328 POLYNEMlDJi. 



series of smtill scales ascends behind each spine. The distance bi - 

 tween the two dorsals is shorter than the base of the second, which 

 is entirely covered with scales and has the upper margin crescentic ; 

 the second and third rays are the longest, rather higher than the 

 spinous dorsal, and three times as long as the posterior rays, except 

 the last, which is, again, somewhat elongate. The distance between 

 this fin and the caudal is one-fifth of the total length. The caudal 

 fin is entirely covered with scales, deeply forked, with the lobes 

 pointed, the upper of which is somewhat the longer, and Sj in the 

 total length. The distance between the caudal and anal fins is rather 

 less than that between the caudal and dorsal, as the extremity of the 

 anal falls behind that of the dorsal, and in the vertical from the fortj'- 

 eixth scale of the lateral line ; its origin corresponds to the foiu'th 

 dorsal ray. It is entirely covered with scales, and has the lower 

 margin crescentic. Only two spines are visible, the second being less 

 than one-half the length of the adjacent ray ; the first and second 

 rays are the longest, and more than tvsdce as long as the tenth, the 

 eleventh being, again, slightly elongate. The length of iha i^ectoral 

 is 65 in the total ; its basal third is covered with minute scales. 

 The uppermost of the pectoral appendages is the longest, reaching 

 slightly beyond the tip of the ventral. The root of the ventral falls 

 behind the middle of the pectoral, in a vertical from the eleventh 

 scale of the lateral line ; it is short, one-eighth of the total length, 

 and reaches a little beyond the vent ; its spine is about one-half the 

 length of the adjacent ray. 



The scales are rather small, about as high as long, and have the 

 posterior margin minutely ciliated ; their free portion is covered with 

 minute spines, arranged in radiating series. The lateral line is 

 straight to the root of the caudal, over which it extends in a down- 

 ward, slightly oblique direction to a little beneath the notch. 



The teeth are minute and villiform ; those of the vomer form a 

 narrow transverse band ; the band on the palatine bones is cunei- 

 form, broadest anteriorly. 



The head and body are sUvery, the latter with brown longitudinal 

 lines, each running along the meeting of two series of scales ; those 

 above the lateral line are very distinct, those below less so, dis- 

 appearing altogether on the belly. The fins are more or less dotted 

 with black ; the margins of the anal and ventral fins are white. 



inches, lines. 



Total length 8 1 



Height of the body 1 11 



of the tail beneath the end of the 



anal 1 "2, 



Length of the head 1 9 



Distance between the ventral and anal . . 1 3 



between the caiidal and dorsal . . 1 7 



between the eyes 6 



Diameter of the eye 5| 



Length of the upper maxillary 9| 



