THE PEKCH. 307 



toward the head. The lateral-line is thrice as near to 

 the back as to the belly, and is slightly arched till it 

 passes the dorsal and anal fins, when it runs straight 

 through the middle of the tail. It is marked on each 

 scale by a tubular elevation, which is divided irregularly 

 by an oblique depression. 



Fins.Kr. 77; D. 131 | 13; P. 14; Y. 1 | 5; A. 

 2 | 8 ; C. 17 5-5.* 



The first dorsal commences a little posterior to the 

 point of the gill-cover and to the pectorals : its fourth 

 and fifth rays are the highest : the first ray is slender 

 and not half the height of the second ; the last ray is so 

 short as to be detected only by a close examination. 

 The second dorsal commences a quarter of an inch from 

 the first, the space between them being occupied by two 

 or three inter-spinous bones without rays : its first ray is 

 spinous, and is closely applied to the base of the second, 

 which is thrice as long, distinctly articulated, and 

 divided at the tip ; the remaining rays are all divided at 

 their summits, but at their bases the articulations are 

 obsolete. The pectorals originate opposite to the spinous 

 point of the operculum ; they are somewhat longer than 

 the ventrals, which are attached opposite to the second 

 spine of the first dorsal. The anal is rounded : its first 



* Br. represents the rays within the gill-covers, which form the 

 breathing apparatus of the animal D. the dorsals P, pectorals V. 

 ventrals A', anal C. caudal. The notations 1 | 13, 2 | 5, and 2 | 8, 

 i -pectively indicate one hard spine, thirteen soft rays, etc. etc. 



