:^'H 



THE FKE8II-WATEU FISHES OF FUKOPE 



wart-like tubercles, of which the three anterior are in advance of the barbels. 

 The Ijarbels are rather compressed, and frino^ed at their ends. The upper lip is 

 small, and slightly notched, and the thickened under lip is quite divided in the 

 middle {Fig. 1S2). 



The eyes are relatively lary-e, and the breadth of Ihe frontal interspace is 



>\ \ 



' 7 .!. '/ 



181. — ACIl'EXSEH GMELIM, HEAD 

 SEEN FROM AliOVE. 



Fig. 182. ACIPENSEK GMELINI, HEAD 



SEEN FROM BELOW. 



three times the orbital diameter. The lower nasal aperture is larg-er than the 

 u])per. 



There are fourteen dorsal shields, each, with a wide heart-shaped or triaug'u- 

 lar base, except the last, which, though long, is the smallest. Each has a 

 smooth, sharp medium edge, which ends in a short pointed hook. The lateral 

 row consists of sixty-two narrow shields, which are feebly keeled, have a long 

 lozenge shape, and are notched posteriorly with comb-like denticulations. 

 The ventral shields number thirteen to lifteen ; they are very small, but keeled. 



There are two or three little star-shaped flat scutes between the anal fin 

 and the vent, and the skin between the rows of shields is covered with denticu- 

 lated bony scales, like those of the Sterlet, only larger. 



The stronyly-devclopi'd pecioral fin is nearly as lou^' astlu' head. The anal 



