MR. W. THOMPSON ON A NEW SUB-GENUS OF FISHES, 209 
placed just in advance of, and before the centre of the eye, and in form a somewhat oval 
transverse aperture. Eye large, occupying the entire upper half of the depth of the 
head ; its width greater than its height, in the length of the head, occupying the place 
of 1 in 44; its distance from the snout 3 lines, or equal to its diameter, consequently 24 
of its diameters are contained between it and the edge of the operculum. Operculum 
rounded at the base, terminating above in a minute point directed backwards, strongly 
radiated, strie distant ; preoperculum ascending vertically ; cheeks smooth and soft. 
Mouth rather obliquely cleft. Teeth, two large strong ones, placed close together, and 
curving inwards at each side the extremity of the upper jaw, the two inner 7th of an 
inch apart. In the lower jaw one slender rounded tooth, nearly 1 line long on each 
side, curving outwards at the base, and inwards at the point. Entire upper and under 
jaw and vomer densely studded with small bluntish teeth, somewhat uniform in size ; 
vomer extending far forward, and very much developed, forming a cavity in the lower 
jaw, and in advance of the tongue when the mouth is closed ; a series of rows of teeth 
similar to those last described on the palatine bones ; all the teeth of the upper jaw ex- 
posed to view when the mouth is closed. Tongue short, not reaching within 2} lines 
of the extremity of the lower jaw, and apparently toothless. On the dorsal ridge, 1 
inch from the snout, or 23 lines behind the cranium, is a short, stout, bony spine, not 
very conspicuous, and, excepting its extreme point, covered with skin: it is 6 lines in 
advance of the first ray of the dorsal fin. Scales none’ (?). Lateral line inconspicuous, 
being a slight depression extending in a straight line along the middle of the sides pos- 
teriorly, or throughout the greater portion of its length, but anteriorly nearer to the 
dorsal than the ventral profile. Vent 1 inch 3 lines from the extremity of the lower 
jaw. Branchiostegous membrane opens forward rather before the extremity of the gape. 
Dorsal fin commencing | inch 6 lines from the snout, low at its origin, but gradually 
increasing in height to near the caudal fin, which it joins, the two or three anterior 
rays, which are very short, flexible and simple* (?), remainder articulated. Anal fin 
originates just behind the vent, or at 1 inch 3 lines from the point of the lower jaw, 
joins the caudal fin, near to which it increases in depth posteriorly from its origin, 
deeper than the dorsal fin throughout ; about 12 inch from the caudal fin the rays are 
in length four times greater than the depth of the body at the same place, the rays of 
the dorsal fin opposite being three times the depth of the body; the first and second 
anterior rays flexible and simple (?), remainder articulated. Pectoral fins originate 
1 line behind the head, and are equal to half its length, central rays longest, all very 
flexible, placed below the middle of the sides. Caudal fin, central rays longest. Arti- 
culations very long on the rays of all the fins; no branched rays in any of them. 
D. 180? A.180? P. 162 C.122—Br. 7. 
‘ It must be observed, that had the specimen possessed scales of the same nature as those of the Cepola ru- 
bescens (Yarr. Brit. Fish. vol. i. p. 197.), itmay have been divested of them during its short exposure on the beach. 
? As in Cepola rubescens. 
