376 SQUALID.!-:. 



open ; the back somewhat elevated close behind the head ; 

 the skin rough against the grain ; pectoral fins wide, much 

 like those of the Picked Dog : the first dorsal begins at 

 twelve inches from the snout, and behind the ventral fins ; 

 the second at sixteen inches and a half, both rather small : 

 ventrals ten inches from the snout ; anal fin four inches long, 

 rather narrow, terminating just opposite the end of the second 

 dorsal : extreme length of the tail seven inches ; the upper 

 lobe in a line with the body, bent down towards the termina- 

 tion, rounded, incised, or jagged ; under lobe rather narrow 

 in its course, expanded beneath ; the upper ridge of the su- 

 perior lobe has a double row of prickles pointing outward and 

 downward on each side ; lateral line suddenly bent opposite 

 the origin of the caudal fin. Colour, a light brown on the 

 head and along the back : on each side two rows of ocellated 

 spots ; one row beginning at the side of the neck, and con- 

 tinued along the side of the back ; the second row commen- 

 cing behind the eye and passing along the upper side of the 

 belly, becoming obsolete near the ventral fins ; these rows are 

 separated by numerous irregular spots, which, however, as- 

 sume somewhat of a straight direction ; the fins and hinder 

 part of the back are finely barred and clouded with various 

 tints of brown and yellow ; the mouth dark-coloured within. 



This species is well known in the Mediterranean. Mr. 

 Couch's specimen was that of a male, and the figure is taken 

 from a drawing lent for that purpose. 



