272 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



as base of pectoral fin. The lateral line, marked throughout its whole extent by very 



distinct mucous pores, arises just back of upper spine of operculum, and runs nearly 



a straight course high up on the back to the tail. 

 The dorsal fin arises just back of the head, and is continued to the tail Its first 



three rays are spinous, the central one being much the longest ; these are united to the 



fleshy rays by a deeply emarginated membrane. Fleshy portion of nearly uniform 



height, Eays multifid. Terminates abruptly at base of tail, to which it is connected 



by a membrane. 



The pectorals, stout and fleshy, arise at the lower edge of the branchial opening; 



rounded and fan-shaped when expanded. 



The ventrals, of very irregular shape, originate some distance in front of pectorals ; 



the first ray, which is stout and falciform, is enveloped in a thick, fleshy membrane. 



Fin tied down to abdomen posteriorly. 



The anal fin commences beneath the anterior third of the dorsal, and terminates on 

 a line with the posterior extremity of that fin ; the fleshy margin is strongly digitated. 

 The caudal fin is broad and rounded posteriorly. 



The fin rays are as follows : ~ D. 3 - 27. P. 16. V. 3. A. 24, C. 14. 

 Remarks. The Toad-fish is an inhabitant of our entire Atlantic coast, extending its 

 residence also even as far as into the Gulf of Mexico, and to some of the West India 

 Islands. It lives generally in shoal water, being seldom taken at any great distance 

 from the shore. The particular situations which it chooses vary with the nature of 

 the coast. Thus along our Southern shores it is found in the shallow bays. The 

 sandy or muddy bottom of these is overgrown with Eel-grass (Zostera marina)^ under 

 cover of which it lives in security, and finds abundant sources of food. Where the 

 coast, on the contrary, is more or less rocky, we meet with it chiefly under stones. 

 Examining the places where the water is but a few inches in depth at low tide, we see 

 that, under many of the stones and smaller rocks, the sand on one side has been removed, 

 leaving a shallow cavity, perhaps a foot in width, and extending back beneath the 

 stone. If we approach this cautiously, we shall probably distinguish the head of a 

 Toad-fish, very much in the position of that of a dog as he lies looking out of 

 his kenneL The fish is at rest, and might be overlooked by a careless observer. A 

 closer attention, however, readily distinguishes the curve of its broad mouth, the 

 delicate laciniated processes with which its jaws and other parts of its head are orna- 

 mented, its truly beautiful eyes, and sometimes the anterior portion of its body. At 

 the slightest alarm, it retreats beneath the stone, but presently reappears. It is lying 

 here, perhaps merely as in a safe resting-place, perhaps on the watch for its prey. 



