190 PARKER'S SILURUS. 



sists of a strong and slightly incurvated bony spine, 

 with a rough granular surface and a serrated con- 

 cave edge; the sharp apices of these spines form 

 powerful weapons of offence and defence for the 

 naked body of the fish. The pectoral spine is a 

 little more curved than that of the dorsal fins : all of 

 these spines are moveable, apparently by means of 

 strong muscles. The length of the dorsal spine is 

 six inches and a half, that of the pectoral spines 

 nearly six inches. Besides its bony spine, there are 

 seven rays in the first dorsal fin ; but there are no 

 rays in the second, which is adipose, but not very 

 thick. The number of rays in each pectoral fin, 

 exclusive of the spine, is eleven. The two ventral 

 fins are three inches apart, and each of them seems 

 to have six rays. The ventral and anal fins have a 

 deep red colour in the recent fish ; the latter has 

 eighteen rays. The tail is deeply forked, and has 

 thirty rays. The lateral line is slightly waved ; 

 the air-bladder lies below the heart-shaped bony 

 shield, and is attached to the first vertebra." It was 

 named by Dr. Trail in honour of Charles S. Parker, 

 Esq. of Liverpool. 



