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62 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
Lateral series of scutes each consisting of 34-36 plates, each armed 
with a spine similar to those above described. 
Ventral series containing 29-31 plates, the last three or four single, 
the remainder forming a double series similar to the dorsal series, but 
with less.conspicuous spines. 
The ventral series commences at the axils of the ventral fins, and the 
lower surface between these fins and the gill-openings is occupied by 
several large, separate, subcircular, strongly striated scales or plates, 
those running along the margin of the gill-openings placed closer to- 
gether, and forming a series of about seven. 
About seven pairs of subcircular scales, not striated, or only slightly 
striated, are scattered along the acutely triangular space behind the 
ventrals, between the two ventral series of scutes, which do not fairly 
meet each other anterior to the anal fin. An elongate naked area be- 
hind the pectorals, separating the lower lateral from the ventral series. 
Some small scales in the space between the mandibles, and a series 
of small, elevated, and sharp-pointed scales along the curve of the 
pectoral base. 
Vent not far behind the base of the ventrals. 
The center of the interocular space, the area between the occipital 
ridges, some spaces on the lateral aspect of the head between the more 
prominent parts of the bones, and the areas between the large scales in 
front of the ventral are set with numerous prickles, a few of which also 
occur in the intermandibular area. 
Similar prickles are numerous on the anterior portion of the trunk, 
occupying the spaces between the parallel dorsal and upper lateral 
series of scutes; those of the upper surface end at the first dorsal, those 
of the upper lateral surfaces at the posterior extremity of the same fin. 
Behind these points the scuta of these surfaces closely interlock. 
Lateral line continuous; a pore between each pair of scutes; pores 
simple. 
Color.—After exposure to alcohol, the upper and lateral surfaces of 
the body ‘are banded “alternately Sui dull yellowish and olivaceous 
brown; pectorals whitish on their basal portion, a dark spot on the 
upper and another on the lower edge excepted, and dark on their 
terminal part, the margin of the dark color running obliquely from the 
center of the first to the tip of the eleventh ray. 
Ventrals with a large black spot on the membrane inside the first ray, 
and two small spots near the tip of the membrane. Abdomen yellowish 
white. 
When somewhat fresher, the dirty yellowish tint of the ventrals was 
bright orange yellow, and the black of that fin was more positive, so 
that it is probable that in life the colors of the whole body were much 
brighter than they are now. 
The total length of the specimens examined, from tip of lower jaw 
(mouth closed) to tip of caudal, varied from 5.68 inches to 6.65 inches. 
