FisiiKs -WArric. 



way between the last named spines and the dorsal, is a pair of 

 flattcMied spines, converging anteriorly. On the posterior rim of 

 the eye is another trifurcated spine succeeded on the temporal by 

 a jagged flattened series, and in the same line another immediately 

 at the origin of the lateral line. Two opercular spines, the u])pei' 

 simple, on the su23erior edge; the lower longer and provided half 

 way between its point and the eye by a supplemental spine, con- 

 nected by a prominent ridge which may also be spinous. A row 

 of jagged spines runs from the preorbital horizontally to a point 

 in advance of, and above the upper preopercular spine, and gives 

 off two downwardly directed spines over the centre of the maxilla. 



Preopercle armed with four spines, the upper the largest and 

 reinforced like the lower opercular ; the next two are rather 

 jagged, while the lower is simple and obtuse. A large flattened 

 spine on the clavicle, above the origin of the pectoral. Lateral 

 line unarmed, excepting quite anteriorly, where feeble spines are 

 developed. 



Teeth cardiform in the jaws, in a triangular band on the 

 vomer, and in bands on the palatines curved anteriorly. 



The dorsal commences above the inner angle of the opercle ; the 

 fourth spine is the longest, twice the diameter of the eye and 

 much longer than the longest ray ; the twelfth spine is two- 

 thirds the length of the thirteenth, which is equal to the first. 

 The base of the spinous portion is more than three times that 

 of the soft, which is not attached to the tail. 



The anal commences beneath the twelfth dorsal spine ; the 

 second spine is the longest, 1-7 in the fourth and equal to the 

 ninth dorsal spine, or one-third in the length of the head ; the 

 third anal is not much shorter than the second. The rays are 

 equal to those of the dorsal. 



The ventral does not reach the vent, its length being 1 "57 in 

 that of the head ; the spine is very strong and equal to the second 

 dorsal; it originates quite close to the lower pectoral ray. 



The pectoral is a trifle longer than the ventral and reaches to 

 the vent ; the six or seven lower rays are simple. The caudal is 

 gently rounded, the least height of its pedicel being 3 "4 in that 

 of the body. 



The lateral line at its highest point is concealed by the oper- 

 cular flap. 



Scales. — Entire head, including the snout and maxilla, covered 

 with ciliated scales, each with a central depression, and the 

 margin conspicuously raised so as to give the head a very scabrous 

 appearance. The mandible is scaleless and the inferior margin 

 has four equidistant pairs of large muciferous pores. The scales 

 on the body are larger, deeper and less raised, those on the throat 

 and at the base of the pectoral, much smaller. 



