MAILED GURNARD. 13 



the scales, forming in continuous lines the eight angles of 

 the body, projects a sharp-pointed process directed back- 

 wards ; the scales vary in number on the different angles 

 from twenty- three to thirty. 



The fin-ray formula, according to Cuvier, is as follows : — 

 D. 7, 19 : P. 12. 2 : V. 1 -j-5 : A. 18 : C n : Vert. 43. 



The first dorsal fin has seven rays, but the point of dis- 

 tinction between the first and second dorsal fins is liable to 

 some misconception, as it is only indicated by a decrease in 

 the extent or elevation of the connecting membrane. Five 

 or six of the rays of the first dorsal fin end in elongated 

 flexible filaments, as shown in the figure. It is supposed 

 that the males only in this species have these filaments 

 elongated, the rays in the females remaining short, and this 

 may account for some differences that appear in the repre- 

 sentations given by some of the authors herein referred to. 

 The second dorsal fin usually contains eighteen or nineteen 

 short rays. The pectoral fin is stated by Cuvier to contain 

 twelve rays, but his figure in illustration exhibits but 

 ten rays, and I find there are ten rays in the pectoral 

 fin in the Mediterranean specimen before referred to ; Dr. 

 Moore's fish is described as possessing but eight rays ; they 

 appear therefore liable to variation ; the free rays common 

 to the Gurnards are in this species limited to two ; between 

 the ventral fins is an elongated and flattened sternum ; the 

 body ends at the tail in three short projecting spines on each 

 side of the base of the caudal rays ; the form of the tail is 

 lunate. Dr. Moore says of his fish that " its colour, when 

 fresh, was of a uniform scarlet, like the Red Gurnard, gra- 

 dually softening to pale flesh colour towards the abdomen ; 

 the anal and dorsal fins were crimson ; but the others pale 

 and greyish. 



