420 yEWFL'^HES FROM FJCIFIC OCEAX— GILBERT .V CRAMER, vol. xix 



thin, recurved spines. One pair of plates between occiput and origin 

 of first dorsal, tlieir s])ines smaller than the following;- ones; 30 plates 

 in the dorsal series, their spines nearly obsolete on the caudal peduncle. 

 The sujierior lateral series with 34 plates, of which the 4 or 5 anterior 

 ones are smaller, with smaller spines, and forming a docnrved line 

 from upper angle of opercle. IJeginning with the ftfth, the plates 

 larger, with the largest spines on the body. Those of the succeeding 

 l^lates decreasing regularly backward. The pores of the lateral line 

 open below and behind the spines of this series. A space l)eliind pec- 

 torals naked; behind this, about at the beginning of the distal third of 

 pectoral fin begins the inferior lateral series of 25 plates. Twenty-six 

 plates in the ventral series, the foremost pair about twice as long as 

 wide, their length about five-sevenths of depth of body. Two pairs 

 of plates of this series in front of vent, the spines of this series mostly 

 weak, obsolete behind. 



Greatest width of head about ;> to 3.1 in length of body (from tip of 

 premaxillaries). Edge of suborbital ridge slightly denticulate without 

 spines or prominent lobes laterally, terminating behind in a long, slen- 

 der spine about as long as preorbital projection. Above this are 

 smaller spines, varying in numl)er from one to three. Opercle with 

 one moderate ridge ending in a small spine and above this another 

 nearly obsolete ridge without spine. Preorbital projection triangular, 

 rounded at tip, about equal to interorbital space, 3^ in distance from 

 tip of projection to front of orbit. Orbit 4 in head. Interorbital space 

 concave, about 5 in head, with two slight longitudinal ridges diverg 

 ing backward to base of snpraocular spine, thence downward and 

 outward behind orbit continuous with the slight paroccipital ridge, 

 which ends in a small vspine. Supraocular spines short, mostly blunt, 

 occipital spines larger, compressed, rather sharp. Width of mouth 

 about 2i in head; distance from tip of lower Jaw to tip of premaxillaries 

 nearly ecpial to interorbital space, posterior angle of lower Jaw reach- 

 ing beyond anterior third of orbit. The jaw armed on the outer side 

 posteriorly with two llat, finely spinulous plates. Two similar i)lates 

 behind angle of jaw. Teeth none. Seven small barbels at each side 

 of Jaw anteriorly and two on its inner side close together and farther 

 back. The large l)arbel, reaching to or beyond vent, jirovided on its 

 anterior margin with a fringe of smaller barbels. The longest gill 

 rakers about 4 in orbit. Ventrals reaching vent. Pectorals reaching 

 beyond origin of anal, the upper free ray nearly as long as longest 

 X)e(;toral ray. 



Color {in nlcohol). — Head somewhat dusky; first dorsal, pectorals, 

 and ventrals blackish, paler at base; axils dusky; second dorsal with 

 a narrow bla(;k edge anteriorly. Peritoneum black. Length 7 inches. 

 In a young specimen the dark coloring more marked, the distal half of 

 the long barbel blackish, the spines sharper; edge of suborbital ridge 

 with two small but marked triangular projections on the lines of 



