FAMILY LOPHID^ BATRACHUS. 169 



The dorsal fin long and subequal, commencing above the spines of the opercle, and extend- 

 ing nearly to the tail. Although described as a double dorsal, it is in fact single, with spinous 

 and soft portions connected by a comparatively low membrane. The first portion consists of 

 three stoutly spinous rays, of which the middle is longest ; the soft portion long and low, and 

 subequal throughout. Pectorals wide and rounded, of eighteen rays. Ventrals arise anterior 

 to the branchial aperture, and consist of one spinous and two simple rays, enveloped in a 

 thick, long and pointed membrane. The anal fin commences under the seventh ray of the 

 soft portion of the dorsal, and is coterminal with that fin ; its first two rays are short ; the 

 remainder longer, and subequal throughout. Caudal much rounded. 



Color, of the head and body, olive-green mottled with darker green ; tliis color, soon after 

 death, becomes of a bright brassy hue. Irides black, surrounded by a narrow golden ring. 

 Pectorals, ventrals and caudal fins orange ; the latter with interrupted bars of brown ; ventrals 

 uniform ; pectorals with two or more concentric bars of deep blackish brown, becoming obso- 

 lete towards the base. Dorsal and anal fins olive-green, tinged with reddish along the upper 

 margin; each with from five to seven dark spots, occasionally tending towards stripes or bars. 

 Beneath dull yellow or pale ; flesh-colored under the chin. 



Length, 6-0. Depth, TS. 



Fin rays, D. 3.26; P. 18; V. 3 ; A. 21; C. 15. 



The size here given is the usual average size. I have seen them a foot long. It is a matter 

 of doubt with me whether this species is not identical with the following. They closely re- 

 semble each other in color, cirri, etc., and appear to differ only in the following particulars : 

 1. Dorsals separated, which, however, may have been produced by an accidental rupture of 

 the membrane. 2. The number of rays. In the variegatus, according to Lesueur, the rays 

 vary from twenty-one to twenty-eight ; an extent of variation scarcely compatible with the 

 idea of a single species. According to Storer, it is twenty-five. Cuvier, although he admits 

 the species variegatus, leaves us to infer that Lesueur's specimen with twenty-one rays may 

 be allied to B. gronovii ; and that with twenty-eight rays, to the present species. He does not 

 hesitate, however, to arrange Var. a and b of variegatus under B. tau. The Toad-fish of 

 Storer, I also refer to die same species ; the only difference I can percieve, being in the less 

 elevated posterior portion of the dorsal rays. The apparently odd specific name of tau, given 

 by Linneus, is derived from the Greek name of the letter T, such a figure being produced 

 on the head by two elevated lines in the dried specimens. 



This fish is frequently taken in our waters, but finds no favor with the fishermen, on account 

 of its unsightly appearance ; its flesh, however, when properly cooked, is well flavored. It 

 usually lies half buried in the mud, or among seaweed ; and with its capacious mouth widely 

 extended, and aided by his sac-like opercles, either silently sucks in small marine animals, or 

 suddenly seizes such small fish as may incautiously pass over his extended jaws. 



The common toad-fish has an extensive geographical range, having been observed from 

 Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. 



Fauna — Part 4. 22 



