SHEATFISH. 77 



large; jaws rough with teeth; on each corner of the upper 

 lip a long stout barb, which in the younger examples reaches 

 as far back as the vent; below the lower jaw four barbs of 

 less dimensions. Eyes small, protruding; gill-openings large; 

 the skin smooth and tough. A single narrow dorsal fin, 

 situated above the pectorals, with from three to five rays; 

 pectorals round, armed in front with a firm bone that is 

 toothed on its hind ward border, eighteen rays; ventral fin 

 with sixteen; the tail round, with eighteen rays. The colour 

 above dark brown with a tint of green, more or less spotted 

 with black; the belly yellowish, dusky and mottled. The 

 air-bladder is divided through its length. 



