414 



SPINY-FINNED GROUP. 



Pike-Head. 



The small fish (Luciocephalus pvlcher), from the fresh waters of 

 the Malay Archipelago, shown in the accompanying illustration, is 

 the sole representative of the second family of the labyrinth-gilled group, which 

 differs from the first in the absence of spines from both the dorsal and anal fins. 

 The species derives its name from the produced muzzle and general pike-like form 

 of the head; and has its elongate body covered with moderate-sized scales, and 

 traversed by a continuous lateral line. The teeth are small, and the gill-openings 

 wide. The single spineless dorsal fin is very short and placed far back on the 

 body; the pelvics consist of one spine and five rays, one of the latter being 



pike-head (nat. size). 



elongated ; and the tail-fin is rounded. There is no air-bladder. Nothing is known 

 with regard to the life-history of this prettily marked fish. 



Unicorn-Fish. 



Unicorn and Ribbon-Fish, — Families Lopeotidje and Tbachypteeid^:. 



Agreeing in their ribbon-shaped bodies, and also in the extension of the dorsal 

 fin from the head to the end of the tail, the unicorn and ribbon-fishes are thereby 

 easily distinguished from all the preceding forms, although they differ so much 

 from one another as to be entitled to form distinct families, each of which is 

 regarded by Dr. Gunther as representing a sectional group. 



The single representative of the first family (Lophotes cepedianus) 

 differs from the whole of the members of the subclass hitherto described, 

 in that the vent is situated at the hinder extremity of the body, close to the tail, 

 with a small anal fin immediately behind it. The pelvic fins are very minute, and 

 thoracic in position ; the caudal is also small and rounded ; the mouth is incapable 

 of protrusion ; teeth are present on the jaws, palatines, and vomers ; and there is 

 an air-bladder. The most striking peculiarity about this strange fish is the eleva- 

 tion of the crown of the head into a high crest, surmounted by an exceedingly long 

 and recurved spine forming the commencement of the dorsal fin. The bones and 

 flesh are firm, the general colour is silvery, with lighter spots, but the fins are rosy ; 

 and the total length is at least 5 feet. This fish, which has been taken in the 

 Atlantic off Madeira, and also in the Sea of Japan, probably dwells at a consider- 

 able depth, although not so far down as the ribbon-fishes. Its habits are unknown. 



