THE FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 377 



Genus Aspidophoroidhs Lacepede. 



The Sea Poachers. 

 Aspidophorides monopterygius (Bloch). 



Body very slender, the depth about 8, plates in lateral line 46 

 to 48, and nasal spines present. 



A peculiar fish, reaching a length of 6 inches, in deep water. 

 Once recorded by Dr. Abbott from off the north shore. 



Sea Poacher. Aspidoplioroides monopterygius (Bloch). 



Aspidophoroides monopterygius Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, 

 p. 816. 



Family CYCLOPTERID^. 



The Lump Suckers. 



Body short and thick, more or less elevated. Head short and 

 thick. Suborbital stay present, thin and flattish. Mouth small, 

 terminal. Jaws with bands of slender simple teeth and none on 

 vomer or palatines. Gill openings narrow, restricted to sides, 

 and membranes broadly joined to isthmus and shoulder-girdle. 

 Gills 3^. Pseudobranchi?s present. Branchiostegals 6. Body 

 covered with a thick skin which is smooth, tubercular or spinous. 

 -Pyloric coeca numerous. Intestine elongate. Vertebrae 12 + 16. 

 Skeleton feebl}^ ossified. Dorsals 2, anterior part of flexible 

 spines, which in adult are sometimes hidden by fleshy hump, again 



