482 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
on the bottom, the fry were taken in 56 bottom collections and in only 3 surface 
ones. It seems evident from the results of collecting that the fry, if hatched from 
floating eggs (which is probable, as the other species of sole occurring locally, as 
well as one or more European species, are known to produce pelagic eggs), resort to 
the bottom at a very early age, as the great majority of the numerous specimens 
taken there are less than 7 millimeters long. 
It may be concluded from the foregoing discussion, therefore, that the small 
fry locally occur almost entirely out at sea, where spawning no doubt takes place, 
and that the larvae, like the adults, dwell almost exclusively on the bottom. 
GROWTH 
Insufficient specimens were taken to show the rate of growth, as individuals 
from about 10 to 75 millimeters in length are sparingly represented in the collections. 
We have several specimens, however, which evidently belong to the O class, taken 
in January, February, and March, when about 6 to 9 months old, ranging from 34 to 
68 millimeters in length. It is believed that these specimens probably are repre- 
sentatives of the larger fish of the O class. If that be true, the rate of growth is 
not very rapid. 
MONACANTHUS HISPIDUS (Linnaeus). Foolfish 
The foolfish is known from Nova Scotia to Brazil, and it is recorded also from 
the Canaries and Madeira in the eastern Atlantic. It is rather rare on the American 
coast north of Cape Cod and common southward. It is common at Beaufort during 
the summer, but certainly not abundant. During the winter it has not been seen. 
It is principally pelagic in its habits, living chiefly among plant growth along the 
shores and among floating plants and debris at sea. 
Color simulation is highly developed, for the fish are bright green when found 
among vegetation of that color, or brownish if that happens to be the color of the 
plants among which the fish are taken, and so forth. The fish probably has need of 
the protection it derives from color simulation, as it is a sluggish fish and a poor 
swimmer. When caught in a net it makes no effort to escape, and not infrequent^ 
it even fails to swim away for some time after the net is removed. This seems so 
foolish to the fishermen that they have named this species, as well as its relatives 
which behave similarly, foolfish. 
This foolfish is recognized by its short, deep body; in the adult the depth at the 
vertical from the vent generally being contained less than two times in the length 
of the body. It has a rough, spiny skin; a single high dorsal spine with barbs; and 
a rough ventral spine, beyond which a skinny, ventral flap does not extend, as in 
a related species. The foolfish is of no direct economic importance, as it is not eaten 
and its value indirectly, as food for commercial species, probably is slight. The 
literature|contains very little information concerning the life history of this fish. 
SPAWNING 
The eggs of the foolfish have not been taken, or if so, they have not been recog- 
nized. Neither have fish with large roe been observed. In fact, few individuals 
exceeding a length of about 5 to 6 inches have been caught, although this fish is said 
to reach a length of 10 inches. The rather small individuals, commonly taken 
locally, probably are sexually immature. All that has been learned during the pres- 
