392 



THE FRESH- WATER FISHES OF EUROPE. 



wart-like tubercles, of which the three anterior are in advance of the barbels. 

 The barbels are rather compressed, and fringed at their ends. The upper lip is 

 small, and slightly notched, and the thickened under lip is quite divided in the 

 middle (Fig. 182). 



The eyes are relatively large, and the breadth of the frontal interspace is 



Fig. 181. ACIPENSER GMELINI, HEAD 



SEEN FROM AHOVE. 



Fig. 182. ACIPENSER GMELINI, HEAD 

 SEEN FKOM HELOW. 



three times the orbital diameter. The lower nasal aperture is larger than the 

 upper. 



There are fourteen dorsal shields, each with a wide heart-shaped or triangu- 

 lar base, except the last, which, though long, is the smallest. Each has a 

 smooth, sharp medium edge, which ends in a short pointed hook. The lateral 

 row consists of sixty-two narrow shields, which are feebly keeled, have a long 

 lozenge shape, and are notched posteriorly with comb-like denticulations. 

 The ventral shields number thirteen to fifteen ; they are very small, but keeled. 



There are two or three little star-shaped flat scutes between the anal fin 

 and the vent, and the skin between the rows of shields is covered with denticu- 

 lated bony scales, like those of the Sterlet, only larger. 



The strongly-developed pectoral fin is nearly as long as the head. The anal 



