190 Parker's silurus. 



sists of a strong and slightly incurvated bout^ fs^no, 

 with a rough granular surface and a serratea con- 

 cave edge; the sharp apices of these spines lorm 

 powerful weapons of offence and defence for voa 

 naked body of the fish. The pectoral spme w a 

 little more curved than that of the dorsal fin • aJl of 

 these spines are moveable, apparently by means of 

 strong muscles. The length of the dorsal spme is 

 six inches and a half, that of the pectoral spmes 

 nearly six inches. Besides its bony spine, there are 

 seven rays in the first dorsal fin ; but there are no 

 rays in the second, which is adipose, but not very 

 thick. Tlie number of rays in each pectoral fin, 

 exclusive of the spine, is eleven. Tlie two ventral 

 fins are three inches apart, and each of them seems 

 to have six rays. The ventral and anal fins have a 

 deep red colour in the recent fish ; the latter 'nas 

 eighteen rays. The tail is deeply forked, and 'nas 

 thirty rays. The lateral line is shghtly waved; 

 the air-bladder lies below the heart-shaped "bony 

 shield, and is attached to the first vertebra." It was 

 named by Dr. Trail in honour of Charles S. Parser, 

 Esq. of Liverpool. 



