PISHES OF NEW YORK 651 



each side of the space between the dorsals; a row of larger ones 

 extends from the supraorbital region along the flank to the 

 upper part of the tail ; a series, starting a little above the pec- 

 toral, passes to the lower portion of the tail; and a third lateral 

 series reaches along each line of the lower surface from the side 

 of the disk to the anal. The fleshy ridge enveloping the first 

 dorsal is subject to considerable variation; it usually continues 

 forward on the nape and becomes indefinite at the occiput. D. 

 VI to VIII, 11; A. 9 or 10; V. 6; P. 20; C. 12 to 14; B. 6; vertebrae 

 11+18=29. 



Colors in alcohol, brownish or olive to grayish, the tubercles 

 darker. In life the tints vary from yellowish or greenish in the 

 young to more or less brilliant red in males, or bluish to dark 

 brown in females; spots, blotches, cloudings, or other markings 

 are not infrequent. The young often take the color of their sur- 

 roundings, De Kay had a specimen with the following colors: 

 above deep blue, becoming paler on the sides, which are tinged 

 with yellowish beneath, approaching to red. Ventrals bright 

 yellow, and in the spawning season, bright red. Irides yellow- 

 ish. Kumlien had one with iris umber. 



The lumpfish is called cock-paddle and hen-paddle in Scotland, 

 lumpsucker, lumpfish, and sea owl in England, Licorne de Mer 

 in France. Its habitat is in the North Atlantic, on rocky shores 

 of both coasts, south to New York and France. It is said to 

 attain to a weight of 17 pounds and a length of 20 inches, but 

 is usually much smaller. The species is rarely used for food 

 in our country, but in Scotland it is said to be considered a great 

 delicacy. 



By means of its ventral disk it can adhere firmly to any solid 

 substance. Pennant relates that upon throwing one of these 

 fishes into a pail of water it adhered so strongly that upon tak- 

 ing hold of the fish by the tail he lifted the whole vessel contain- 

 ing several gallons of water. 



The lumpfish is found in Gravesend bay in May. It will not 

 live longer than a few weeks in captivity. Adults are common 

 in the vicinity of Woods Hole Mass. in April and a few are seen 



