PISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
265 
paring the same series of specimens as in the proportions already given, the eye is contained in the 
depth in S. aculeatus 4.1, 4.32, and 5 times, whereas in S. chrysops it is contained 5.6, 5.6, and 5.75 
times. 
The difference in the dorsal contour of the body given in current descriptions, namely, that the 
outline of the body in S. aculeatus declines more rapidly from the first dorsal spine backward than in 
S. chrysops, is not evident from the small specimens at hand. 
The present species is of southern distribution, replacing S. chrysops. It has previously not 
been reported as far north as Virginia. It is said to be rather common from Cape Hatteras south- 
ward. However, it nowhere reaches the large commercial importance attained by its congener 
from the Chesapeake Bay northward. 
Habitat . — Virginia to Texas, very rare or wanting at Key West, Fla. 
Chesapeake localities. — (a) Previous records: None, (b) Specimens in collection: Cape 
Charles, Va. (extreme point of cape), May 21, 1922, seine. 
114. Genus LAGODON Holbrook. Pinfishes 
In externally visible characters this genus is close to Probatocephalus, differing principally in 
the deeply notched teeth. The essential character of the genus is in the form of the skull, which 
is described in current works as follows: Supraoceipital and temporal crests nowhere coalescent; 
interorbital area not swollen; frontal bone in the mterorbital area thin, concave in transverse 
section; temporal crest low, separated from supraoceipital crest by a flattish area, extending for- 
ward on each side of supraoceipital crest to the groove of premaxillary spines. The genus contains 
a single species. 
146. Lagodon rhomboides (Linnseus). Pinfish. 
Spams rhomboides Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 1766, p. 470; Charleston, S. C. 
Lagodon rhomboides Uhler and Lugger, 1876. ed. I, p. 122; ed. II, p. 104; Bean, 1891, p. 90; Jordan and Evermann, 1896-1900, 
p. 1358, PI. CCXV, fig. 552. 
Head 3.1 to 3.4; depth 2.15 to 2.35; D. XII, 11; A. Ill, 11; scales 62 to 66. Body oblong, 
variable in depth, compressed; back elevated; head moderate; snout rather pointed, 2.75 to 3.1 
in head; eye 3.25 to 4.1; interorbital 2.9 to 3.55; mouth rather small, nearly horizontal, terminal; 
maxillary scarcely reaching eye, 2.95 to 3.3 in head; each jaw with eight broad, deeply notched 
incisors anteriorly on edge of jaws, followed by two rows of low, broad, blunt teeth; gill rakers 
short and slender, 12 on lower limb of first arch; scales rather small, firm, ctenoid, extending on 
base of caudal and forming a scaly sheath on soft part of dorsal and anal; dorsal fin long, con- 
tinous, rather low, the spines rather slender, extremely sharply pointed, preceded by an antrorse 
spine, origin of fin a little in advance of base of pectorals; caudal fin forked; anal fin with three 
rather strong, sharply pointed spines, second and third of about equal length, the soft part of fin 
similar to that of dorsal; ventral fins moderate, inserted about Half an eye’s diameter behind base 
of pectorals; pectorals long, pointed, reaching well beyond tips of ventrals, 2.9 to 3.55 in body. 
Color dark green above; silvery below; a dark spot at shoulder; 4 to 6 dark crossbars on sides, 
varying in distinctness among individuals; sides with several light-blue and yellow longitudinal 
stripes (fading and nearly disappearing in spirits) ; dorsal plain, with faint yellowish-brown spots 
and with yellowish browm on distal parts of spinous portion; caudal and pectorals pale yellowy 
anal plain translucent on basal half, the rest of fin yellowish brown; ventrals pale, with yellowish- 
brown streak at middle of fin. 
This fish is represented in the present collection by many specimens, ranging in length from 
20 to 185 millimeters to 7 l /i inches). The young are less brightly colored than the adults, the 
longitudinal stripes being absent and the dark crossbars quite distinct. The species is recognized 
chiefly by the deeply notched incisor teeth, the rather slender and very sharp fin spines, the antrorse 
spine preceding the dorsal fin, and by the coloration. 
The food of this fish, according to Smith (1907, p. 300), is quite varied, consisting of fish, 
worms, crustaceans, mollusks, and seaweed. The contents of 13 stomachs taken from fish caught 
in Chesapeake Bay contained the following foods, named in the order of their apparent importance: 
Vegetable debris, crustaceans, mollusks, and annelids. 
