208 8CLER0DERMI. 



Synopsis of the Groups and Genera. 

 First Group. Triacantliina. 



SMn covered with snudl, rough, scale-liJce scutes. A spinous dorsal 

 Jin, with from four to six spines. A pair of strong moveable 

 ventral spines, joined to the pelvic bone. 



Teeth small, conical, in a double series 1. Triacanthodes, p. 208. 



Teeth small, conical, in a single series 2. Hollardia, p. 209. 



Teeth in the outer series incisor-like 3. Ti-iacanthus, p. 209. 



Second Group. Balistina. 



Body compressed, covered ivith moveable scutes, or rough. Spinous 

 dorsal reduced to one, two, or three spines. Ventral reduced to a 

 single pelvic prominence, or entirely absent. 



Three dorsal spines 4. Balistes, p. 211. 



One (two) dorsal spine ; no barbel 5. Monacanthus, p. 229. 



A barbel j,6. Anacanthics, p. 255. 



Third Group. Ostraciontina. 



The integuments of the body are modified into a ^rm carapace, formed 

 of juxtaposed scutes. Spinous dorscd and ventral fins absent, 

 sometimes indicated by protuberances. 



Teeth small and slender, in a single series .... 7. Ostracion, p. 255. 



First Group. TRIACANTHINA. 



This group approaches most closely to the fishes of the more 

 highly developed orders ; and therefore we have placed it at the 

 head of the Plectognaths. 



1. TRIACANTHODES. 



Triacanthodes, Blcek. Act. Sac. Sc. Indo-Neerl. iii. Japan, iv. p. 37. 

 Body compressed, with short tail, covered with small spiny scales. 

 Teeth small, conical, closely set, in a double series, about fourteen in 

 the upper and twenty-two in the lower jaw. There is a pair of 

 small teeth in the inner series. Anterior dorsal fin formed by from 

 four to six strong spines. Ventral fins formed by a pair of st.'-ong 

 spires joined to the piBlvic bone. 

 Japan. 



1. Triacanthodes anonialus. 



Triacanthus anomalus, Schleg. Farm. Japan. Poiss. p. 295, tab. 129. 



fig. 3. 

 Triacanthodes anomalus, Bleek. I. c. 



D. 4-6 I 14-16. A. 12-13. 



The height of the body is contained twice and one- third in the 

 total length (without caudal). Dorsal and ventral spines strong, 

 ough on their basal halves. Uniform brownish. 

 Japan. 



a-c. From 3 to 4| inches long : stuffed Japan. 



