HA p. ITS or TIIK j, KM p- FISH. 255 



;m<l Nova Scnti:i lo deposit it^ spawn. It is then taken in considerable numbers near the harbors 

 ;it ll:ilit':i\. the largest weighing almiti live pounds. They are takeu there of two different colors, 

 the one lieinj: a dark l>luc approaching to black, and the other quite red. Those of a red color 

 only an- used as loud; they are considered good by many, although very lilt and somewhat oily ; 

 the dark -colored is considered very inferior and is not eaten." 



On the Pacific coast the Uobiesocida; are represented by Gobiesox reticulatus (Grd.) J. & G., a 

 small fish four or live inches long, adhering to rocks by a sucking disk on the breast. It is found 

 from Monterey northward, and has no economic value. The Cyclopterida; are represented by the 

 rare Ci/flo/itfrus orbis occasionally takeu in the Straits of Fuca and northward. The lAparididte 

 are represented liy Lipnris pulehelliw Ayres, aud Ifeoliparis mucosu* (Ayres) Steiudachner, small 

 lishes occasionally taken about San Francisco and Monterey, of no economic importance. 



80. THE GOBIES GOBIIDJE. 



The (loliy family is represented on the Atlantic coast by several species, none of which have 

 i-\er heeii found north of Cape Cod, and none of which are or ever can be of the slightest impor- 

 tance. rhief among these are the scaleless Goby, Gobonoma alepidotum, which is found between 

 i 'ape Cod and Texas; the Chubby Goby, Gobiwt soporator, common along the Gulf coast, and several 

 species belonging to the genera Eleotris and Dormitator. They are not even abundant enough to 

 lie worthy of consideration as food for other fishes. On the Pacific coast there are several small 

 -pccies. which may be seen lying on the bottoms entering the lagoons. They reach the length of 

 t luce to si\ inches, and are of no economic importance, though the Chinese eat the Long-jawed 

 liy. <;ilticlithi/n mirabilUt, and its flesh is said to be very good. The other species are Gobiux 

 -Hiim (Gill) J. & G., in Puget Sound; Lepidogobius granite (Girard) Gill, from San 

 Francisco northward; Eucyclogobiu* Newberrii (Girard) Gill, rarely seen about San Francisco, and 

 ilillii'hthys miraJrili* Cooper, found the entire length of the coast, but abundant only from San 

 Francisco southward. The latter species burrows in the muddy bottoms of the lagoons. 



81. THE SEA-ROBIN OR GURNARD FAMILY TRIGLID2E. 



This family is represented on our Atlantic coast by several species, some of them being quite 

 abundant. The most striking of them all is the Sea-bat or Flying Gurnard, Dactylopterus rolitans, 

 which is remarkable on account of its enormous spreading fins, larger than those of a flying-fish 

 wings which, however, are not sufficiently powerful to lift the body above the surface of the water, 

 though useful in maintaining the equilibrium of the heavy-headed body swimming through the 

 water. The colors of the body and of the fins are very brilliant, and the fish is often exhibited as a 

 curiosity. It is found along our entire coast south of Cape Cod, and in the waters of Brazil; also 

 in the Mediterranean and in the neighboring parts of the Eastern Atlantic. 



The genus Prionotm. of which we have five specimens, resembles Daclylopterus in general 

 form, but the wings are much smaller, while two or three of the lower rays of these fins are devel- 

 oped into finger-like appendages which are used in stirring up the weeds and sand to rout out the 

 small animals upon which they feed. In Southern New England there are two large species, P. 

 piilmipes and P. evolans, the latter distinguished by the presence of dark stripes upon its sides. 

 These attain the length of fifteen to eighteen inches and the weight of one and a quarter to two 

 pounds. They have excellent food qualities, but are eaten, so far as we have record, only in the 

 vicinity of Hartford, Connecticut, where they are known as "Wing-fish." They are takeu in great 

 quantities in the pound-nets along the Vineyard Sound, especially the unstriped species, the habits 



