43. PRIONOTUS. 195 



triangular process posteriorly; the symphysis of the pubic bones 

 extends along the whole length of that process. The structure of 

 the pectoral appendages and their junction with the carpal bones 

 shows that they are merely detached pectoral rays. 



There are eleven abdominal and fifteen caudal vertehrce, the length 

 of the foi-mer portion of the vertebral column being to that of the 

 caudal as 1 : 1-75. The haemal, neural, &c., spines are feeble. 



4. Prionotus tribulus. 



Cuv. 8f Val. iv. p. 98. pi. 74 ; Dekmj, New York Fauna, Fishes, p. 48 

 pi. 70. f. 226 (bad). 



D. 10 I 12. A. 11. L. lat. 52. Vert. 11/15. 



The length of the head is rather more than one-third of the total ; 

 the space between the orbits is rather broad and concave, its width 

 being more than that of the eye. The prseorbital does not project 

 beyond the snout. Several small spines between the prasorbital and 

 the pra?opercular spine ; spines strong in the male. Pectoral ap- 

 pendages tapeiing ; the pectoral fin reaches to the vertical from the 

 eighth anal ray. The spinous dorsal with a black blotch between 

 the foui'th and sixth spines ; the soft with series of brown spots. 

 Back with two blackish spots at the base of the second dorsal, the 

 second of which descends to the lateral line. 



Southern coasts of the United States. 



a. Fine specimen. New Orleans. Purchased of Mr. Cuming. 

 h. Adult : skeleton. New Orleans. Purchased of Mr. Cuming. 

 c. Fine specimen. Lake Champlain. Purchased of M. Parzudaki. 

 d-f. Adult males. Texas. Purchased of Mr. Brandt. 

 g. Air-bladder of specimen h. 



The skeleton is extremely similar to that of Prionotus punctatus, 

 and differs from it in the following points only : — 



1. The second infraorbital of the lower series is nearly isoscelous, 

 and its spine is situated, not on the lower margin, but at some dis- 

 tance above it. 



2. The width between the orbits equals the length of the vertical 

 diameter of the orbit. 



5. Prionotus horrens. 



Richards, Voy. Sulph. Ichth. p. 79. t. 42. f. 1-3. 

 D. 10 I 11. A. 9 



Scales very small. The prseorbital does not project beyond the 

 snout. Spines of the head veiy strong, flat, triangular; the pectoral 

 reaches to, or slightly beyond, the origin of the anal. 



Coast of N.W. America. 



fl-c. Half-grown. Gulf of Fonseca (N.W. America). From the 

 Haslar Collection. — Types of the species. 



