scoepjEnid^. 415 



sand, and in moving along the bottom. The type of their 

 coloration is very much the same in all the species, viz. an 

 irregular motthng of red, yellow-, brown, and black colours, 

 but the distribution of these colours varies exceedingly, not 

 only in the same species but also in the same individuals. 

 They do not attain to any considerable size, probably never 

 exceeding a length of 18 inches. Their flesh is weU flavoured. 

 Wounds inflicted by their fin-spines are exceedingly painful, 

 but not followed by serious consequences. 



Glyptauchen and Lioscorpius are genera closely allied to 

 Scorjja'na, from Australian seas. 



Setarches is also allied to the preceding genera, and pro- 

 vided with very large eyes, in accordance with the depth 

 (215 fathoms) which the two species known at present 

 inhabit; one has been found near Madeira, the other near 

 the Pidji Islands. 



Pterois. — Head and body compressed ; scales of small or 

 moderate size. Bones of the head armed with numerous spinous 

 projections, between which often skinny tentacles are developed. 

 The dorsal spines and pectoral rays are more or less prolonged, 

 passing beyond the margin of the connecting membrane. Twelve 

 or thirteen dorsal spines. Yilliform teeth in the jaws and on 

 the vomer. 



'Nine species are known from the tropical Indo-Pacific. 

 They belong to the most singularly formed and most beauti- 

 fully coloured fishes of the Tropics, and formerly were 

 believed to be able to fiy, Like Dactylopterus. But the 

 membrane connecting theu- pectoral rays is much too short 

 and feeble to enable them to raise themselves from the 

 surface of the water. 



Apistus. — Head and body compressed, covered with ctenoid 

 scales of rather small size. Some bones of the head, and 

 especially the prseorbital, are armed with spines. One dorsal 

 with fifteen spines ; the anal with three. The pectoral fin is 

 elongate, and one ray is completely detached from the fin. 



