268 ORDER ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



But a single species is known ; from the Indian 

 Ocean l . 



Centriscus, Lin. 



In addition to the tubular snout of the family, they 

 have a body not elongated, but oval or oblong, com- 

 pressed on the sides, and trenchant underneath ; gills 

 consisting of but two or three slender rays ; a first 

 dorsal spinous, and small ventrals behind the pectorals. 

 The mouth is very small, and cleft obliquely ; the in- 

 testine without cceca, doubled three or four times, and 

 the natatory bladder considerable. In 



Centriscus, (properly so called,) 



The anterior dorsal, situated very much behind, has 

 its first spine long and stout, supported by an appa- 

 ratus connected with the head and shoulder. They 

 are covered with small scales, and have, besides, some 

 broad and denticulated plates on the apparatus just 

 mentioned. 



C. scolopax, L. Bl. 123. (Sea-snipe.) A very com- 

 mon species in the Mediterranean, but a few inches 

 long, and of a silvery colour. It is also the Silurus 

 cormitus, Forsk., the Macroramphose, Lacep. 



Amphisile, Klein. 



The back mailed with broad scaly plates, of which the 

 anterior spine of the first dorsal seems to be a con- 

 tinuation. 



1 Fistularia chinensis, Bl. 388. 



