990 FISHES—COTTID 2A. 
in other species of similar range, the inhabitants of each stream, or of each river-basin, 
may show local peculiarities. A number of these forms have received from Dr. Girard 
specific names, which are accompanied by detailed descriptions. Large collections of 
these fishes reveal the fact that numerous other ‘‘species” still exist undescribed, as it 
is a rare thing to find a specimen which exactly agrees in all respects with any of the 
species in Dr, Girard’s ‘‘ Monograph of the Fresh-Water Cottoids.” The following forms, 
of all of which the writer bas specimens, may possibly be recognized as ‘‘ varieties,” 
but of their complete intergradation we have no doubt. 
Var. richardsom (Ag.) is rather slender, with the vent rather more posterior than usual, 
placed midway between the snout and the tip of the caudal; in the others it is nearly 
midway between the snout and middle of caudal. Wisconsin to Lake Superior, 
Var. bairdt (Girard) is small and slender, with the spinous dorsal very low, and the 
palatine teeth less developed than in the other forms. Cayuga Lake, N. Y., to Ohio. 
Var. wilsoni (Grd.) is rather stcuter, with stronger palatine teeth, and with some of 
the uppermost of the pectoral rays bifurcate, they being entire in the others. Ohio 
Valley, Penusyivania, and Indiana. 
Var. alvordi (Grd.) is short and chubby, with the first dorsal rather high and joined 
by membrane to the second more than in other forms. Common in Wisconsin and 
Michigan. 
Var. meridionalis (Grd.) is rather robust, with the dorsal fins scarcely connected, and 
the mouth rather larger, the maxillary extending to opposite posterior border of eye ; 
the preopercular spine is sharp and directed well upward. Pennsylvania to North 
Carolina, along the Alleghanies; abundant. 
Var. zophera (Jor.) is slender and very dark in color, and more conspicuously varie- 
gated; the paiatine teeth well developed. Alabama River. 
Var. caroline (Gill) is a very large form, rather robust, reaching a era of nearly 
six inches, without axillary prickles, and with the palatine teeth well developed. The 
lateral line, as in the other forms, is sometimes continuous and sometimes interrupted. 
It abounds in the limestone region from Indiana to Tennessee, and is frequently found 
in caves and under railroad culverts, 
The following interesting account of the habits of this species is from 
the pen of Prof. S. H. Gage, of Cornell University. He terms the fish 
the “‘Cuyuga Lake Star Gazer.” 
‘¢This curious little fish Uranidea bairdi, which, when it is full grown, is only about 
as long as one’s middle finger, justly merits its name, asits eyes are directly on top of its 
head. Its sait water cousin is the Sea Robin or the Gurnard, which it resembles in 
_ having very large pectoral fins placed close to the broad head. These fins are so large, 
and the head so broad that the fish looks as if it were nearly all head and pectoral fins. 
The Star Gazer is so peculiar in form and habits, that in nearly every locality a special 
name has been given it, The fishermen of Cayuga Lake call it the ‘‘stone fish,” as itis 
found almost exclusively under stones. In the northern part of the State it is called a 
‘(flying fish,” from its rapid movements, and in England it is called the ‘millers 
thumb,” from the supposed resemblance of its broad, flat head to a miller’s thumb. 
“The Eurvpean Star Gazer ( Uranidea gobeo) was known to that pioneer in all human 
knowledge, Aristotle, who called it Kottus, whence the modern scientific name Cottus. 
