24 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The Sea raven, or deep water scidpin, as it is generally 

 called by our fishermen, is the only known species of the 

 genus "Hemitripterus.^' It was considered a '^Cottiis^^ by Pen- 

 nant, and a '^ iScorpcena" by Gmelin and Mitchell. 



It is taken in deep water, in the neighborhood of ledges, by 

 the cod fishers, and grows to the length of two feet. This 

 species varies exceedingly in its color. Thus of three fine spe- 

 cimens lying before me, one is of a deep blood red color ; a sec- 

 ond, of a pinkish purple ; the third, of a yellowish brown, 

 darker on the back ; each, however, variegated on the head 

 and sides and fins with irregularly defined markings : body, 

 beneath, yellowish. The coloring matter of the surface tinges 

 the fingers when rubbed upon it. Surface of body destitute 

 of scales, granulated, and studded with innumerable tuber- 

 cles, which are quite large high up on the back, and very 

 small or almost entirely disappearing beneath the lateral 

 line. Head large, spinous, hideous in appearance. Length 

 of head to entire length of body, measuring to posterior 

 extremity of operculum, nearly as one to four : width of 

 head across opercula equal to its length. Twelve, more or less 

 prominent, blunted spinous tubercles on each side of median 

 line of head, the sharpest pointed, just back of nostrils : the 

 largest, at posterior angles of eyes, and just in front of dorsal 

 fin. Fleshy cirrhi are suspended from several portions of the 

 head, such as anterior and posterior angles of eyes and about 

 snout : those hanging from over eyes appear like a broad 

 fringe. Orbitar cavity large. J^yes moderate in size, pupils 

 black, irides yellowish brown. Distance between superior 

 angle of eyes rather less than one fourth the length of the 

 head : space between eyes deeply depressed. Operculum, at 

 its posterior angle, armed with two strong spines, similar to 

 those of the "Cottus." Jaws about equal in length: twelve 

 digitated cirrhi are suspended from under jaw. Mouth very 

 large. Teeth in jaws and palate numerous, sharp, recurved : 

 teeth also in pharynx. The lateral line, which is tubercular, 

 commences just above posterior angle of operculum, and curv- 



