232 ZOOLOGY. 



enout, which is rounded and obtuse, slightly overlaps the lower jaw, which is thus entirely- 

 concealed when the tish is viewed from above. The mouth is of medium size ; its angles do 

 not reach the anterior margin of the oi'bit. Tire posterior extremity of the upper maxillary 

 extends to a vertical line, which would intersect the pupil. The teetli on both of tlie jaws, as 

 well as those on the front of the vomer and on the palatines, are small and more card than vel- 

 vet-like. They cover an elongated and narrow area along the palatines. The posterior nostril 

 is the largest, subtriangular in shape, and situated close to the anterior rim of the orbit ; the 

 anterior nostril is circular, and opens a little in advance of the latter. The eye is subcircular, 

 approximating the upper outline of the profile ; its horizontal diameter enters five times in the 

 length of the side of the head. The inferior edge of the suborbitals is minutely serrated; these 

 bones overlap considerably the upper maxillary when the mouth is shut. The limb of the 

 preopercle exhibits small and closely set serratures upon its ascending branch, whilst the 

 inferior and horizontal branch is provided with fewer spines directed downwards and slightly 

 forwards. Minute serratures may be observed upon the exterior edge of both the inter and 

 subopercles. The opercle is trapezoid, and obliquely traversed by a flattened spine in close 

 union with that bone, allowing its extremity only to project beyond its margin just above the 

 upper extremity of the subopercle. The interopercle is a well developed piece of the apparatus 

 of which it constitutes a part. The thoracic belt is robust; the serratures of the suprascapular 

 are consiiicuous, and the coracoid sends oif quite a broad expansion above the base of the pec- 

 toral fins, the margin of which expansion is provided with minute sjiines. The branchial 

 aperture is wide ; there being no isthmus under the throat. The branchiostegals, seven in num- 

 ber, are .slender and flattened upon the posterior half. 



The distance between the origin of the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout is equal to 

 the combined base of both dorsals. There are eleven spiny rays, eight of which constituting 

 what may properly be considered as the first dorsal fin ; the ninth and tenth seem rather to fill 

 up the space between the two fins, and the eleventh occupies the anterior margin of the second 

 dorsal. The first ray is short and equal in height to the eighth, but more slender; the second 

 is a little higher than the sixth; the seventh being intermediate between the sixth and eighth; 

 the third is the liighest of all, and thrice as high as the first; the fourth is slightly shorter 

 than the third, and the fifth intermediate between the fourth and sixth. The upper outline of 

 that tin is consequently very convex. The membrane between the rays is deeply indentated. 

 There is no vacant area between the first and second dorsals; as already observed, there are 

 two slender spines, shorter than tlie eighth, which connect these two fins; their direction or 

 inclination seems more alike the rays of the second dorsal than those of the first. Tlie eleventh 

 spine, that which forms the anterior margin of the soft dorsal, is about the same height as the 

 eighth. The second dorsal is higher than its base is long, though not quite as high as the 

 highest spine of the anterior dorsal. Its upper margin is slightly convex ; its soft rays are 

 twice bifurcated, except the anterior one, which is simple; the anterior branch of the second 

 ray remains also simple. The last ray being double, its posterior branch divides but once ; 

 whilst its anterior portion divides once upon its posterior division, and twice upon its anterior, 

 alike the other rays. The anal is preceded by three spines; the anterior one being the shortest, 

 is immediately opposite the anterior margin of second dorsal ; the second spine is nearly twice 

 as long as the first, whilst the third is a little shorter than the second ; the membrane which 

 unites them is deeply indentated. The soft portion of the anal is deeper than tlie second dorsal 

 is high, and deeper than its own base, equal, however, in depth to the base of the whole fin, 

 its spiny rays included. The tips of its soft rays project a little further posteriorly than those 

 of the second dorsal. The bifurcation of the soft rays is similar to what is observed in the 

 second dorsal. The caudal is broad and moderately long, being contained about six times and 

 a half in the total length. Its posterior margin is subcrescentic or else moderately emargin- 

 ated, the lobes being rather obtuse. The central rays bifurcate thrice upon their length. The 

 insertion of the ventrals corresponds to the base of the pectorals. The spine which occupies 



