THE SHORT SUN-FISH. 401 



at the mouth of Pool Harbour, in company with S. acus 

 and S. typftlc. It has also been found on the coast of De- 

 von, and, although a rare fish, it seems better known than 

 the last-described species, with which it has occasionally 

 been confounded. The best distinguishable character is in 

 the position of the dorsal fin. Mr Yarrell states, that " in 

 this species, as well as the two others belonging to this se- 

 cond division," S. cBqiiu7'eus and S. lumbrici/drmis^ *' neither 

 male nor female possesses an anal pouch, but the ova, after 

 exclusion from the abdomen of the female, are carried for 

 a time by the male in separate hemispheric depressions on 

 the external surface of the abdomen, anterior to the anus. 

 The females have no such depressions." The S. lumbj'ici- 

 ^formis has been taken by Dr Johnston in Berwick Bay, but 

 has not been noticed as occurring in the Firth of Forth ; 

 from its small size it is very liable to be overlooked. 



ORDER IV.— GYMNODONTES. 



Opercule and rays concealed beneath the skin ; branchial 

 opening small; snout not produced; true teeth wanting. 



Genus ORTHAGORISC US.— Jaws undivided ; body 

 very much compressed, short, truncated behind ; rough, 

 but without spines ; not capable of inflation ; dorsal and 

 anal fins uniting with the caudal. 



Orthagoriscus mola.* — The Short Sun-Fish. 



Specific Characters. — Depth about two-thirds of the length ; skin 

 rough. 



* Orthagotiscus mola, Yarr., Cuv., Jen. Tetradon mola, Pfenn. 

 VOL. VII. C C 



