230 TELEOSTEI. ACAXTHOPTERYGII. 



two on the subopercle. Snout broad, depressed, surrounded by 

 tentacles, which are most distinct along the edge of the mandible, 

 some also round the eye, and numerous fine ones over the sur- 

 face of the head. No foramen in axilla. Teeth two or more 

 rows of teeth in the centre of either jaw, a single row laterally, 

 those in the mandibles the largest and directed a _ little inwards ; 

 two rows of teeth on vorner; a single one on palatines. Fins as 

 in the last species. Colour light reddish brown, marbled darker. 



Hamilton Buchanan observed that this fish is an ugly animal, 

 does not exceed a span in length, and when frightened emits a 

 remarkable creaking noise. 



Hab. Estuaries of the Ganges and other large Indian and Burmese 

 rivers ; attaining at least a foot in length. 



Family XXV. PEDICULATI. 



Branchiostegals five or six ; pseudobranchise absent. Skeleton 

 fibro-osseous. Head and anterior portion of the body large, the 

 former depressed or compressed. Gills two and a half or three 

 and a half; gill-opening reduced to a small foramen, situated in or 

 near the axilla. Teeth minute, villiform or cardiform. The spiuous 

 dorsal, when present, composed of a few isolated spines ; the 

 carpal bones prolonged, forming a sort of arm for the pectoral fin ; 

 ventrals, when present, jugular, with four or five soft rays. Air- 

 bladder present or absent. Pyloric appendages few or absent. 

 Geof/raphical Distribution. All seas. 



The modified dermoneurals, forming the cephalic tentacles of 

 Antennarius, are reproduced when injured (Owen). These fishes 

 attach themselves to any object by means of their pectoral and 

 ventral fins, and Mr. Whitmee observed that one placed in a basin 

 containing about a pint of water produced so strong a current by 

 sucking in water with its expansive jaws and subsequently expelling 

 it with much force through the branchial orifice that a rapid rotatory 

 motion was produced. The gulf-weed (Saryassum bacciferum) 

 assists the migration of these fishes ; during the winter months the 

 prevailing gales bring to the islands of the Bermudas large fields as 

 well as isolated patches of weed, on which many fishes find a home 

 and among them Antennarius. Here it makes its wonderful nest 

 suspended by means of silk-like fibres, which prove strong enough 

 to support the large bunches of eggs that hang like grape-clusters 

 within their orbicular case (see J. M. Jones, ' Nature,' February 

 20, 1879, xix. p. 363) ; and M. Vaillant has shown that " each nest 

 is made of one seaweed, the different twigs being brought together 

 and made fast to each other by the fish by means of a pasty sort 

 of substance provided by the animal itself " (' Nature,' December 

 29, 1837, xxxvii, p. 208). 



