XXIII ACANTHOPTERYGII 699 
The common Lump-Sucker of our coasts (Cyclopterus lumpus) 
is the largest member of the group, growing to a length of 2 
feet or more. The male makes pits in the sand between stones, 
in which the female deposits the eggs; he watches over the eggs 
and also over the young, which cling to his body with their 
suckers. The “Sea-Snails” (Liparis), are represented by two 
species on the British coasts. 
Fic. 425.—Cyclopterus lumpus. x4. 
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Fam. 7. Platycephalidae.— Head not cuirassed, much 
depressed, with spines; basis craniui simple; two nostrils on each 
side. Guill-membranes free; gills 4; pseudobranchiae present. 
Vertebrae 27; ribs all sessile, bearing the epipleurals. Post-tem- 
‘poral forked ; scapula and coracoid well developed, in contact with 
each other ; pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and on 4 short 
and broad pterygials, 2 of which are in contact with the coracoid. 
Ventral fins widely separated, behind the pectorals, with 1 
spine and 5 soft rays. Spinous dorsal shorter than the soft ; 
anal without spines. Body covered with small scales. 
The single genus Platycephalus, with some 40 species, 
inhabits the coasts of the Indian Ocean and the Western 
Pacific. 
Fam. 8. Hoplichthyidae.— Head incompletely cuirassed, much 
depressed, with spines; basis cranil simple; two nostrils on each 
side. Gill-membranes attached to isthmus; gills 4; pseudo- 
branchiae present. Vertebrae about 50, the praecaudals with 
transverse processes. Post-temporal fused with the skull; scapula 
and coracoid in contact with each other; pectoral rays inserted on 
the scapula“and on 3 plate-like pterygials. Ventral fins widely 
separated, a little before the pectorals, with 1 spine and 5 soft 
