236 DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIMEN 



rough, but without spines, not capable of inflation ; dorsal and 

 anal fins high and pointed, uniting with the caudal." 



Two species of Orthagoriscus are described to inhabit the 

 British seas, Or. mola and Or. ohlonga. Lacepede, however, 

 asserts, that there is no specific distinction between them, 

 and Gmelin makes the Or. ohlonga, a mere variety of the 

 Orthagoriscus mola. 



The colour of the specimen, the subject of the present 

 communication, when recent, was dusky grey upon the back, 

 speckled with silvery white upon the sides ; belly silvery. 



The cuticle was very rough, with innumerable minute 

 prickles ; these were largest and most prominent about the 

 lips and upon the head. 



It weighed one hundred and ninety-six pounds. 



It measured 4 feet in length ; its greatest depth was 2 feet 

 4 inches, and its greatest thickness near the head, 14 inches. 



The dorsal and abdominal edges were sharp and keel- 

 shaped ; a transverse depressed line appeared to mark the 

 distinction between the body and the caudal portion. 



The dorsal and anal fins are opposite each other ; each is 

 19 J inches long, and 9 inches broad, at the base. 



The pectoral fin on right side is larger than on left, mea- 

 suring 7 inches in longest diameter, which is diagonally firom 

 above downwards and backwards. 



From the centre of the pupil to the angle of the mouth, 

 Q\ inches, and fi-om centre of pupil to anterior edge of bran- 

 chial aperture, 6j inches. 



The vent is 4 inches anterior to anal fin, and an inch be- 

 hind the vent is the external opening of the urinary organs. 



Numher of Fin-Rays. 

 Pectoral, 13 ; Ventral, 16 ; Dorsal, 18. 



These measurements were all made and noted down before 

 the animal had been skinned. The dissection was performed 

 by Mr. Glennon, superintended and assisted by T. Dixon, 

 Esq., Dr. Gilgeons, and myself. The mouth is small, con- 

 sists of two lips, and two solid, undivided, bony jaws, the upper 

 having a groove to receive the under; their edges are jagged 

 and sharp. I^he gape of the mouth is 2 inches, its width 

 3| inches. 



Above the mouth is a moveable proboscis which projects 

 an inch beyond the upper lip ; its point is protected by a bony 

 scale convex anteriorly, and resembling the common limpet- 

 shell. 



