116 FISH AND FISH-LIKE ANIMALS OF N.S.W., 



Order SCLEROPAREI. 

 A large and diversified group, known as the Mailed-eheek Fishes, in which 

 a posterior projection from the suborbital bones extends backward across the 

 cheek to the preopereuluin. A scheme for the classification of the Order has 

 been compiled by Regan (A.M.N.H. (8) xi., 1913, p. 169). The following pro- 

 visional key is applicable to the species of New South Wales only. 



A. Head not markedly depressed, deeper than broad. 

 B. Head not completely encased in bony armature. 



C. Body partly or entirely scaly. Fam. Scorpaenidae (cxlv.). 



CC. Body naked. 



D. Ventral fins present. Fam. Aploactidae (cxlvi.). 



DD. No ventral fins. Fam. Pataecidae (cxlvii.). 



BB. Head completely encased in bony armour. 



E. Two anterior dorsal spines separate ; pectoral reaching tail. 



Fam. Ciphalacanthidae (cxlviii.). 

 EE. No detached dorsal spines; pectorals not reaching tail. 



Fam. Triglidae (cxlix.h 

 AA. Head greatly depressed, much broader than deep. 



F. Body naked, with a row of spinate bucklers on each side. 



Fam. Hoplichthyidae (cl.). 

 FF. Body scaly, without enlarged bucklers. Fam. Platycephalidae (cli.). 



CXLV. Family Scorpaenidae. 



A. Dorsal spines not greatly produced, largely united by membrane. 

 B. Less than 15 dorsal spines. 

 C. 12 dorsal spines. 



D. Bony stay of cheek with several spines; lower part of operculum 

 naked. Scorpaena (335). 



DD. Bony stay of cheek nearly smooth; lower part of operculum 

 scaly. Helicolenus (336). 



CC. 13 dorsal spines. 



E. Palatine teeth present. Neosebasles (337). 

 EE. Palatines toothless. Scorpaenodes (338). 



BB. 15 or more dorsal spines. 



F. A broad and deep hollow on the nape behind the eyes. 



Glyptauchen (339). 

 FF. No such hollow across the nape. 



G. Back scaly anteriorly, 15 dorsal spines. Eotesthes (340). 



GG. Back naked anteriorly, 16 dorsal spines. Centropogon (341). 



AA. Dorsal spines long and slender, united by membrane only at their bases. 



Pierois (342). 



335. Scorpaena Linne, Syst. Nat. 10th ed., 1758, p. 266 (porcus). 

 A. 50-55 scales in a row below the lateral line. cardinalis (335a). 



AA. 45 or less scales in a row below the lateral line. cruenta (335b). 



335a. S. cardinalis. Red Rockcod. Id. Richardson, A.M.N.H. is., 1842, 

 p. 212. S. jacksoniensis Steindachner, Sitzb. Akad. Wiss. Wien liii., 

 1866, p. 438, pi. 3, 2-2a (PI. xxxviii.). 



A rock fish, plentiful in the markets, and reaching 18 inches in length. 



335b. S. cruenta. Id. Richardson, A.M.N.H., ix., 1842, p. 217. S. 



militaris Richardson, Ichth. Erebus & Terror, 1845, p. 22, pi. 14, 1-2. 

 A southern species, apparently rare in this State. 



(S. bynoensis Richardson, has been incorrectly recorded from Fort Jackson — 

 vide McCulloch, Rec. W. Austr. Mus. i. 2, 1912, p. 96). 



