FISHES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF WOODS HOLE. 
105 
164. Chilomycterus schoepfi (Walbaum). Swell-toad; “Puffer”; “ Porcupine-fish.” (* t) 
Rare, and of irregular occurrence. Some years a few are taken in almost every trap in the vicinity, 
then none will be caught for several years. The latter part of September and the early part of October 
are the periods when this iish is observed. The specimens tsrtren are from 2£ to 5 inches long. 
MOLIDA!!. The Head-Fishes. 
165. Mola mola (Linnteus). Sunfish. 
Much rarer now than formerly. In the early years of the Commission 8 or 10 specimens were 
observed annually in Vineyard Sound, but of late there is seldom more than one seen in a season. In 
1896 a 400-pound fish was seen off Tarpaulin Cove. In 1887 a 200-pound specimen, caught off Great 
Harbor, was retained alive at the station for about a week. August is the month when the sunfish is 
usually found in these waters. A number that have been opened by Mr. Edwards contained only 
ctenophores and medusae. 
SCORPiENIDJE. The Rock-Fishes. 
166. Sebastes marinus (Linnaeus). Bosefish; Bed Perch; Bream; Norway Haddock. (* t) 
Obtained in the Woods Hole region on only one occasion. On December 20, 1895, in Great Har- 
bor, 7 or 8 specimens, 3 inches long, were found in a hole on a flat, where they had been left by the 
tide; 4 or 5, of these had been stranded and were dead; the others were alive, and are now preserved 
in the collection. Taken in deep water as far south as New Jersey, but not previously recorded from 
inshore waters south of Maine. Fishermen claim that they sometimes catch these fish in traps very 
late in fall at Provincetown. 
COTTIDiE. The Sculpins. 
167. Acanthocottus aeneus (Mitchill). Little Sculpin ; Grubby. (* t §) 
Very common. Remains during entire year, and is the only sculpin found during summer. In 
winter from 10 to 50 are caught daily in fyke nets set in harbor. The fish is then in a spawning- 
condition, and the eggs adhere to the twine. The maximum size of the fish is 5 inches. 
168. Acanthocottus octodecimspinosus (Mitchill). Eighteen-spined Sculpin ; “Sculpin.” (* f) 
First appear about October 1, become very abundant by October 15, and remain until December 
or January. The spawning time is November and December; the eggs often come ashore by bucket- 
fuls on Nobska Beach. 
169. Acanthocottus grcenlandicus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Daddy Sculpin ; “Sculpin.” (* t) 
The foregoing remarks apply equally well to this species. 
170. Hemitripterus americanus (Gmelin). Sea-raven; “Red Sculpin.” (* t) 
Common in October and November. Usual length about 16 inches. Young are rarely seen. 
CYCLOPTERIDiE. The Lump-Suckers. 
171. Cyclopterus lumpus Linnaeus. * “Lumpfish.” (* t §) 
Adults common in April; a few in May. Young are taken throughout the summer in Vineyard 
Sound among driftweed. Spawning occurs in April. 
LIPARIDIDiE. The Sea-Snails. 
172. Neoliparis montagui (Donovan). Sea-snail. (*) 
Apparently not common in the shallow waters reached by the collecting seine. No specimens in 
local collection. 
173. Liparis liparis (Cuvier). Sea-snail; “Sucker.” (* t) 
Common in the winter on rocky bottom. Found full of spawn in December and January. 
GOBIID1E. The Gobies. 
174. Gobiosoma bosci (Lac^phde). Goby. (* t) 
Common in Buzzards Bay. Taken in seine at Quisset Harbor throughout the summer. 
BATRACHOIDIDiE. The Toad-Fishes. 
175. Opsanus tau (Linnaeus). “Toadfish”; “ Toad-grunter.” (* t) 
Common under stones in ponds and harbors. Spawns in June, the eggs being attached to the 
under side of stones. Maximum weight about a pound. 
