190 XRIOLID^. 



orange-coloured, with broad brown bands ; the first dorsal ^vith a 

 broad oblique blackish band, the rays of the other fins dotted Avith 

 brown. (Bl.) 



Sea of Manado (Celebes). 



28. Platycephalus asper. 



Cuv. <^ Val. iv. p. 257. pi. 82 ; Fcaoi. Japon. Poiss. p. 40. pi. 16. f. 4, 5. 

 D. 1 1 8 I 11. A. 11. L. lat. 50. 



The length of the head is one-third of the total, and its width 

 between the prseopercular spines one-half of its length. The space 

 betM'een the eyes is an exceedingly narrow groove. The superciliary, 

 occipital, scapulary, and infraorbital ridges are finely seri'ated, but 

 that of the operculum is smooth. Tliree prseopercular spines, the 

 upper of which is the longest; a fourth, strong one pointing forwards. 

 Lateral line nearly smooth. Yellowish-brown, with brown dots on 

 the fins. 



Seas of Japan and China. 



a. Half-grown. China. Presented by Capt. Sir E. Belcher. 



b. Young. Chiua. Presented by Capt. Sir E. Belcher. 



29. Platycephalus spinosus. 



Temm. 8f Schler/. Faun. Japon. Poiss. p. 40. pi. 16, f. 1, 2 (not good) ; 

 Bleek. Verh. Bat. Gen. xxvi. Japan, p. 77. 



D. 1 I 8 I 12. A. 12. L. lat. 34-35 (40). 



The length of the head is 3i in the total, and its width 1|^ in its 

 length ; the width of the space between the eyes is one-third of 

 theii- diameter ; orbit without filament. Crown of the head with 

 many spines ; the ridge between the praeorbital and praeoperciilum 

 denticidated. Three praeopercular spines, the upper of which is 

 the longest; the anterior portion of the lateral Une spiny. The 

 ventral fins reach to the anal. Brownish-red, with fom* brown 

 cross-bars; the ventrals with blackish tips, anal Avhite, the other 

 fins dotted. 



Sea of Japan. 



41. HOPLICHTHYS. 

 Oplichthys, Cuv. ^ Val. iv. p. 266. 



Head broad, very depressed, with the snout produced and rounded 

 anteriorly, strongly armed, and with the upper sirface and sides 

 bony ; back and sides of the body covered with bony plates. Two 

 dorsals, the first much shorter than the second. No pectoral fila- 

 ments. Ventrals inserted a little before the pectorals. Minute 

 teeth in the jaws, on the vomer and the palatine bones. Air-bladder 

 none ; pseudobranchiae. 



Sea of Japan. 



