372 



SQUALID^. 



pies nearly the middle of the whole length of the fish ; the 

 anal fin is under the space between the first and second dorsal 

 fins ; the posterior edge of the second dorsal fin half-way 

 between the commencement of the first dorsal fin and the 

 end of the tail ; the vertebral portion of the tail nearly in a 

 line with the body, with a narrow elongated membranous ex- 

 pansion above it, and one long and one short triangular ex- 

 pansion below it. All the upper part of the body marked 

 with numerous small, dark, reddish brown spots, on a pale 

 reddish ground ; the spots on the fins rather larger and less 

 numerous than those on the body ; the lower part of the 

 sides and the under surface yellowish white. The skin, to 

 the finger passed from the head towards the tail, is smooth ; 

 in the opposite direction it is rough. The appearance of the 

 skin under a lens is that of being covered with minute spi- 

 culae, all the points of which are directed backwards. 



