THE FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 379 



pectoral to lower side of tail, large anteriorly. A lower series 

 starts along each side of lower surface from side of disk to anal. 

 Fins rounded, radii rough with small tubercles. Rayed dorsal 

 posterior, a little nearer base of caudal than gill-opening in its 

 insertion. Anal a little po,sterior in its insertion to that of rayed 

 dorsal. Caudal rounded. Pectoral rounded, broad and fringed. 

 Color in life translucent greenish. Length 9 inches. New Jersey. 



I have seen several examples from different points on our coast. 

 It reaches a length of more than 20 inches, and is said to be rarely 

 iised^as food. Dr. Henry C. Chapman secured an example at 

 Atlantic City. 



Cyclopterus lumpus Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 818. 



Sub-Order CRANIOMI. 



The Gurnards. 



Singular fishes of warm seas, the head always with a coat of 

 mail and differing from the Pareioplitce in the peculiar shoulder- 

 girdle. 



Key to the families. 



a. Pectoral with 3 lowest rays detached as feelers. trigud^ 



■aa. Pectoral divided to base into 2 unequal parts, but with no free feelers. 



CEPHAIvACANTHID.^ 



Family TRIGLIDiE. 



The Gurnards. 



Body elongate, usually more or less fusiform. Head exter- 

 nally bony, entirely cuirassed wnth rough bony plates, some of 

 which are armed with spines. Eyes high. Mouth terminal or 

 subinferior. Premaxillaries protractile. Maxillary without sup- 

 plemental bone, slipping under preorbital. Teeth very small, in 

 bands in jaws, and usually on vomer and palatines. Gill-mem- 

 branes free from isthmus. Gills 4, a large slit behind fourth. 

 Gill-rakers various. Pseudobranchise present. Air-vessel pres- 

 ent. Pyloric coeca usually present, few in number. Body covered 



