358 FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



short and beginning far forward; anal fin without spines, similar to second dorsal; 

 caudal rather long; ventral fins thoracic, wide apart, their rays i,5. The genera 

 are few, and only 1 genus is represented on the shores of the United States. 



Genus PRIONOTUS LacSpfede. Sea-robins; American Gurnards. 



The sea-robins are among the most numerous and best known of the shore 

 fishes of the east coast. Their principal anatomical characters are: Body more 

 or less round in section, tapering regularly backward from shoulder to slender 

 caudal peduncle; head entirely covered with bony plates, which have granula- 

 tions, ridges, and spines; snout broad, depressed, and much longer than eye; 

 mouth broad, terminal, with bands of small teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; 

 the spines on head definitely placed, 1 on opercle, 1 or 2 at angle of preopercle, 2 

 on nape, and 1 on shoulder girdle; gill-membranes free from isthmus; gill-rakers 

 rather long and numerous; lateral line continuous; small, regularly arranged 

 rough scales completely covering body, only a few on head; pyloric coeca 

 present in moderate number; air-bladder rather large, with a speciahzed muscle 

 attached to its external surface; vertebrae about 25; dorsal fins separate, the 

 first with 8 to 10 strong spines, the second longer and similar to anal; caudal 

 rather long; pectorals broad, wing-like, the 3 anterior rays separated from others, 

 long, thickened, free from each other, and developed as flexible tactile organs. • 



The species are of small si^, rarely exceeding a foot in length. They live 

 mostly on the bottom, using their finger-like pectoral rays very dexterously in 

 finding food. They are able to make a grunting sound by the action of the air- 

 bladder, and are hence called pig-fish- in some localities. 



The flesh is white and of good flavor, but these fishes are rarely eaten, 

 although the closely related gurnards of Europe (Trigla) are food fishes of some 

 importance. Immense quantities of sea-robins are caught in pound nets, seines, 

 and other nets along the entire Atlantic coast from Massachusetts southward, 

 but no use is made of them except as compost. More than 20 species are known 

 from our coasts; 9 from the eastern seaboard of the United States; and 4 from 

 North Carolina, all the local species being known as "flying-fish" or "flying- 

 toad" among the fishermen. 



Key to the North Carolina species of sea-robins. 



i. Head large, more than .3 total length; mouth relatively large, the maxiUary at least .4 length 



head; pectoral at least .5 length of body; free rays of pectoral tapering, not expanded at tip. 



u. No distinct spine on cheek bone at center of radiation nor on edge of preorbital; head of 



moderate width; the spines except those on nape not prominent; gSl-rakers long and 



slender, 18 to 20 developed on lower arm of first arch; depth of body more than .2 



total length; pectorals dark green evolans. 



aa. A distinct spine on cheek bone at center of radiation, and a preorbital spine with a smaller 

 one at base; head very broad, with high, knife-like spines; gill-rakers shorter and 

 thicker, about 10 developed on lower arm of first arch; depth of body .2 total length; 



pectorals light green tribtdus. 



a. Head smaller, its length less than .3 total length; mouth relatively small, the maxillary 

 less than .4 length of head; pectoral less than .5 total length of body; free rays of pec- 

 toral expanded. 

 b. Body very slender, the depth about .16 total length; dorsal spines high, the third' con- 

 tained 1.6 times in head; caudal fin square behind; general color olive, with numerous 

 round bronze or reddish spots on back and sides, a black spot on spinous dorsal, soft 

 dorsal and caudal sometimes black or dark brown scUidus. 



