356 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
Genus Harpurus Forster. 
The Doctor Fishes. 
Harpurus hepatus (Linnzus). 
Surgeon. 
Distinguished from any of our other fishes by a very sharp 
knife-edged spine, erectile from a groove. 
Known from our coast only by the record of Dr. Abbott. It 
is evidently a straggler in the Gulf Stream. 
Acanthurus phlobotomus Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 811. 
Sub-Order SCLERODERMI. 
The Hard Skinned Fishes. 
Tropical fishes, mostly inactive, and depending on their tough 
skin or bony or spinous armature for their protection. 
Key to the families. 
a. First dorsal of III, rarely II spines, first very large, and second locking 
it in erection; scales comparatively large, bony, rough, forming a coat 
of mail. BALISTID#® 
aa. First dorsal a single spine, with a rudiment at its base; scales minute, 
not bony, edges spinescent, so that surface of body is rough-velvety. 
5; MONACANTHIDAS 
Family BALISTID. 
The Trigger Fishes. 
Body oblong or ovate, moderately compressed. Eye near occi- 
put. Mouth small, terminal, low. Jaws short, each with about 
I series of separate incisor-like teeth. Preorbital very deep. Chin 
without barbel. Gill-openings small, slit-like, above or in front 
of pectoral fins and not before eyes. Body covered with rather 
large rough scales, or scutes of varying form, scutes not forming 
an immovable carapace. Lateral line obscure or wanting. Post- 
