406 REPORT OF THE 



is never seen in great schools. It takes small fish crosswise in its jaws and after- 

 wards turns its prey around for the purpose of swallowing it. 



The smallest individual obtained in 1901 was 2^ inches long. This was found 

 in Clam Pond Cove July 24. It is not uncommon to capture examples in Great 

 South Bay measuring more than 2 feet ; indeed a fish measuring 27 inches long 

 was speared while fire lighting in Smith's Cove September 5, 1901. This fish was 

 one of those most frequently seen at night while fishing with lanterns. It was 

 usually at the surface and near the light ; sometimes in advance of the boat or keep- 

 ing abreast of it. Occasionally a large Gar, startled by the appearance of the lan- 

 tern, darts with great velocity and force away from the boat. 



79. Houndfish ; Guardfish [Tj/osnrus rap/iidojna Ka.nza.m). 



The Guardfish is a West Indian species known as the Aguja de Casta ; its range 

 extends southward to Brazil and the young occasionally stray, in summer, northward 

 to New York. An individual 6^^ inches long was taken by the writer August I, 

 1887, at Ocean City, N. J. This was described and figured in Bulletin U. S. Fish 

 Commission, VII, 146, pi. II, fig. 15, 1888, under the name Tylosnrus gladius. 



The fish grows to the length of 5 feet and occasionally becomes dangerous to 

 fishermen by leaping from the water into boats. 



80. Houndfish {Tylosnrus acus Lacepede). 



The Houndfish is a West Indian species which occasionally extends its range 

 northward to Buzzards Bay. It may also be found in the Mediterranean. The fish 

 grows to the length of 4 feet ; its specific name means needle, from its slender, 

 pointed jaws. 



The Houndfish has been taken occasionally at Woods Hole, Mass. Dr. Smith 

 records a specimen 4^ feet long which was taken in a trap at the breakwater 

 August 6, 1885. This example was remarkable by having on top of its head 

 between the eyes, five or six barnacles, each about 2]/^ inches long. Another 

 specimen 49 inches long was obtained at Woods Hole in 1875. Several additional 

 examples have been collected from time to time at Woods Hole. 



Family HEMIRHAMPHIDiE. Balaos. 



81. Half Beak {HyporhavipJins roberti C. & V.). 



The Half Beak was apparently unknown to Mitchill and DeKay. It is occa- 

 sionally found on our northern coast, its range extending from Cape Cod to the 

 Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Smith reports it usually common in the vicinity of Woods 



