AN ARMORED CRUISER. EES 
Sharp-beaked Gurnard (Pterygotrigla polyommata). 
Though this Gurnard is not so often obtained as the 
preceding, there is good reason for thinking that it is almost 
as abundant—at least along the southern half of the coast- 
line. Normally it is to be found, in its greatest abundance, 
in deeper water than that in which the Kumu Gurnard 
is principally found, though stray specimens are captured 
occasionally in the deeper water of our harbors. The most 
northerly locality from which I have obtained this species, 
so far, is Camden Haven. From here it becomes more 
abundant as we proceed south. At times it is very abundant 
on sandy bottoms in deep water, from about 20 to about 
60 fathoms, in the vicinity of Sydney, New South Wales, 
when considerable numbers are captured by line. 
The Sharp-beaked Gurnard is heavier in build than the 
Kumu Gurnard; the eyes are larger also, suggesting a deep- 
water existence, while the head is more heavily armed with 
strong and sharp spines. Two of the latter, which are 
powerful, flattened, and project in front of the snout; hence 
the name here used. The general color is a beautiful reddish- 
pink, the lower parts whitish, and with a broad silver band 
along each side. 
It attains a length of at least 20 inches. 
As I pointed out in ‘ Fishes of Australia,’’ this fish is 
often called ‘‘ Flying’? Gurnard, a name which properly 
applies to the next species. 
FLYING GURNARDS, OR SEA ROBINS. 
Flying Gurnard (Cephalacanthus spinarella). 
Sometimes familiarly known as “Sea Robin.” It is 
well known to mariners on account of its habit of coming 
to the surface in shoals, skimming along, and taking flying 
leaps into the air, somewhat after the fashion of the true 
Flying-fishes, which are, normally, surface-fishes. 
It may be distinguished by its squarish head, the upper 
surface and sides of which are entirely hard and bony, and 
from the hinder portion of which, on each side, is an enormous 
