ACANTHOPTERYGII. 197 



very small tail, terminated by a common fin. The tube of the snout 

 is shorter, thicker, and compressed; natatory bladder very large. 

 But a single species is known; from the Indian Ocean. (1) 



CentriscuSj Lin. (2) 



In addition to the tubular snout of the family, the fishes of this 

 genus have an oval or oblong (not elongated) body, compressed on 

 the side, and trenchant beneath; branchiae composed of but two or 

 three slender rays; a first spinal dorsal and small ventrals behind the 

 pectorals. The mouth is very small, and cleft obliquely; the intes- 

 tine without cseca, doubled three or four times, and the natatory 

 bladder considerable. In 



Centriscus, properly so called, 



The first spine of the anterior dorsal, which is placed very far 

 back, is long and stout, and supported by an apparatus connected 

 with the head and shoulder. They are covered with small scales, 

 and have, besides, some broad and dentated plates on the apparatus 

 just mentioned. 



C. scolopax, L.; Bl., 123.(3) A very common species in the 

 Mediterranean, but a few inches long and of a silvery colour. 



Amphisile, Klein. 



The back mailed with broad scaly plates, of which the anterior 

 spine of the first dorsal seems to be a continuation. 



Some of them even have other scaly plates on the flanks, and the 

 spine in question placed so far behind that it thrusts the second 

 dorsal and anal towards the lower part of the tail. Such is the 

 Centriscus scutatus, L., Bl., 123, 2. 



Others are intermediate between this disposition and that of a com- 

 mon Centriscus. Their cuirass covers but the half of the back, 

 Centriscus velitaris, Pall., Spic, VIII, iv, 8. Both these species are 

 from the Indian Ocean. 



(1) Fistularia chinensis, Hi., 388. ' 



(2) Centriscus, from xsvtb?. 



(3) It is also the Silurus cornuius, Forsk.,the Maawamphose, Lac- 



