FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION.' - 463 



At Woods Hole, Mass., the fish is common around the shores in March and 

 April, but rare at other times. It may be taken in Vineyard Sound with a dredge 

 at almost any season, at a depth of 4 or 5 fathoms. 



Family CRYPT ACANTHODIDiE. Wrymouths. 



207. Ghostfish ; Wrymouth [CryptacantJiodcs maculatus Storer). 



The Ghostfish, or Wrymouth, has been found in Long Island Sound. It ranges 

 northward to Labrador. The Ghostfish attains to the length of 24 inches. DeKay 

 calls it the Spotted Wrymouth. His description and figure are borrowed from 

 Storer. At that time (1842) it is said that only three specimens were known, one of 

 which was obtained from the stomach of a Haddock. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smith, it is very rare. A specimen was 

 taken there about 1875, and on December 18, 1896, another example 18 inches long 

 was caught in a fyke set in Great Harbor. The fish is shaped somewhat like the 

 Eel Pout, but is slenderer and has the mouth very obliquely placed. 



Family ANARHICHADID^. Wolf Fishes. 



208. Wolf Fish {AnarJiicJias lupus Linnaeus). 



The Wolf Fish, also known as Sea Wolf, inhabits the North Atlantic, ranging 

 southward to Cape Cod and France. It is rather a common fish on both sides of 

 the ocean. It grows to a length of 3 or 4 feet. It is large and voracious, but is 

 not valued as food. 



Mitchill referred to this fish as the Sea Wolf, and DeKay describes and figures it 

 under the same name. DeKay says it is known under the various popular names of 

 Cat, Wolf Fish and Sea Cat. Its ill-favored aspect causes it to be regarded with 

 aversion by fishermen, but its flesh is by no means unsavory ; when smoked it is 

 said to have somewhat the flavor of salmon. It prefers rocky coasts, and is said to 

 spawn in May. DeKay was informed that it is' not unfrequently taken off Rocka- 

 way Beach, in company with the common Cod. In high northern latitudes the Sea 

 Wolf is said to attain to a length of 8 feet. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., it is quite rare. It is taken in Vineyard Sound late in 

 fall in traps, and also on lines fished for Cod. 



