358 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
similar to anal. Ventrals reduced to a simple small osseous ap- 
pendage at end of long pelvic bone, fixed, movable, often rudi- 
mentary or entirely absent. 
Herbivorous fishes of the shores in warm seas closely related 
to the Balistide, differing chiefly in having the first dorsal as a 
single spine, with a posterior rudiment sometimes, and a rough- 
velvety skin. Species mostly of small size with little flesh of 
bitter taste, and therefore not used as food. ‘T'wo occur on our 
coast. 
Key to the genera. 
a. Pubic bone with small terminal spine; gill-opening short, nearly vertical ; 
D. and A. less than 40; pelvic spine movable; usually 2 series of strong 
retrorse barbs on dorsal spine. STEPH ANOLEPIS 
aa. Pubic bone without spine at end; gill-opening long, oblique; D. and A. 
40 or more; dorsal spine without barbs, inserted above orbit. ALUTERA 
Genus STEPHANOLEPIS Gill. 
The Leather Fishes. 
Stephanolepis hispidus (Linnezus). 
PLATE 75. 
File Fish. Thread File Fish. Fool Fish. 
Distinguished from the next chiefly by its generic characters, 
such as the small spine at end of pubic bone, etc. 
I have no New Jersey examples. It reaches a length of 10 
inches. 
Monacanthus hispidus Bean, Bull. U. S. F. Com., VII, 1887, 
P1383. 
Canthorinus broccus Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. $26. 
Canthorinus massachusettensis Abbott, 1. c. 
Canthorinus segnifer Abbott, 1. c. 
