6. TRACHINUS. 235 



length ; the former becomes graduaUy wider towards the posterior 

 extremity, which is truncated. The hind margin of the latter is flat 

 and transparent ; its posterior process is of moderate length. The 

 mandibuk has no distinct muciferons channel or pores, and the 

 space between the articular and dentary bones is nearly entii-ely 

 closed. The two pra;oporciilar limbs meet at a right angle, the in- 

 ferior bemg shorter than the posterior ; the interior ridge of the 

 bone IS slightly elevated, mthout a distinct muciferous channel ; there 

 IS a free process at the upper extremity of the posterior limb, pointing 

 foi-wards towards the infraorbital ring. The operculum is armed 

 with a strong, straight spine ; the sub- and interoperculum have a 

 membranaceous margin. There are neither ridges nor grooves on the 

 upper surface of the head ; the crown is broad, and slightly rounded 

 on the sides ; the space between tlie orbits is narrow and somewhat 

 concave ; the prefrontal is armed with two or three small spines 

 The infraorbital ring is narrow, but soUd, aU the bones being of 

 nearly equal mdth, and firmly grown together. 



The suprascapula is fii-mly joined to the skull, and has, Hke the 

 scapula, the upper margin finely serrated. The humeral has a very 

 feeble process for the junction with the scapida ; the axis of the re- 

 raamder of the bone is straight, and situated in an obHque dii-ection. 

 The ulna is joined to the humerus by two processes, which have a 

 wide opening between them ; there is a second opening between the 

 upper process and the radius. 



There are eleven abdominal and thii-ty-one caudal vertehrce, the 

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

 the latter as 1 : 3-6 ; the vertebras are moderately long and broad ; the 

 ribs, the neural, haemal, intemeural and interhajmal spines are feeble; 

 the anterior interhasmals are composed of three distinct lameUa • 

 those of the fii'st four anal rays have the same situation as in Tr. 

 vipera and araneits. 



2. Trachinus araneus. 



Draco major, Salv. fol. 71 ; Willuyhhi/, tab. S. 10. f. 1, 2. 

 Araneus tertius, Aldrov. p. 259. 

 Aranei species altera, Wilhif/hhij, p. 289. 



Trachinus lineatus, Risso, Ichih. Nice, p. 109, and Iltir. Merid. iii. 

 p. 2G0 (not Sc/ineid. nor L'e hi Roche). 



araneus, Cue. iy Vul. iii. p. 2-18 ; Martens, Reise nach Vencdig, ii. 



p. 430. 

 Skeleton : Agass. Poiss. Foss. iv. p. 195. pi. E. 



D. 7 I 28. A. 31. Vert. 10/29. 

 Two small spines above the anterior angle of the orbit. Prse- 

 orbital with an obtuse anterior point. The height of the body is 5^^ 

 in the total length. Six or seven black blotches on the sides below 

 the lateral line ; the spinous dorsal black. 

 Mediterranean. 



a. Half-grown: skin. Rinc patria. From Mr. Yarrcll's Collection. 



