; 
The size here given is the usual average size. I have seen them a foot long. It is a matter 
of doubt with me whether this species is not identical with the following. They closely re- 
semble each other in color, cirri, etc., and appear to differ only in the following particulars : 
1. Dorsals separated, which, however, may have been produced by an accidental rupture of 
the membrane. 2. The number of rays. In the variegatus, according to Lesueur, the rays 
vary from twenty-one to twenty-eight; an extent of variation scarcely compatible with the 
idea of a single species. According to Storer, it is twenty-five. Cuvier, although he admits 
the species variegatus, leaves us to infer that Lesueur’s specimen with twenty-one rays may 
be allied to B. gronovit ; and that with twenty-eight rays, to the present species. He does not 
hesitate, however, to arrange Var. a and b of variegatus under B. tau. The Toad-fish of 
Storer, I also refer to the same species; the only difference I can percieve, being in the less 
elevated posterior portion of the dorsal rays. The apparently odd specific name of tau, given 
by Linneus, is derived from the Greek name of the letter T, such a figure being produced 
on the head by two elevated lines in the dried specimens. 
This fish is frequently taken in our waters, but finds no favor with the fishermen, on account 
of its unsightly appearance ; its flesh, however, when properly cooked, is well flavored. It 
usually lies half buried in the mud, or among seaweed ; and with its capacious mouth widely 
extended, and aided by his sac-like opercles, either silently sucks in small marine animals, or 
suddenly seizes such small fish as may incautiously pass over his extended jaws. 
The common toad-fish has an extensive geographical range, having been observed from 
Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. 
Fauna — Parr 4. 22 
