ACANTHOPTERYGII 



699 



The common Lump-Sucker of our coasts (Cyclopterus lumpus} 

 is the largest member of the group, growing to a length of 2 

 feet or more. The male makes pits in the sand between stones, 

 in which the female deposits the eggs ; he watches over the eggs 

 and also over the young, which cling to his body with their 

 suckers. The "Sea -Snails" (Liparis), are represented by two 

 species on the British coasts. 



FIG. 425. Cyclopterus lumpus. x J. 



Fam. 7. Platycephalidae. - - Head not cuirassed, much 

 depressed, with spines ; basis cranii simple ; two nostrils on each 

 side. Gill-membranes free ; gills 4 ; pseudobranchiae present. 

 Vertebrae 2 7 ; ribs all sessile, bearing the epipleurals. Post-tem- 

 poral forked ; scapula and coracoid well developed, in contact with 

 each other ; pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and on 4 short 

 and broad pterygials, 2 of which are in contact with the coracoid. 

 Ventral fins widely separated, behind the pectorals, with 1 

 spine and 5 soft rays. Spinous dorsal shorter than the soft ; 

 anal without spines. Body covered with small scales. 



The single genus Platycephalns, with some 40 species, 

 inhabits the coasts of the Indian Ocean and the Western 

 Pacific. 



Fam. 8. Hoplichthyidae. Head incompletely cuirassed, much 

 depressed, with spines ; basis cranii simple ; two nostrils on each 

 side. Gill-membranes attached to isthmus ; gills 4 ; pseudo- 

 branchiae present. Vertebrae about 30, the praecaudals with 

 transverse processes. Post-temporal fused with the skull ; scapula 

 and coracoid in contact with each other ; pectoral rays inserted on 

 the scapula and on 3 plate-like pterygials. Ventral fins widely 

 separated, a little before the pectorals, with 1 spine and 5 soft 



