24 



PIPER. 



twenty inches in length, measured thirteen inches in girth 

 where thickest. Head flat on the top, slanting suddenly from 

 before the eyes, and advancing again to form a double pro- 

 jection, flat and toothed, of considerable length; eyes large, 

 high on the side of the head, a wide space between them, 

 distinct spines immediately encircling them above; under jaw 

 shortest; teeth numerous, small, a few in the palate. The 

 cheeks covered with rough stellated lines; head well armed; 

 the gill-covers with a strong spine; another, somewhat smaller, 

 behind the head, and a very long triangular spine, the longest 

 on the body, above the pectoral fin; the dorsal ridge, bordering 

 the dorsal fins on each side, formed of elevated flattened spines, 

 their points directed backward. Pectoral fin wide, reaching 

 to the vent; tail very slightly lunated; ventral fins long and 

 wide. Slight scales over the body. Colour of the head, back, 

 and sides brilliant pink or scarlet, faint and nearly white on 

 the belly. Pectoral fins, the dorsals, and tail more or less 

 red; ventrals and anal tinged with red. 



Fin rays pectoral eleven, first dorsal eight, second dorsal 

 thirteen, anal seventeen, ventral six. The two last rays of 

 the anal fin are joined to one root; but examples vary in this 

 respect, as well in this species as in the others of this genus. 



