FISHES OF NEW YORK 655 



the base of the pectorals and with the isthmus. Gills 3J; pseuo- 

 dcbranchiae not evident. Pectoral very broad, extending down- 

 ward and forward under the throat; the twelve upper rays reach 

 to the vertical from the origin of the anal, the remainder grad- 

 ually becoming shorter as far as the last but six, which are con- 

 siderably produced. The six rays which constitute the base of 

 the ventral disk may be easily distinguished; the disk is sur- 

 rounded by about 13 soft and flat papillae. Dorsal fin com- 

 mencing above middle of pectoral and slightly connected with 

 caudal; its middle rays highest. Caudal moderately long and 

 rounded, its rays simple, articulated. Anal origin below seventh 

 ray of dorsal, the fin continuous with the caudal. Vent midway 

 between ventral disk and anal fin. 



B. 6; 33 to 36; A. 27 to 29; P. 34 to 37; O. 10 to 14; pyloric 

 caeca 10 to 16 ; vertebrae 38 to 42. 



Color very variable. Some specimens are pale yellowish 

 brown, mottled and spotted with dark brown. Others are red- 

 dish gray, with broad, irregular black spots; fins reddish, with 

 black dots arranged in transverse bands. Others, again, are 

 brownish, with irregular darker longitudinal streaks on the head 

 and body. (After Gtinther) 



The species grows to the length of 5 inches. It inhabits the 

 North Atlantic, on both coasts, extending southward to Long 

 Island Sound and France. 



At Woods Hole Mass., according to Dr Smith, it is common in 

 winter on rocky bottoms, and is found full of spawn in December 

 and January. In Massachusetts bay it is a resident of rocky 

 bottoms among the roots of the kelp. Mr J. H. Sears discovered 

 it in the vicinity of Salem, near taker's island, in 6 feet of water. 

 Kumlien found it fastened to kelp in Cumberland gulf in depths 

 of 5 to 7 fathoms. It is to be noted that Kumlien's specimens 

 had an increased number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins. 



Kichardson mentions this sea snail from the west side of 

 Davis strait, in lat. 70° n. and from Kegent's inlet. 



Professor Collett found the alimentary canal of one specimen 

 filled with small amphipods^ one of them being C a p r e 1 1 a 



