— 51 — 



in distinct narrow vertical bands, a broad dusky band 

 between the eyes. Dorsal fin dark with a row of ra- 

 ther large white spots on the membrane near the base, 

 other fins transparent. No spot on the back of the tail. 



Scorpoena axillaris. 



D. 12 1/9. A. 3/5. L. lat. 45. 



The height of the body is 3i times in the total 

 length, the head three times. The temples, the upper 

 and posterior portions of the operculum covered with 

 scales, the space between the eyes deep, with two la- 

 teral ridges, equal to the diameter of the eyes, which 

 are 4| in the length of the head ; a deep groove be- 

 neath the eye ; anterior margin of the orbit with one^ 

 posterior with two strong spines ; the maxillary ex- 

 tends backwards to a vertical from the posterior mar- 

 gin of the orbit. No palatine teeth. The spinous dor- 

 sal a little less than one third the height of the body, 

 not as high as the soft dorsal ; the third, fourth and 

 fifth dorsal spines the longest, the second being con- 

 tained three times in the length of the head. In life 

 whitish marbled with dark brown and red ; a yellowish 

 blotch beneath the forepart of first dorsal, behind which 

 is a bright red blotch extending on the dorsal ; second 

 dorsal marbled with brown ; caudal yellow with a broad 

 vertical ash colored band, edged with dull red across 

 the middle ; pectoral externally banded with brown 

 red aad yellow ; internally greyish white ; a black 

 band, broader superiorly, follows the outline of the 



