SCORP^NIDiai. SCORP^MxNiE. 263 



Cephalocanthus Lac. Pectoral fins much smaller ; digi- 

 tated processes wanting. 



C. spinarella. Lac. Cuv. pi. 73. 77. 



Oplicthys Cuv. General form of Peristidion, but the 

 head is much broader ; the body very slender, length- 

 ened, and marked with large plates ; a row of sharp 

 spines form the lateral line ; pectoral fin moderate, 

 very broad at the base ; and extended towards the 

 throat, but without any digitated processes ; second 

 dorsal and anal fins very long ; caudal • ■ ? 



O. Langsdorfii. Cuv. pi. 81. 



Rhynchichtys CwTJ. Body ovate-fusiform ; upper jaw 

 projecting considerably beyond the lower ,• the tip 

 pointed, but the crown broad and sulcated ; eyes 

 enormous ; scales regular, hard, and ciliated at their 

 edges; operculum and interoperculum with strong 

 spines, and deeply serrated edges ; dorsal fins two, 

 united.* 



R. pelamidis. Cuv. and VaL pi. 2G4. 



Family 3. SCORP^NIDiE, 



No digitated processes ; caudal fin rounded ; scales 

 smooth ; eyes prominent, placed near the crown, on an 

 elevated ridge of the head ; pectorals often long ; always 

 very broad at the base, and extended towards the throat ; 

 head armed with obtuse tubercles and scattered spines. 



1. SuBFAM. SCORP^NINiE. 



Head compressed ; mouth opening horizontally ; body, 

 in general, covered with smooth scales ; eyes lateral ; 

 pectoral fins with some of the lower rays detached, but 

 destitute of digitated processes. 



Ptebois Cuv. Dorsal and pectoral fins very large, 



* The affinities of these two last genera are somewhat uncertain. Rhyn- 

 ckicktys obviously represents the sword-fish. 



s 4 



