^8 "ENDEAVOUR" SCIENTIFIC RESULTS. 



Head 2'8 to 3'i in the length. Orbit 2 "4 in the head, much 

 greater than the interorbital width which is rather more than 

 one-fourth of the head, convex, and one-third longer than the 

 snout. Opercuhmi with two very weak spines which are 

 almost hidden by scales. With the exception of the snout and 

 lips the whole head is covered with small scales set in a fleshy 

 skin, beneath which are numerous muciferous canals with 

 small pores opening onto the surface. Teeth minute, in a 

 single row on the jaws and in very narrow bands or almost 

 single rows on the vomer and palatines. 



Median portion of the scales of the body more or less pro- 

 duced and usually with several microscopic points which are 

 variable both in number and degree of development. There 

 are from sixty-eight to seventy-one scales along the lateral 

 line to the hypural and about ten more extend onto the base 

 of the caudal ; they are enlarged, those of the anterior portion 

 being almost twice as broad as long, and have either truncate 

 or excavate spiny margins. Below the lateral line the scales 

 are arranged in oblique rows which descend backwards 

 towards the lower surface of the body. 



The distance between the origin of the dorsal and the end of 

 the snout is usually somewhat less, sometimes rather more 

 than half that between it and the tip of the caudal. The first 

 spine may be either well developed, small or absent ; the others 

 increase regularly in height, the last being about two-thirds 

 the length of the first ray. The latter is simple and a little 

 longer than the space between the end of the snout to the 

 hinder orbital margin. The length of the base of the anal 

 is I '5 to 1/ that of the dorsal; its anterior rays are much 

 higher than the posterior ones, but are only two-thirds, or 

 less, the length of the first dorsal ray. The first spine is placed 

 either below the hindermost portion of the dorsal or entirely 

 behind that fin and is often minute and hidden in the scales. 

 Third upper ray of the pectoral the longest, reaching almost 

 to or a little beyond the vertical of the anal. Ventrals placed 

 below the pectorals and not reaching so far back as the vent. 



Colour. — Upper surface of the head, back and upper portion 

 of the sides closely speckled with microscopic brown dots 

 which give them a greyish colour. Breast, lower jaw and lips 

 more or less similarly dotted, and the specks also extend onto 

 the dorsal and caudal rays. Otherwise colourless in preserved 

 examples. 



Described from sixteen specimens go to 132 mm. long, the 

 longest of which is selected as the type. 



This species is allied to P. unwini, Ogilby, but is at once 

 distinguished by its much less spiny and more numerous 



