LEUCASPIUS DELINEATUS. 



on the head, and is then continued as a flattened arch on the back. The 

 abdominal curve is rather greater. Behind the anal fin the tail tapers some- 

 what, and is two-fifths of the greatest depth of the body. In this region 

 there is a space as long as the pectoral fin, which is free from scales. The 

 ventral fins are in the middle of the length ; they have shorter rays than the 

 other fins, but nearly reach to the vent. 



The dorsal fin commences behind the ventral, and the anal fin begins under 



Fig. 136. LEucASPirs UELINEATUS (HECKEL). 



the end of the dorsal. All the fins are well developed, considering the size of 

 the fish ; but the longest rays of the dorsal are scarcely longer than those of 

 the anal. The lobes of the caudal fin are as long as the head. 



The typical distinguishing character of the species, as of the genus, is the 



Fig. 137. LEUCASPIVS DELINEATUS (HECKEL). 



absence of the lateral line (Figs. 1 36, 137). Sometimes it extends only to two or 

 three scales, and rarely to as many as six or seven, which open by simple pores. 



The largest scales are scarcely equal to half the diameter of the eye. They 

 are soft, and easily fall off. On the anterior part of the body the scales are 

 marked with fine concentric stripes, but are free, or almost free, from rays ; 

 though in the hind part of the body the rays are distinctly visible in scales 

 from the side of the tail. The mucus-canals are strongly developed in the 

 head . 



The colour varies with the locality; the back and upper part of the head 

 10 



