LWHIUS. FISHES. 471 



neath, the whole, as well as the fins, variegated with numerous 

 irregular blackish spots ; tail with two or three transverse bands ; 

 lower lip fringed with cirri. 1 foot long. Inhabits American 

 and Indian seas. Block, pi. 6, fig. 2, 3. 



B. grunniens, Cuv. (Cottus, Lin.) Body brown, smooth, with white 

 variegations, and exuding a mucous fluid ; fins pale, spotted with 

 brown ; sides of the head and lower jaw furnished with cirri. 6 

 to 8 inches long. Indian and American seas. Block, pi. 179. 



** Without cirri 

 B. Surinamensis, Cuv. S. American seas Cuv. Reg. An. ii. 308. 



4. Skin without scales, and pectorals supported by arms. 



Gen. 97. LOPHIUS, Cuv. 



Head extremely broad and depressed, spinous in many parts ; 

 mouth wide, with pointed teeth ; lower jaw with numerous 

 cirri ; two distinct dorsal fins, and some free and moveable 

 rays on the head ; branchial membrane with six elongated 

 rays, and the opening behind the pectorals ; ventral fins 

 placed before the pectorals ; skin without scales ; no swim- 

 ming-vessel. 



The fishes of this genus are said to conceal themselves in the sand, moving the 

 rays upon their head, which being taken for worms by the smaller fishes, are thus 

 brought within their reach. 



L. piscatorius, Lin. The Angler or Frog-Fish. Head extremely 

 large, rounded ; pectorals supported as by two arms ; mouth ex- 

 cessively wide ; body brown, with deeper and paler variegations ; 

 ventral fins short, stiff; two or three long tentacula on the top 

 of the head, and sides fringed with similar processes. 2 to 4 or 

 6 feet long. Inhabits European seas Shaw, v. pi. 161. 

 This species grows to a large size, some having been taken measuring six or seven 

 feet in length. In shape it bears some resemblance to a tadpole. The head is ex- 

 tremely large, rounded in front, and the mouth very wide. The Frog-Fish frequents 

 shallows, lying in ambush half covered by sea weeds for its prey. 



Gen. 98. ANTENNARIUS, Commers. Lophius, Bloch. 

 Body and head compressed ; mouth opened vertically ; bran- 

 chial membrane with four rays ; free rays on the head, the 

 first slender, often terminated by a tuft, the two following 

 augmented by a membrane, sometimes tumid, sometimes unit- 

 ed like a fin ; dorsal fin long ; and often fleshy appendages 

 over all the body. 



This genus are able to inflate their large stomach in the manner of the tetrodons, 

 like a balloon. On land their fins assist them to crawl almost like a quadruped, 

 their pectoral fins on account of their position acting as hind feet ; and they are able 

 to live out of the water for two or three days. They are found in tropical seas. 



A. histrio, Cuv. Body thick, much compressed, rough and unequal, 

 yellowish brown, irregularly marked or marbled with deep brown 

 or blackish variegations; pectoral and ventral fins resembling 

 short arms ; upper lip and head with cartilaginous appendages^ 



