74 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



the second is soft and long^ as well as that of the anns, tvhich 

 corresponds to it. The lips are frequently furnished with 

 filaments. Those which have been dissected, present a stomach 

 resembling an oblong sac, and short intestines, but there is no 

 caecum,. The fore part of the natatory bladder is deeply bi- 

 furcated. They keep themselves hidden in the sand, to sur- 

 prise their prey, like the Lophius, Sfc. ; the wounds inflicted 

 by the spines are reported dangerous. 



B. variegatus. Le Sueur. The Toad Fish. 

 Joiu'iial Academy Nat. Sciences, Phil. vol. iii. p. 398. 



To Dr. Yale. I am indebted for two fine specimens of this 

 species, from Holmes Hole. He informs me, they are gene- 

 rally found in ponds and lagoons connected with the sea in 

 muddy water : in winter, they are captured through the ice 

 in spearing eels ; and are not used for food. Each of these 

 specimens Avas eleven inches in length. Color yellowish ; 

 entire surface of the head, sides and abdomen marbled with 

 black ; the head so closely dotted as to appear almost black ; sides 

 irregularly undulated ; abdomen less closely marked. All the 

 fins banded with black lines. Whole of the body enveloped with 

 a copious viscid secretion, which flows from numerous mucous 

 pores every where distributed : beneath each eye, are eight very 

 distinct glands : they are also observed upon the opercula. Head 

 very much compressed : its length and breadth equal. Body 

 much narrower than the head ; gradually tapering from the base 

 of the pectorals to a short distance back of the anus, beyond which 

 it becomes very much compressed. Operculum armed with 

 three distinct spines, the upper most prominent : cheeks protu- 

 berant. Diameter of the eye three lines ; pupils black ; irides 

 golden : over the middle of each eye is situated a large fleshy 

 appendage which hangs down over the eye, and, just before 

 this, a very small appendage. Mouth very large ; lips fleshy ; 

 on the chin four small fleshy appendages ; directly beneath these, 

 two smaller ones ; on a line with these latter, three larger 

 appendages on each side, with a still larger one at the angle 



