BY J. DOUGLAS OGILBY. 17 



TETRAODID^. 



SPHEROIDES SQUAMICAUDA Sp. HOV. 

 SCALY-TAILED TOAD-FISH. 



D. 9 ; A. 7 ; P. 15. Depth of body (at the vent) 4-2, 

 length of head 3 in length of body. Diameter of eye 2-6, 

 width of interocular region 6-25, height of dorsal 1-45^ 

 length of caudal 1-15, of pectoral 1-5 in length of head. 



Body robust, evenly and gently rounded to above 

 the middle of the pectoral fins, beyond which it slopes 

 downward to the caudal. Anterior profile of head linear 

 and slightly oblique, the mouth below the level of the eye ; 

 length of head a little less than that of the trunk. Eye 

 large, narrowly free below, its diameter about equal to the 

 length of the snout ; interocular region narrow and concave, 

 its width 2-4 in the eye. Nostrils pierced in a conspicuous 

 rounded tentacle. A narrow band round the lips and an 

 ovate gular patch naked ; rest of head and trunk closely 

 studded with flexible spinules, which do not quite extend 

 to the dorsal fin above nor to the vent below, but are con- 

 tinued backward on the upper side to below the origin of 

 the dorsal where it meets the lateral line, the intervening 

 border concave ; between the lateral line and the vent 

 there is also a naked embayment stretching forward to the 

 tips of the appressed pectoral rays ; tail spineless, with 

 a low ridge on either side of the lateral line, each of which 

 bears a series of unarmed squamiform processes. Lateral 

 line forming a gentle curve to below the orgin of the dorsal, 

 thence straight to the caudal fin ; a linear connecting line 

 across the nape, beyond which the main line curves 

 gradually downward to behind the lower third of the eye 

 where it trifurcates, the middle branch passing directly 

 forward to the angle of the mouth, the others branching 

 off at right angles, the upper eventually curving forward 

 above the eye to between the nostrils, the lower ceasing in 

 front of the inferior angle of the gill- opening. Sides of 

 tail with a well- developed ridge. Width of gill- opening 

 rather more than the base of the pectoral, and extending 

 well above it, the inner flap not protruding, the outer 

 with a flat tentacular process on its lower half. 



Dorsal fin falcate, with the extreme tip rounded, its 

 length 2-85 in its height. Anal rounded, originating 



B — Royal Society. 



