THE TBIGLIDiB OR GURNARDS. 53 



and insisted upon by the first ichthyologists, that we 

 feel no hesitation in restoring them to their station in 

 the series : these and a few other alterations will^ as we 

 beheve,, render the Canthileptes one of the most natural 

 groups in ichthyology. If we had any material doubts^ 

 they would be directed to the singidar genus Ryncthytys, 

 an obvious representation of Xiphias : some such form 

 seems necessary to connect Lepidoleprus with Peristedion, 

 two genera which, in all their essential characters^ obvi- 

 ously belong to this tribe. 



(52.) The leading divisions of the Canthileptes, as 

 here arranged^ are as follows : — 1 , The TriglidcB or 

 gurnards, having the body entirely covered by small 

 prickly scales^ very compactly arranged, and generally 

 accompanied by rows of spines, placed along the lateral 

 line. 2. The Scorpcenidce, or spine heads^ having much 

 of the general aspect of the gurnards, but with the body 

 much thicker, and miarmed with pointed scales. In 

 both these, the head is defended by bony plates, ending 

 in numerous spines and sharp prickles ; while the 

 pectoral fins, always large, are often enormously deve- 

 loped; these fins, Kkewise, are often accompanied by 

 certain finger-hke processes at their base, which are not 

 connected by any membrane, and seem to be merely a 

 prolongation of the lower rays of the pectorals, un- 

 usually developed. These processes disappear in the three 

 aberrant divisions, represented by the CottidcB or bull- 

 heads^ where the ventrals are imperfect^ and but of few 

 rays, the Agonidce, or mailed fish hitherto included 

 with the last, and the Lepidolepres, or sword gurnards, 

 having the snout lengthened, the body eel-shapedj and 

 the scales almost mailed, as in the TriglidcB. 



(^5S.) The Triglid^^ or g-urnards^ are well known 

 inhabitants of temperate seas ; and those found upon our 

 own coasts have been recently so well Olustrated, that little 

 of a popular nature need here be said upon them. 

 Scientifically, they may be considered as composed of 

 five genera, differing from all others of this tribe * by 



* Except the Agonidce just mentioned, 

 E 3 



