ACANTHOPTERYGII 



699 



The common Lump-Sucker of our coasts (Cyclopterus lumpus) 

 is the largest member of the group, growing to a length of 2 

 feet or more. The male makes pits in the sand between stones, 

 in which the female deposits the eggs ; he watches over the eggs 

 and also over the young, which cling to his body with their 

 suckers. The "Sea-Snails" {Liparis), are represented by two 

 species on the British coasts. 



Fig. 425. — Cyclopterus lumpus. 



Fam. 7. Platycephalidae. — Head not cuirassed, much 

 depressed, with spines ; basis cranii simple ; two nostrils on each 

 side. Gill-membranes free ; gills 4 ; pseudobranchiae present. 

 Vertebrae 27 ; ribs all sessile, bearing the epipleurals. Post-tem- 

 poral forked ; scapula and coracoid well developed, in contact with 

 each other ; pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and on 4 short 

 and broad pterygiale, 2 of which are in contact with the coracoid. 

 Ventral fins widely separated, behind the pectorals, with 1 

 spine and 5 soft rays. Spinous dorsal shorter than the soft; 

 anal without spines. Body covered with small scales. 



The single genus Flatycejyhalus, with some 40 species, 

 inhabits the coasts of the Indian Ocean and the Western 

 Pacific. 



Fam. 8. Hoplichthyidae. — Head incompletely cuirassed, much 

 depressed, with spines ; basis cranii simple ; two nostrils on each 

 side. Gill-membranes attached to isthmus; gills 4; pseudo- 

 branchiae present. Vertebrae about 30, the praecaudals with 

 transverse processes. Post-temporal fused with the skull ; scapula 

 and coracoid in contact with each other ; pectoral rays inserted on 

 the scapula and on 3 plate-like pterygials. Ventral fins widely 

 separated, a little before the pectorals, with 1 spine and 5 soft 



