232 MALACOPTERYGII. 



Head 1 inch 2 lines long, or rather more than one-ninth of the entire 

 length ; profile sloj)ing forward equally on both sides to the snout, which 

 is truncated, and projects 1 line beyond the lower jaw; narrow, increas- 

 ing in breadth very gradually from the snout, its breadth as 1 to 3^ of 

 its length ; height half its length, compressed at the sides, and rather flat 

 above from the eyes backward ; fi-om the eyes forward a central bony 

 ridge ; snout vieAved from above somewhat bifid in consequence of the 

 forward position of the large teeth on each side. A few large punctures 

 extend from the snout below the eye, and are continued just behind it ; 

 a series of small ones closely arranged extend from the upper portion of 

 the eye in a curved form posteriorly to near the edge of the pre-opercle, 

 and thence a double row extends downwards. Nostrils very large, placed 

 just in advance of, and before the centre of the eye, and in form a some- 

 what oval transverse aperture. Eye large, occupying the entire upper 

 half of the depth of the head ; its width greater than its height, in the 

 length of the head, occupying the place of 1 in 4i ; its distance from the 

 snout 3 lines, or equal to its diameter ; consequently 2 1 of its diameters 

 are contained between it and the edge of the operciihcm. Ojx'rciihon 

 rounded at the base, terminating above in a minute point directed back- 

 wards, strongly radiated, stn'ce distant ; pre-opcrculxni ascending verti- 

 cally; cheeks smooth and soft. Mouth rather obliquely cleft. Teeth, 

 two large strong ones, placed close together, and curving inwards at each 

 side the extremity of the upper jaw, the two inner J-th of an inch apart. 

 In the lower jaw one slender rounded tooth, nearly 1 line long on each 

 side, curving outwards at the base, and inwards at the point. Entire 

 upper and under jaw and vomer densely studded with small bluntish 

 teeth, somewhat uniform in size ; vomer extending far forward, and very 

 much developed, forming a cavity in the lower jaw, and in advance of the 

 tongue when the mouth is closed ; a series of rows of teeth similar to 

 those last described on the palatine bones ; all the teeth of the upper jaw 

 exposed to view when the mouth is closed. Tongue short, not reaching 

 within 2^ lines of the extremity of the lower jaw, and apparently tooth- 

 less. On the dorsal ridge, 1 inch from the snout, or 2^ lines behind the 

 cranium, is a short, stout, bony spine, not very conspicuous, and, except- 

 ing its exti'eme point, covered with skin : it is (3 lines in advance of the 

 first ray of the dorsal fin. Scales none * (?) Lateral line inconspicuous, 

 being a slight depression extending in a straight line along the middle of 

 the sides posteriorly, or throughout the greater portion of its length, but 

 anteriorly nearer to the dorsal than the ventral profile. Vent 1 inch 3 

 lines from the extremity of the lower jaw. Branchiostegous membrane 

 opens forward rather before the extremity of the gape. Dorsal fin com- 

 mencing 1 inch 6 lines from the snout, low at its origin, but gradually in- 

 creasing in height to near the caudal fin, Avhich it joins ; the two or three 

 anterior rays, which are very short, flexible, and simple f (?), remainder 

 articulated. Anal fin originates just behind the vent, or at 1 inch 3 lines 

 from the point of the lower jaw, joins the caudal fin, near to which it in- 

 creases in depth posteriorly from its origin, deej^er than the dorsal fin 

 throughout ; about H inch from the caudal fin the rays are in length 

 four times greater than the depth of the body at the same place, the rays 



* It must be observed, that had the specimen possessed scales of the same 

 nature as those of the Cepola riihescens (Yarr. Brit. Fish., vol. i. p. 197), it may 

 have been divested of them during its short exposure on the beach. 



t As in Cepola rubcscens. 



