134 DRUMMOND'S ECHIODON. 



dentatum is described as having in each jaw "deux dents en 

 crochets," but no further details are given: in this only 

 character, however, he judges that the 0. dentatum differs 

 from the present species, which had four large hooked teeth 

 in the upper, and two in the under jaw. This specimen was 

 found dead on the beach at Carnlough, in the county of 

 Antrim, by Dr. Drummond, in the month of June thrown 

 on shore probably by a strong easterly wind. 



The length of this example was eleven inches; and the 

 greatest depth, which was at one inch and four lines from 

 the snout, was six lines, behind which it became gradually 

 narrower and thinner to the tail. The head was one inch 

 and two lines long the profile sloping forward equally on both 

 sides to the snout, which is truncated and projects beyond 

 the lower jaw, and is narrow; compressed at the sides, and 

 rather flat above from the eyes backward; from the eyes 

 forward a central bony ridge; a few large punctures extend 

 from the snout below the eye, and are continued just behind 

 it; a series of small ones closely arranged extend from the 

 upper portion of the eye in a curved form posteriorly to near 

 the edge of the preopercle, and thence in a double row 

 extends downwards. Nostrils very large, oval, transverse, a 

 little in advance of the eye. Eye large, occupying the entire 

 upper half of the depth of the head; wider than high, its 

 distance from the snout equal to its diameter; operculum 

 terminating above in a minute point directed backward, and 

 strongly radiated. Mouth cleft a little obliquely. Two large 

 strong teeth placed close together, and curving inwards at 

 each side of the extremity of the upper jaw, the two inmost 

 a little separate. In the lower jaw one slender rounded tooth 

 on each side, curving outward at the base and inward at the 

 point. The upper and lower jaw, and vomer, thickly covered 

 with small bluntish teeth; a series of such teeth on the bones 

 of the palate; those of the upper jaw exposed to view when 

 the mouth is closed. On the dorsal ridge is a short stout 

 spine, the point of which alone is uncovered with the skin. 

 Lateral line scarcely perceptible. Vent one inch and three 

 lines from the end of the lower jaw. The dorsal fin begins 

 at one inch and six lines from the snout; low at first, but 

 becoming wider as it draws near the caudal fin, which it 



