394 FISHES. PLECTOGNATHI. 



FAMILY II. SCLERODERMI, Cuv. 



This family is distinguished by their conical or pyramidal snout, prolonged from 

 the eyes, and terminated by a small mouth, with distinct teeth in each jaw. The 

 skin is generally rough, or covered with hard scales. Two dorsal fins, the first spi- 

 rious, the second soft ; no ventral fins ; swimming bladder oval, large. 



Gen. 4. BALTSTES, Lin. 



Body compressed, covered with hard rhomboidal scales ; eight 

 teeth in a single row in each jaw ; first dorsal fin with three 

 spines, the first the largest, the third much smaller and sepa- 

 rate ; extremity of the pelvis projecting and prickly. 



The fishes of this genus abound in the tropical seas near rocks on a level with 

 the water, and are remarked/or the brilliancy of their colours. Their flesh is not 

 much prized, and is said to be dangerous at certain seasons. 



1. Tail unarmed. 



B. capriscus, Lin. Mediterranean File-Fish. Body ovate,, brown- 

 ish gray, spotted with blue or green ; tail unarmed ; scales be- 

 hind the branchial opening not larger than the others. 1 to 2 

 feet long. Inhabits Mediterranean sea Shaw, v. 411. 



B. stellaris, Schn. Body gray above, with small white spots ; sides 

 and abdomen whitish ; first dorsal fin with four spines, the first 

 longest ; second dorsal and anal fins speckled with white bars ; 

 tail unarmed. Inhabits Indian seas. Sharv, v. 417. 



~B.forcipatus, Lin. Skin marked into scale-like arese ; first dorsal 

 fin three-spined, the first extremely thick and strong ; second 

 dorsal and anal fin with numerous small round spots ; tail un- 

 armed, forked. 16 inches long. Inhabits Indian seas Shaw, 

 v. 416. 



B. vetula, Bloch. Body broad and thin, rough, the scales divid- 

 ed into small trapezoidal figures, yellowish olive above, paler 

 beneath ; three spines in the first dorsal fin, the first largest ; 

 tail unarmed, forked, with blue bands. 1 to 2 feet long. In- 

 habits Indian and American seas. Bloch, pi. 150. 



2. Tail armed with two rows of spines. 



B. lineatus, Schn. Tail with two rows of spines ; scales behind the 

 branchial openings larger than the others Schn. 87. 



3. Tail with three rows of spines, 



B. cinereus, Lacep. (JB. arcuatus, Schn.) Body cinereous, marked 

 on each side by a black thoracic band, and three lunated blue 

 spots near the tail; tail slightly lunated, with three rows of 

 spines. Inhabits Indian Seas. -Shaw, v. 410. 



B. aculeatus, Lin. Body ferruginous, with the top of the head and 

 sides of the thorax streaked with blue ; skin rough and reticulated ; 

 tail rounded, with three rows of recumbent spines. 2 inches 

 long. Inhabits Indian, American, and Red Seas. Shaw, v. 

 pi. 169. 



