264 GOBIOIDJE. 



at the upper edge of the operculum. The upper part of the 

 head is flat; the profile of the nose convex; the under surface 

 of the head flat ; inferior angle of the preoperculum ending in 

 three spines, directed upwards ; the free edge of the opercu-- 

 lum hid by the continuation of the common covering of the 

 body. 



The mouth is deeply divided, measuring seven-eighths of 

 an inch from the angle of the gape to the point of the upper 

 jaw ; the teeth occupy a broad surface in the front, which 

 becomes narrower as the band proceeds backwards ; the point 

 of the lower jaw with a single row of teeth, longer and more 

 curved, anterior to the others ; the inside of the mouth fur- 

 nished with two transverse folds of lining membrane to admit 

 the extension of the moveable portion of the upper jaw. 



The first dorsal fin, of four rays, commences in a line with 

 the origin of the pectorals : the first ray very much elongated, 

 reaching to the base of the tail ; the second ray two-thirds of 

 the length of the first ray ; the third ray half the length of the 

 second ; the fourth ray short, about one inch in length. The 

 number of fin-rays are 



D. 4. 9 : P. 20 . V. 5 : A. 9 : C. 10. 



The second dorsal fin has eight rays of equal length, and 

 about as long as the body of the fish is deep ; the ninth ray 

 double, and nearly as long again as any of the preceding rays 

 of that fin ; the origin of the last dorsal fin-ray being in a line 

 over the last ray but two of the anal fin. The ventral fins 

 are large, all the rays branched, supporting a dense and 

 strong membrane ; the last ray attached by a membrane to 

 the body of the fish, and to the base of the pectoral fin. 

 The pectoral fin triangular in shape, the central rays the 

 longest ; all the rays slender and branched, the connecting 

 membrane delicate and transparent. The vent and postanal 



