35 



of the pectoral fin are free from the membrane. The eyes are large 

 and prominent. The color is creamy white, with irregular oblique 

 stripes passing downward across the sides. Mature specimens are 

 about three inches in length. When lifted from the water these fish 

 produce a peculiar vibrant grunting sound which has caused the appli- 

 cation of the above common name. 



FAMILY 36. SE A-POACHEBS ; AGONIDAE. 



This family, sometimes known as Alligator Fishes, is related to the 

 Sculpins but may be recognized by the armature of bony plates which 

 encloses the body. Most of our twelve species are of small size, and 

 none are of any direct value as food for man. Many of the forms are 

 of singular appearance. 



The Spineless Sea-poacher, Aspidiophoroides inermis (Gunther), 

 may be recognized by its close-fltting vestiture of smooth plates and 

 the lack of sharp angles or spines. No figure of our local species was 

 available so a closely allied form, native to Alaska, is used to illus- 

 trate the type (Fig. 79). 



The Masking Sea-poacher, Bothragonus swani (Steindachner), 

 (Fig. 81) is unquestionably the most singular fish inhabiting Puget 

 Sound. The head is greatly out of proportion to the body, and in the 

 top of the cranium there is a deep oval pit about the margin of which 

 Is a series of tooth-like spines, thus simulating a widely opened mouth. 

 When viewed from above there is the suggestion of a caricature of the 

 human countenance, the great pit in the skull representing the mouth, 

 while the surrounding plates are grouped to simulate the forehead, 

 cheeks, nose and chin. Only two specimens are known to exist. The 

 type was collected at Port Townsend in 1876 by Judge Swan, after 

 whom the species was named by Steindachner, and is now in the col- 

 lection of the Imperial Austrian Museum in Vienna. The second speci- 

 men was taken in the San Juan Islands, and is now in the collection 

 of the University of Washington. 



The Four-horned Sea-poacher, Hypsagonus quadricornis (Cuvier 

 and Valenciennes), (Fig. 85) is a singular flsh with four rows of 

 spines along each side of the body. The first dorsal is relatively large 

 and high. On the top of the head are four strong horn-like spines 

 which suggest the common name. The general color is gray, with sev- 

 eral vertical bands of black across the body and fins. 



Pallas' Sea-poacher, Pallasina aix (Starks), is a species with a 

 long slender body and an elongated tubular snout. The plates enclos- 

 ing the body are keeled, but lack spines. An allied form, P. 'bar'bata, 

 (Fig. 80) is figured in the plates. 



The Sturgeon Sea-poacher, Podothecus acipenserinus (Pallas), 

 (Fig. 82) has a general appearance which suggests a small sturgeon. 

 A fringe of barbels depending from the snout increases the similitude. 



