36 



The Inky Sea-poacher, Averruncus emmelane (Jordan and Starks), 

 (Pig. 84) has a very rough external surface, and is covered everywhere 

 with rough coarse plates and spines. The general coloration is so 

 dark as to suggest the above specific name. The ground color is, how- 

 ever, relieved through the presence of some beautiful white markings, 

 especially on the fins, which are handsomely mottled. 



The Blaok-flnned Sea-poacher, Bathyagonus nigripinnis (Gilbert), 

 is a long slender fish with rough spiny exterior, and with the pectoral 

 fins divided by a notch into two portions, the lower section being com- 

 posed of simple spines. All of the fins are intensely blue-black. This 

 species has, been recorded from the outer coast of Washington, but no 

 specimens have been reported from Puget Sound. 



The Broad-headed Sea-poacher, Xeneretmus latifrons (Gilbert), is 

 a familar form in Puget Sound. In common with three other species 

 of this genus which follow, it has a peculiarly formed pectoral, this fin 

 being divided by a deep notch into two portions, the lower of which is 

 composed of greatly thickened rays which are simple and longer than 

 those of the upper lobe. The interorbital space is unusually narrow 

 in the Broad-headed Sea-poacher which gives this form its specific 

 name. 



The Three-spined Sea-poacher, Xeneretmus triacanthus (Gilbert), 

 (Pig. 83) differs from the preceding in minor anatomical details. 



The Alaskan Sea-poacher, Xeneretmus alaskanus (Gilbert), is the 

 third of these closely related forms. It differs from the two preceding 

 forms in having three vertical spines on the rostral plate rather than 

 one. The breast is composed of numerous plates. 



The Weak-spined Sea-poacher Xeneretmus infraspinatus (Gilbert), 

 is very similar to X. alaskanus. 



The Pitted Sea-poacher, Odontopyxis trispinosus (Lockington), 

 rather suggests the Masking Sea-poacher but is much more slender in 

 build. A pit is present on the top of the head but lacks the inwardly 

 projecting spines of Bothragonus. 



FAMILY 37. LUMP SUCKERS. CYCLOPTERIDAE. 



Here we have a small family of short, thick fishes having a ventral 

 sucker-like organ formed by a modification of the ventral fins. By 

 means of this structure they are able to cling to rocks or other sub- 

 merged objects, a peculiarity which has led to the assignment of the 

 common name. The body is covered with a skin lacking in scales and 

 either smooth or warty. The spinous dorsal is distinct. Two species 

 of these odd fish are recorded from our waters. 



The Warty Lump-sucker, Bumicrotremus orhis (Gunther), attains a 

 length of four inches. It is rounded in form and swims clumsily. The 

 skin is covered with numerous warty projections. It is fairly common. 



