MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 101 



face generally cavernous ; snout more or less 

 obtuse ; dorsals two or one. 



31. FAMILY. Ckcetodons (Chsetodontidae). Body 



short, broad, much compressed ; dorsal, cau- 

 dal, and anal fins thickly covered with minute 

 scales ; mouth very small ; teeth setaceous, 

 long ; dorsal fin generally single. 



32. FAMILY. Nendoles (Moenidse). Body oblong 



or fusiform ; upper jaw extremely exten- 

 sible ; teeth small, fine, crowded ; covered with 

 scales ; caudal generally forked or lunate. 



33. FAMILY. Riband-Gurnards (Lepidosomatidae). 



Body anguilliform, sword-shaped, very thin, 

 covered with osseous scales, rough, and be- 

 set with small acute spines ; head depressed, 

 mailed ; dorsals two, the first small, the se- 

 cond long, and united with anal and caudal ; 

 ventrals small. 



34. FAMILY. Gurnards (Triglictee). Head co- 



vered with bony plates resembling armour, 

 and defended with large spinous processes ; 

 scales rough, cuspidate, or prickly ; caudal 

 fin generally lunate ; distinct finger-like pro- 

 cesses generally placed at base of pectorals ; 

 pectorals often very large. 



35. FAMILY. Sea-Scorpions (Scorpsenidse). Head 



compressed ; mouth opens horizontally ; body 

 generally covered with smooth scales ; eyes 

 prominent, lateral ; pectorals with some of 

 lower rays detached, but without digitated 

 .processes. 



