STARGAZERS AND WEAVERS 



2743 



been taken from depths of over twelve hundred fathoms. They inhabit all seas ex- 

 cept the Arctic, where they are are almost unknown. 



The stargazers as typically represented by the genus Uranoscopus \ 

 of which one species ( U. scaber) is shown in the upper figure of the 

 accompanying illustration, form the first subfamily, and take their name from the 

 upward direction of their small eyes, which are situated on the upper surface of 

 the head. They are further characterized by the continuous lateral line, and by the 

 spinous portion of the single or double dorsal fin being less developed than the soft 



STARGAZER AND WEAVER. 

 (One-third natural size. ) 



part, which is similar to the anal. The members of the typical genus are distin- 

 guished by the large, broad, and massive head being partly covered with bony plates; 

 the vertical cleft of the mouth; and the minute size of the scales. The first of the 

 two dorsal fins has from three to five spines, and the rays of the pectorals are 

 branched. Villiform teeth are present in the jaws and on the bones of the palate, 

 but there are no tusks. The gill cover is armed; and there is generally a long 

 filament below or in front of the tongue, but there is no air bladder. While the 

 figured species is from the Mediterranean, the others range from the Indo-Pacific to 

 the Atlantic. Rarely measuring a foot in length, these exceedingly unprepossessing 



