318 — = Storer on the 
matter of the surface tinges the fingers when rubbed 
upon it. Surface of body destitute of scales, gran- 
ulated, and studded with innumerable tubercles, 
which are quite large high up on the back, and very 
small or almost entirely disappearing beneath the 
lateral line. Head large, spinous, hideous in ap- 
pearance. Length of head to entire length of body, 
measuring to posterior extremity of operculum, nearly 
as one to four: width of head across opercula equal 
to its length. Twelve, more or less prominent, 
blunted spinous tubercles on each side of median 
line of head, the sharpest pointed, just back of nos- 
trils: the largest, at posterior angles of eyes, and 
just in front of dorsal fin. Fleshy cirrhi are sus- 
pended from several portions of the head, such as 
anterior and posterior angles of eyes and about snout : 
those hanging from over eyes appear like à broad 
fringe. Orbitarcavity large. Eyes moderate in size, 
pupils black, irides yellowish brown. Distance be- 
tween superior angle of eyes rather less than one 
fourth the length of the head: space between eyes 
deeply depressed. Operculum, at its posterior angle, 
armed with two strong spines, similar to those of 
the “Cottus.” Jaws about equal in length: twelve 
` digitated cirrhi are suspended from under jaw. 
Mouth very large. Teeth in jaws and palate nu- 
merous, sharp, recurved: teeth also in pharynx. 
The lateral line, which is tubercular, commences 
just above posterior angle of operculum, and curv- 
ing with the body, terminates at the base of the 
caudal rays. A strong spinous tubercle arises from 
humeral bone. 
