CATAPHRACTT. 71 



side of the body, they consist of a superior one which passes close along the base 

 of the dorsal fins to the upper edge of the tail : a similar ventral ridge along the 

 base of the anal fin, and two intermediate parallel ridges. Three short angular 

 scales on the base of the caudal fin. On the under surface, between the throat 

 and the commencement of the anal fin, are three bony plates ; the anterior is 

 2£ times longer than wide : the middle one twice as long as wide : and the 

 posterior one as long as wide. Intestines — stomach small, ccecal appendages in the 

 form of nine or ten short processes surrounding the commencement of the small 

 intestines. Air-bladder — simple. Gofers — an uniform scarlet, becoming of a flesh 

 or golden shade towards the abdomen. Anal and dorsal fins crimson : the remainder 

 pale and grayish. 



Names. — Armed or mailed-gurnard, in allusion to its cuirassed body and 

 gurnard as relating to the fishes to which it appears to be most closely allied. 



Habits. — Risso says it is present in the Mediterranean at all seasons in rocky 

 localities, its haunts are chiefly in deep water, while it approaches shallow places 

 in the spring. It is very active and restless : while its snout is frequently found 

 to be damaged, probably from its driving against rocks or stones. 



Habitat. — This fish does not appear to be rare in the Mediterranean, and 

 wanderers are occasionally taken on the south coast of Britain off Cornwall. 



Dr. Moore recorded the first British example in the autumn of 1836 taken in 

 a trawl between Plymouth and the Eddystone, it was 11 inches in length. In 

 February, 1849, a second example, 11^- inches in length, was secured in Mount's 

 Bay. Two were captured by a boat off Gorran, as mentioned by Couch, who 

 received from Penzance the specimen he has figured. 



For the example figured, I am indebted to Br. Hubrechfc, of Leyden. The 

 fish is said to attain to 2 feet in length in the Mediterranean. 



