NO. 1787. SCI^NOID FISHES OF JAPAN— JORDAN AND THOMPSON. 251 



third dorsal spine. Second anal spine fluted, showing an appearance 

 of longitudinal layers, strong and long, its length 2J in head, first 

 spine short but stout, about one-third diameter of eye. Anal base 

 4^ times in soft dorsal base. Pectorals pointed, fourth ray longest, 

 rather short, being contained IJ in head. Ventrals a trifle shorter, 

 1^ in head. Caudal irregularly rhomboidal, the upper half having 

 its border somewhat concave, its length 1 j in head. 



Lateral line arched anteriorly, dropping slightly posteriorly from 

 parallel to line of back, until opposite insertion of anal at which it 

 becomes straight along center of caudal peduncle to tip of caudal. 



Scales strongly ctenoid, except on lower surface of head and preor- 

 bitals. Rows of scales on body oblique to lateral line, those from scap- 

 ular flap ending at middle of spinous dorsal, those from upper rays of 

 pectoral meeting lateral line slightly posterior to below first rays of soft 

 dorsal but continued above to its center. Those posteriorly gradually 

 becoming less oblique until parallel on caudal peduncle. Soft dorsal 

 with a basal sheath of two rows, anal similar, caudal scaled at base, 

 and halfwa}^ to tip along membranes. On lateral line anteriorly 

 two small scales between the scales bearing pores, posteriorly on 

 caudal peduncle none, midway one small scale only. 



Pores well developed on snout. Lower jaw with a large central 

 pore below symph3^sis; a large pair just behind; and a slit-like pair 

 just behind these and farther apart; halfway back on mandible of 

 each side a row of small closely set pores extending back to articu- 

 lation of mandible. 



Air bladder pointed sharply posteriori}^, with 25 or 26 small lateral 

 arborescent appendages. 



Body white, below level of pectorals; above this the sheath of 

 each scale has a brown spot, making brown stripes along each row 

 of scales running obliquely as described for scale rows, but much 

 interrupted and broken above lateral line, where a longitudinal clear 

 space or indefinite line of unpigmented sheaths runs along one or two 

 scales below the line of the back, and another midway between this 

 and the lateral line, becoming still more indefinite anteriorly. Lateral 

 line interrupting these lines on its curved anterior portion. Rows 

 of scale sheaths along bases of dorsals also colorless, but the lines 

 continued on dorsals by a brown spot at base of each ray or spine and 

 another on the membranes a little higher up, smaller and less dis- 

 tinct. Upper part of head very dark, as is upper part of preopercle 

 and opercle, the latter almost covered by a dark blotch. In pectoral 

 axil a small deep blackish spot on inner bases of rays, continued a dis- 

 tance on rays. Dorsals broadly edged with brownish black on distal 

 halves, the s|3inous dorsal more strongly. Caudal dusky. Other fins 

 colorless. Gill cavities very dark. Peritoneum white, as is mouth 

 cavity. 



