4. CniRONEMTTS. 77 



head. I cannot detect any scales on the cheek. The margin of the 

 praeopercuhim is rounded, and witliout any denticulations whatever. 

 The operculum terminates in two rather prominent points ; the sub- 

 operculum is produced into a flap, w^hich overreaches the lower oper- 

 cular spine. The suprascaj^ula has no sorrature. 



The dorsal fin begins vertically above the opercular spine, and 

 terminates at a shoi't distance from the caudal. There is a deep notch 

 >)etween the two portions of the fin ; the length of the base of the soft 

 is rather shorter than that of the spinous, and both can be received 

 in a low scaly groove. The margin of the spinous portion is convex, 

 that of the soft straight and descending obliquely backwards. The 

 spines are rather strong : the length of the fii'st is three-fifths of the 

 second ; the following gradually become longer to the fifth, which is 

 more than one-third of the length of the head. The posterior spines 

 gradually decrease in length to the fourteenth, which equals the 

 second ; the fifteenth, belonging to the soft portion, is, again, some- 

 what longer. The anterior portion of the soft dorsal is highest, the 

 first two rays being a little longer than the fifth spine. The caudal 

 is truncated, and about one-seventh of the total length. The anal is 

 veiy short and elevated : the first spine corresponds to the fifth dorsal 

 ray, and is one-half the length of the second spine; the second is rather 

 stronger, but not longer than the third, and one-third of the length 

 of the head. The first and second rays are much longer than any of 

 the dorsal fin, and 1^ in the length of the head ; the following rays 

 diminish in length. The pectoral is rounded, and composed of nine 

 branched rays and six simple ones ; the latter project considerably 

 beyond the margin of the fin, and the membrane between them is 

 veiy deeply notched. The ventral is inserted much more backwards, 

 and its base corresponds to the eighth dorsal spine ; the spine is 

 about two-thirds the length of the adjacent ray ; the entire length 

 of the fin is about one-seventh of the total. 



The scales are cycloid, of moderate size, and rather irregularlj' 

 arranged. The lateral line is inconspicuous, and runs in a nearly 

 straight line. 



The teeth in the jaws form broad villiform bands ; the vomerine 

 band is much narrower, and bent at an obtuse angle. The pharyn- 

 geal teeth are obtuse, cardiform, and form large rounded patches. 



The head and bodj^ are now yellowish, largely marbled with dark 

 brown ; the spinous dorsal is blackish ; all the other fins are spotted 

 with brown. 



inches, lines. 



Total length 8 4 



Height of the body 2 1 



Length of the head 2 1 



Diameter of the eye 6 



Length of the fifth dorsal spine 9 



— of the second anal spine 8 



of the second anal ray 1 3 



of the upper simple pectoral ray . . 1 11 



of the adjacent branched ray .... 1 7 



