6. TRACHINUS. 235 



length ; the former becomes gradually wider towards the posterior 

 extremity, which is truncated. The hind margin of the latter is flat 

 and transparent ; its posterior process is of moderate length. The 

 mandibula has no distinct mueiferous channel or pores, and the 

 space between the articular and dentary bones is nearly entirely 

 closed. The two prseoperciilar limbs meet at a right angle, the in- 

 ferior being shorter than the posterior ; the interior ridge of the 

 bone is slightly elevated, without a distinct mueiferous channel ; there 

 is a free process at the upper extremity of the posterior limb, pointing 

 forwards towards the infraorbital ring. The operculum is armed 

 with a strong, straight spine ; the sub- and interoperculum have a 

 membranaceous margin. There are neither ridges nor grooves on the 

 upper surface of the head ; the crown is broad, and slightly rounded 

 on the sides ; the space between the orbits is narrow and somewhat 

 concave ; the praefrontal is armed with two or three small spines. 

 The infraorbital ring is narrow, but solid, all the bones being of 

 nearly equal width, and firmly grown together. 



The suprascapula is firmly joined to the skull, and has, like the 

 scapula, the upper margin finely serrated. The humeral has a very 

 feeble process for the junction with the scapula ; the axis of the re- 

 mainder of the bone is straight, and situated in an oblique direction. 

 The ulna is joined to the humerus by two processes, which have a 

 wide opening between them ; there is a second opening between the 

 upper process and the radius. 



There are eleven abdominal and thii^ty-one caudal vertehrce, the 

 length of the former portion of the vertebral column being to that of 

 the latter as 1 : 3-6 ; the vertebrae are moderately long and broad ; the 

 ribs, the neural, haemal, interneural and interhaemal spines are feeble; 

 the anterior interha^mals are composed of three distinct lamellae ; 

 those of the first four anal rays have the same situation as in Tr. 

 vipera and araneus. 



2. Trachinus araneus. 



Draco major, Salv. fol. 71 ; Willughhj, tab. S. 10. f. 1, 2. 



Araneus tertius, Alilrov. p. 259. 



Aranei species altera, Willughhy, p. 289. 



Trachinus lineatus, Risso, Ichth. Nice, p. 109, and Eur. Merid. \v 



p. 260 (not Schneid. nor De la Roche). 

 araneus, Ckw. ^ Val. iii. p. 248 ; Martens, Reise nach Venediy, ii. 



p. 430. 

 Skeleton : Agass. Poise. Foss. iv. p. 195. pi. E. 



D. 7 I 28. A. 31. Vert. 10/29. 



Two small spines above the anterior angle of the orbit. PrSe- 

 orbital with an obtuse anterior point. The height of the body is 5^ 

 in the total length. Six or seven black blotches on the sides below 

 the lateral line ; the spinous dorsal black. 



Mediterranean. 

 a. Half-grown : skin. Sine patriu. From Mr. YarreU's Collection. 



