458 REPORT OF THE 



Sculpins on our coast. Its range extends from the Bay of Fundy to New Jersey. 

 It has no value for food but is used for Lobster bait, and it is a very useful 

 scavenger. 



In Brookhaven, Long Island, according to Ayres, it was seen around wharves in 

 harbors, and in one or two instances was taken in the Sound. It is practically a 

 permanent resident in Gravesend Bay. This Sculpin spawns in winter. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., it also spawns in winter, and is caught daily in fyke nets 

 set in the harbor. The eggs adhere to the twine. The largest fish are 5 inches 

 long. 



197. l8-Spined Sculpin {Myoxoccplialns octodcchiispiiwsus Mitchill). 



The i8-Spined Sculpin, Hacklehead, or Long-spined Sculpin inhabits the 

 Atlantic coast from Labrador to Virginia. It is very common about Cape Cod. It 

 reaches the length of about i foot. Mitchill first described the species in 1815. 

 DeKay calls it the Common Bullhead. He says it sometimes reaches a length of 18 

 inches. He states also that it is not a bad article of food, but is regarded with 

 aversion by fishermen on account of its uncouth form. When freshly taken from 

 the water and irritated it presents a formidable appearance. The head is swollen to 

 twice its usual size by the distension of the branchial membrane ; the spines stand 

 out prominently, and the rays of all the fins become erect. He says further that it 

 is known under the various popular names of Sculpin, Sea Robin, Bullhead, Sea 

 Toad and Pigfish, the latter from its croaking noise when drawn from the water. 



In Gravesend Bay this fish is known as the Hacklehead. It is taken only in 

 winter and early spring. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smit"h, it first appears about October 

 I, becomes very abundant about October 15, and remains until December or 

 January. It spawns in November and December and the eggs often come ashore 

 by bucketsful on Nobska Beach. 



198. Daddy Sculpin [Myoxocephalus grccnlandicns C. & V.). 



The Daddy Sculpin is a very large species, reaching a length of 25 inches ; its 

 range extends from New York to Greenland. Fabricius stated that it abounds in 

 all the bays and inlets of Greenland ; it prefers a stony coast clothed with seaweed. 

 It approaches the shore in spring and departs in winter. It is very voracious, 

 preying on everything that comes in its way, and pursuing incessantly the smaller 

 fish, not sparing the young of its own species, and devouring Crustacea and worms. 

 It spawns in December and January and deposits its red-colored roe on the seaweed. 



