BY WILLIAM MACLEAY, F.L.S., &0. 7l» 



Ctenodax "Wilkinsoni. 



D. 14/10. A. 1/10. L. lat. 90. L. tr. 7/U. 



The height of the body at the ventral fins is one-seventh of th© 

 total length ; the length of the head is nearly one-fourth of the 

 same. The form is elongate, very slightly compressed and tapering 

 towards the tail. The scales are closely adherent to the skin 

 and to one another, so that it is extremely difficult to separate 

 one for examination, but the drawing by Dr. von Lendenfeld 

 (fig. 5), gives a good idea of the general character of them. 

 Each scale has about eleven longitudinal ridges with 5 or 6 

 recumbent spines on each ridge ; laterally the scales overlap one 

 another as shown in fig. 6, but the free posterior edge of eaeh 

 only very slightly overlaps the one behind it. The scales in 

 the aggregate as shown in fig. 4, assume an appearance of being 

 square, with a multiplicity of parallel longitudinal lines 

 crossed at right angles by similar transverse lines. The spinous 

 dorsal fin, which commences over the middle of the ventrals is 

 composed of short, strong, isolated spines, connected at the base 

 only by a membrane ; the soft dorsal which is continuous with it, 

 is shorter and higher, and densely scaly. The anal fin is like the 

 soft dorsal, but is placed a little nearer the tail, the spine is 

 minute. The caudal fin is small and forked ; two very strong 

 keels or ridges on the tail converge towards the middle of the fork 

 of the fin. 



The pectoral fins are rather small, about twice the length of the 

 ventrals, which are placed close together. The eye is large, lateral, 

 much nearer to the upper than under surface of the head, and 

 slightly nearer the snout than the extremity of the operculum. 

 That and the preoperculum are unarmed and densely covered with 

 scales. The snout is rounded and without scales. The mouth is 

 oblique ; the maxillary extending to beneath the anterior margin 

 of the orbit. 



The teeth are in a single row, long, slender, and so packed 

 together as to resemble the solid teeth of the iScaridce, excepting 



