1. CYCtOPTERUS. 157 



above the orbit ; it is completed by the prefrontal, which emits a 

 flat horizontal process joining the principal frontal. The anterior 

 portion of the infraorbital ring is well developed, and appears to be 

 membranaceous posteriorly. The maxillary is not dilated ; the in- 

 termaxillary has the posterior processes of moderate length. The 

 humerus is long, and composed of two broad lamellae ; the pectoral 

 rays are joined to a long series of six carpal bones, the series ex- 

 tending nearly to the lower end of the humerus. Each pubic bone 

 has three processes : an anterior very broad one, for the attachment 

 to the humerus ; a second anterior slender one, for a symphysis with 

 its fellow ; and an upper one, of triangular shape, for the attachment 

 of the ventral muscles. Each pubic bone is concave inferiorly, and 

 the ventral spine and rays are fastened on the margin of the con- 

 cavity, each emitting a process inwards. 



There are thirteen abdominal and fifteen caudal vertebra^, the 

 length of the former portion of the vertebral column being to that of 

 the latter as 1:1-4. The haemal, neural, interhaemal and interneural 

 spines are of moderate length. The last vertebrae are considerably 

 shortened ; only the last abdominal and the first caudal vertebrae 

 have short and feeble ribs attached to their neural spines. 



2. Cyclopterus spinosus. 



Cyclopterus spinosus, 3Iifll. Prodr. p, ix ; Fahr. Faun. Gronl. p. 134, 

 and in Nahirh. Selsk. Skr. Kjohmh. iv. p. 27. tab. 9. fig. 2 ; Bl. Schn. 

 p. 198. tab. 46 ; Cm. Rei/ne. Anim. ; Fabcr, Fkclie. Isl. p. 5.3 ; 

 Kroyer, Naturh. Tidskr. ii. 1847, p. 262 ; Gaim. Voy. Scand. Potss. 

 pi. 4. fig. 2. 



D. 6-7 I 11-12. A. 10-11. 



The anterior dorsal fin very distinct, not enveloped in thick skin. 

 GUI-opening reduced to a narrow foramen, situated on the level of 

 the eye. Head and body covered with large conical plates, each with 

 a spine in the centre. 



Coasts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spitzbergen. 



a. Fine specimen. Greenland. 



The head and body form one suborbicular, slightly compressed 

 mass, highest below the anterior dorsal fin, and terminating in a 

 short and narrow taU. The plates with which the skin is covered 

 are studded with small tubercles, roundish, and conically elevated in 

 the centre. The cleft of the mouth is of moderate width, extending 

 backwards to the vertical from the margin of the orbit. Both jaws 

 are armed with a narrow band of minute teeth. The e}'e is situated 

 immediately below the upper profile, one-fom-th of the length of the 

 head, and less than one-half of the width of the intcrorbital space. 

 The origin of the anterior dorsal fin is in the vertical from the gill- 

 opening, and the interspace beween the two dorsal fins is equal to the 

 length of the anterior. A series of large plates runs along the upper 

 orbital edge to the side of the back ; two other series, formed by 

 smaller plates anteriorly and by larger ones posteriorly, run along 



