620 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. voi..xxi'v. 
Snout long and sharp, preorbital broad, intercrbital space slightly 
convex; eye large, midway between tip of snout and posterior edge of 
operele. Outer series of teeth canine-like, larger anteriorly; a strong 
canine projecting forward from back part of upper jaw; inner series of 
teeth coalesced into a narrow blunt-edged plate. Pseudobranchite large; 
gill rakers on first arch 4+8, short, pointed. Preopercle finely serrated 
posteriori}'. Dorsal with a sheath of scales posteriorly, anal and 
caudal with narrow sheaths; scales of head imbricate, those on occi- 
put, cheeks, and on subopercle small, the latter elongate, those of 
opercle large; scales on cheek in about 7 series, counting downward 
from eye; snout, interorbital space, chin, and a space along edge 
of preopercle naked. Lateral line complete, evenly curved to caudal 
peduncle. Membrane of spinous dorsal deeply incised, the last spine 
longest, 2| in head, the seventh ray longest, 2|^ in head. Anal spines 
strong, the second heaviest, the third longest, 2f in head. Caudal 
Fig. 3. — Verreo oxycephalus. 
concave, the upper rays slightly longer than the lower, 1^ in head. 
Ventrals not quite reaching anal opening. Pectorals If in head. 
Color said to be red in life; a large black spot on dorsal in region 
of seventh, eighth, and ninth spines; posterior part of pectoral blpck, 
the dark color passing over to the upper side and extending down- 
ward along the base of the fin; each side with 3 or 4 white spots, per- 
haps pinkish in life; a small one under the fifth dorsal spine; a larger 
one under last dorsal spines; another large one under front of soft 
dorsal, and a smaller one below and behind it, below the lateral line. 
This species is known in Japan from four specimens obtained in 
the markets of Tok3^o, one by Dr. Doderlein, and the others by Pro- 
fessor Otaki. From specimens sent b}^ Otaki to the Museum of 
Stanford University our description and figure are taken. 
It is close to the Verreo ummaculatiis Gii.ither, the common "'Pig- 
fish" of Australia, but it may differ in the presence of white spots 
