COMMERSONIAN SCORP^ENA* 271 



triangular, flat, and sharp spines: between the 

 eyes are situated four fringed cirri, and four others, 

 of similar form but smaller, are placed on the upper 

 lip ; while several more are disposed along the 

 lateral line : the body is covered with scales of 

 moderate size: the first part of the dorsal fin, which 

 is of a rounded form, is furnished with spiny rays, 

 and the tail is also rounded : the general colour of 

 the fish is a very deep or blackish brown, and on 

 the pectoral fins are a few small brown spots : size 

 not mentioned : native of the American seas. 



COMMERSONIAN SCORP-fiNA. 



Scorpsena Commersonii. S. corporepinnisqvefuscojlavoque trdns- 

 versimfasciatis, super ciliis serratis, maxilla supenore cirrosa. 



Scorpaena with the body and fins transversly banded witli brown 

 and yellow, serrated eyebrows, and bearded upper lip. 



La Scorpene Mahe. Cepede 3. p. 279. 



DESCRIBED by Cepede from the manuscripts of 

 Commerson : the back is arched and carinated ; 

 the lateral line curving downwards : body covered 

 with small scales : head large, and armed with 

 numerous spines : orbits of the eyes elevated, and 

 forming two denticulated crests, with a furrow be- 

 tween them : lower jaw somewhat longer than the 

 upper, which is extensile and fumished on each 

 side with three or four beards : teeth very small and 

 close : nostrils each marked by a small filament : 

 gill-covers each composed of two plates, the first of 



