642 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



tance from the posterior margin of the eye to the origin of first 

 dorsal. D. IX, 16; A. 14. 



General color dark olivaceous above, paler below, under side 

 of head and belly white; fins barred and mottled. 



This large sculpin reaches the length of about 1 foot. It 

 occurs on the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Labrador and is 

 very common about Cape Cod and in Massachusetts bay. In the 

 southern part of its habitat it is found only in late fall and 

 winter; in Great Egg bay, for example, an individual 12 inches 

 long was caught at Somers Point in November. In Gravesend 

 bay the fish is taken only in winter and early spring and it can 

 not endure the temperature of the water in summer. It is known 

 to the fishermen of that vicinity as the hacklehead. 



De Kay does not mention any particular locality for the 

 species, but says it ranges from Virginia to Newfoundland, and 

 perhaps farther north. He makes the following additional 

 remarks: "This species, which, on account of its uncouth form, 

 is regarded with aversion by fishermen, is nevertheless not a bad 

 article of food. In fact, when freshly taken from the .water, and 

 irritated, they do present rather a formidable appearance. The 

 head is swollen to twice its usual size by the distension of the 

 branchial membrane; the spines stand out prominently, and the 

 rays of all the fins become erect. It is known under the various 

 popular names of sculpin, quere scorpion? sea robin, bullhead, 

 sea toad, and pigfish; the latter from its croaking noise when 

 drawn from the water." 



Dr Smith states that it first appears in the vicinity of Woods 

 Hole, Mass., about October 1, becomes very abundant by October 

 15, and .remains till December or January. The spawning time 

 is November and December; the eggs often come ashore by 

 bucketfuls on Nobska beach. 



314 Myoxocephalus groenlandicus (Cuv. & Val.) 

 Daddy Sculpin 



Coitus gramlandicus CUVIEB & VALENCIENNES, Hist. Nat. Poiss. IV, 156, 

 1829; RICHARDSON, Fauna Bor.-Amer. Ill, 46, 297, pi. 95, fig. 2, 1836; 

 DE KAY, N. Y. Fauna, Fishes, 54, pi. 4, fig. 10, 1842; GUN THEE, Cat. 

 Fish. Brit Mus. II, 161, 1860. 



