158 DISCOBOLI. 



the middle of the interorbital space and along the base of the dorsal 

 fins. Other large plates occupy the side of the trunk ; the plates 

 below the eye and on the cheek are only one-fourth the size of those 

 on the body, and those on the tail are small. 

 Length of the specimen 6 inches. 



3. Cycloptems orbis. 



D. 7 I 9. A. 9. 



The anterior dorsal fin is very distinct, and not enveloped in thick 

 skin. Gill-opening reduced to a narrow foramen, situated on the 

 level of the eye. Head and body covered with large, conical, tuber- 

 cular plates. 



Esquimault Harbour (west coast of North America). 



a. Presented by Lord John Russell. 



This species is very similar to C. spinosus, from which it chiefly 

 differs in the number of the fin-rays. The head and body form one 

 orbicular mass, terminating posteriorly in the narrow and short tail. 

 The plates with which the skin is covered are very rough, tubercular, 

 conicaUy elevated in the centre. A series of large plates runs along 

 the upper orbital edge to the side of the back ; two series of smaller 

 ones run along the middle of the interorbital space and along the base 

 of the dorsal fins. Other large plates occupy the middle of the sides 

 and the lateral part of the belly ; the plates on the side of the head, 

 before the pectoral, are only half as large as those described, and 

 those on the tail are small. The mouth is transverse, not extending 

 on to the side of the head. The eye is about one-third of the length 

 of the head, and one-half the greatest width of the interorbital space. 

 The ventral disk is shorter than the head, subcircular, entire, and 

 surrounded by fifteen flat papillae. The caudal fin is of moderate 

 length, rounded, and composed of nine simple rays. Vent nearer to 

 the ventral disk than to the anal fin. 



This description is taken from a single, apparently young speci- 

 men, 22 lines in length. 



Second Group. LIPARIDINA. 



Only one genus, 



2. LIPARIS. 



Liparis, Artedi, Syn. p. 117 ; Cuv. Regne Anim. 

 Body subcylindrical anteriorly, compressed posteriorly, rather 

 elongate, enveloped in a more or less loose naked skin. Head broad, 

 obtuse ; snout rather short. The infraorbital bone styliform pos- 

 teriorly, extending backwards to the margin of the prajopcrculum*. 



* This was first observed by Pallas, who says of Liparis callyodon, " A 

 maxilla superiore utrinque processus sub cute tenuis, osseus, quasi zygoma, per 

 discum operculorum." 



