FISH. 35 
This species very closely approaches the P. levigatus of Cuvier and Valen- 
ciennes, with which it particularly agrees in the smoothness of its head, and 
large approximating eyes. The two spines, however, at the angle of the preo- 
percle appear to be still smaller than in that species;* the fin-ray formula 
is a little different; and so also are the colours; the first dorsal being parti- 
cularly characterized by a large irregular dark-coloured stain on its posterior 
portion, and the anal and yentrals being almost wholly dusky, instead of pale 
with spots on the rays only, as in the P. levigatus. Possibly it may be a mere 
variety. Mr. Darwin’s specimen was obtained at King George’s Sound. 
Famity—SCORPZENID. 
ScoRPENA HISTRIO. Jen. 
Puate VIII. 
SS. toto corpore coccineo, pinnis pallidioribus, maculis parvis irregularibus nigricanti- 
bus: capite magna ex parte alepidoto, lineis spinosis solitis armato: pinnd dorsali 
spinis inequalibus, tertid paulo longissima: capite et lateribus cirris cutaneis parvis 
ubique adornatis ; quatuor palpebralibus, presertim duobus postertoribus, majoribus, 
palmatis. 
Bas De 12/9 Asia CPS Seas Pele] Vel: 
Lone. unc. 9. 
Form.— General form resembling that of the S. Scrofa. Depth at the pectorals just one-fourth of 
the entire length. Thickness a trifle more than two-thirds of the depth. Head more than one- 
third of the entire length. Eyes large and elevated, distant from the end of the snout rather 
more than one diameter ; the space between very concave, twice as long as broad, with two 
whitish lines in the central furrow, diverging as they recede backwards towards the nape, but 
scarcely elevated into salient ridges. Mouth oblique, with the gape large and the lower jaw a 
little the longest ; when closed, the end of the maxillary, which is broad and much dilated, 
reaches to a vertical line from the posterior part of the orbit. A broadish band of velutine 
teeth in each jaw as well as on the vomer and palatines. Tongue smooth. A small sharp 
triangular spine on each of the nasal bones, (in this specimen that on the left side is double or 
forked): upper margin of the orbit, which is much elevated, with three spines, one strong one 
at the anterior angle, and two, nearly as large, further back ; beyond which, on the left orbit 
only, is a fourth smaller one. Space between the eyes bounded posteriorly by a raised are 
* Judging from the figure in the ‘* Voyage de l’Astrolobe (Zoologie),” pl. 10. f. 4. 
+ 
