68 



BAllD/E. 



tail included, is thus described by Dr. Parnell : — " Body 

 rliomboidal, the transverse diameter equalling the distance 

 between the point of the snout and the last tubercle but 

 three on the central ridge of the tail ; from the point of the 

 snout to the temporal orifice, rather more than one third the 

 length as far as the end of the anal fin, and one fourth the 

 length as far as the termination of the first dorsal. Body 

 very thin ; snout pointed, conical ; pectorals large, somewhat 

 of a triangular form, uniting in front at the snout, and ter- 

 minating at the base of the ventrals ; the anterior margin 

 rather concave, the posterior margin rounded ; ventrals 

 about three times the length of their breadth ; anals 

 commencing close behind the ventrals, and terminating in 

 a free point; rounded at the outer margins. Tail sliort 

 and firm, being no longer than the distance from the 

 base of the anal fin to the anterior margin of the orbit ; 

 along the mesial line is a line of tubercles with sliarp points 

 directed downwards, about eighteen in number, commencing 

 at the base of the anal, and terminating at the commence- 

 ment of the first dorsal fin ; no lateral spines visible. First 

 dorsal fin small, rounded at the free extremity ; situated 

 about one third of the length of the tail from the tip: the 

 base of the fin about equalling the length : second dorsal 

 rather smaller than the first, and about the same form, placed 

 about half-way between the termination of the first and the 

 tip of the tail ; caudal fin rudimentary. Colour of the upper 

 surface of the body of a dark olive green, with numerous 

 white spots ; on the under surface dark grey, with minute 

 specks of a deeper colour. Eyes rather small, flattened 

 above, placed in front of the temporal orifices ; skin both 

 above and below perfectly smooth ; a strong, sharp, bent 

 spine in' front of each orbit ; no spine or tubercles of any 

 description on the back. Mouth large, placed beneath ; 

 teeth small, not so large or so sharp as those in Rata balia. 



