HABITS AND LIFE HISTORY OF THE TOADFISH. 1093 



VITALITY. 



The vitality of toadfish is extraordinary, almost equal to that of the Rep- 

 tilia. Incidents might be multiplied, but two will be sufficient to make clear 

 this assertion. Before dissecting them it was my custom first to cut through 

 backbone and spinal cord back of the head, and sometimes in addition to " pith " 

 them. On June 28, 1907, this double operation was performed on a number 

 of fish, which nevertheless during the operation and afterwards opened and 

 closed their mouths, erecting their spinous dorsals, expanded their pectorals, 

 and gave forth the curious sound made by the air bladder, which may be most 

 nearly rendered "oonk" or "koonk." This sound was made by one or more 

 fish while the air bladder was being removed. 



While the above paragraph was being written, a toadfish whose spinal 

 cord had been cut, whose belly had been ripped up, and whose stomach had 

 been opened, was brought to me. It was put in a dry dish and set aside. 

 When opportunity offered, some three or four hours later, I took it up and 

 began examining its mouth to get the exact shape of its teeth; whereupon it 

 snapped at my fingers half a dozen times. Goode (1884) remarks on this 

 subject: 



They are very hardy, and when taken from the water will lie for many hours, and 

 soon recover their ordinary activity when restored to the water. 



Ayres (1842) had one live for twenty-four hours without water after it 

 had been taken with the spear. 



WINTER HABITAT. 



What becomes of the toadfish during the winter the writer can not say. 

 According to Ayres (1842) they go into deeper water, bury themselves in the 

 mud, and remain in a torpid condition until spring. Goode (1884) says: 



The bottom temperature of the water frequented by these fish would appear to 

 range from 50° F. to 90° F. In the more northern regions throughout which they are 

 distributed they appear to become torpid or nearly so in winter, and it is stated by 

 Storer (1855) that they are frequently found in the mud by men spearing eels. 



SOUNDS. 



As indicated in the paragraph on vitality, the toadfish makes a definite 

 sound which may be fairly rendered verbally by "oonk" or "koonk." These 

 sounds are produced by the contraction and relaxation of muscles connected 

 with the air bladder, which has been figured and its structure described by 

 Sorensen (1884). This paper the writer has not had an opportunity of con- 

 sulting, but Doctor Gill (1907) reproduces the figure and translates from Sorensen, 

 as follows. (The air bladder is small, U-shaped, and hence nearly doubled, the 

 paired limbs of the U projecting anteriorly.) 



