]0G 



SPIIYR.EXID.E — GASTEOSTEID.E. 



fleshy appendage, projecting beyond snout; cheek covered with very 

 small scales ; larger scales on the operculum, which ends in a single 

 point. Dorsals V, I 9 ; first and second spines equal, or second longer, 

 about ^ length of head. Anal I 8. Pectoral | to |- length of head. 

 Ventral nearer eye than origin of anal. Caudal forked, about f length 

 of head. Caudal peduncle 3 times as long as deep. Scales 110- 

 ^^0 25:22- Olive above, yellowish on the sides, white beneath ; numerous 

 transverse dark bars on the back. 



Total length 700 niillim. 



Tropical Atlantic, entering rivers from the Senegal to the Congo. 



1. Ad. 



2-3. Hgr. & yg. 



4. Hot. 



5-7. Yg. 



8. Skel, 



I'. Y"-. 



St. Loui.s, Senegid. 



Gambia. 



Lagos. 



Degaina. liowcr Niger. 



Boiiito 1{. 



M. P. Delhez (C). 

 J. S. Biulgett, Esq. (P.). 

 J. C;.(bii;in, Esq. (P.). 

 Dr. \V. J. Ansorge (('.). 



G. L. Bates, Es<i (( ' ). 



I'V. 04. 



"^ 



Sjih^jrcKna rjuHcha nclio. 



Fam. 19. GASTROSTEID.E. 



Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. 

 Suborbital bones in contact with pricoperculum, protecting the check. 

 Only three branchiostegal rays. Two nostrils on each side. Body 

 naked or protected by bony shields, tapering to a slender caudal 

 peduncle. Spinous dorsal fin represented by isolated spines. Pectoral 

 fins with short pterygials, coracoid bones large, forming a ventral 

 armour. Ventral fins with one spine and one or two soft rays, well 

 behind the pectorals, and usually connected with the scai)ular arch. 

 PriBcaudal vertebra; with strong transverse pi-occsses. 



Fresh waters and Coasts of the Northern Hemisphere. 



