242: TELEOSTEI. ACANTIIOPTEBYGII. 



lelopiped in shape, the sides and upper surface cuirassed with bone ; 

 the preorbital prolonged anteriorly into a flat projecting process. 

 One or more barbels on the lower jaw. Teeth absent. One or 

 two dorsal fins, the posterior of which is most developed. Two 

 free pectoral appendages. Body covered with bony, scale-like 

 plates. Pyloric appendages few or in moderate numbers. Air- 

 bladder present. 



Geographical Distribution. South coast of Britain, Mediterranean, 

 Atlantic and Indian Oceans. to China, and Sandwich Islands. 



1016. (1.) Peristethus halei. 



Peristethus halei, Day, Fish. India, Suppl. 1888, p. 791 (see synon.). 

 D. 7/15. V. 1/5. A. 15. L. 1. jj^j*-* 



" Preorbital processes short, their length being contained 3| times 

 between their extremity and the anterior margin of the orbit. A 

 pair of spines on the occiput, on either side of which is a low ridge 

 terminated by a small spine. Anterior vertical plates longer than 

 broad. The opercular ridge forms a strong spine. Lower jaw 

 with barbels. Colour uniform red." (Italy.) 



Hob. A single specimen taken at Galle in deep water in April, 

 1883. 



Family XXVII. CATAPHRACTI. 



Infraorbital bones articulate with the preopercle. Head and 

 body more or less angular, cuirassed with plates, or keeled scales 

 entirely cover the body. The opercular pieces may or may not be 

 anchylosed. Teeth present or absent in the jaws, in one species 

 present on the vomer. One or two dorsal fins ; ventrals thoracic, 

 with five or less rays. 



Geographical Distribution. Tropical Atlantic, Mediterranean, and 

 Indo-Pacific. 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 



A long spine at angle of preopercle. Dorsal 

 nn -with detached rays anteriorly; 

 pectorals very elongate, with the an- 

 terior portion detached and shorter 



than the rest of the fin 1. DACTYLOPTKBUS. 



Bpmeat angle of preopercle. Pectorals 

 atner elongate and with unbranched 



2. PEGASUS. 



