LOPHIUS UPSICEPHALUS.— Smith. 



Pisces. — Plate IX. 



L. 'supra pallide flavo-brunneus ; subtus purpureo-griseus flavo-brunneo-tinctus ; oculis lucide viridi-albis- 

 Longhtudo ad apicem pinnse caudalis, 28 \ una 



Colour. — The upper and lateral parts of the head, together with the back 

 and sides of the body and the fins yellowish brown ; the sides of the head 

 posteriorly and the sides of the body lightest ; the under surface of the 

 head, body, and pectoral fins pearl-grey, tinted with yellowish brown. The 

 filaments disposed upon the sides of the body and edges of the lower jaws, 

 dark yellowish brown ; the spinous tentacula on the head and anterior part 

 of the back, light yellowish brown. Eyes greenish white, with a metallic 

 lustre. Teeth amber-coloured. 



Form, &c. — Head very bulky as compared with the body, and posteriorly 

 nearly as high as broad ; the outline, when viewed from above, is somewhat 

 oval, and broadest behind. The upper surface of the head is much narrower than 

 the under surface ; nearly flat and slopes gradually from the vertex to the muz- 

 zle ; the sides are subvertical, or slightly convex, and diverge as they descend, 

 The lateral boundaries of the upper surface of the head is distinctly defined 

 by the angle which is formed by the junction of the upper surface and the 

 sides, and posteriorly each of these lines of demarcation are armed with three 

 short obtuse spines ; the foremost one is situated nearly over the eye, the 

 second about two inches behind it, and the third at the hinder part of 

 the vertex, considerably nearer to the centre of the head than the middle 

 one, and not very distant from its fellow of the opposite side. The relative 

 positions of these spines are well represented in the Plate. In addition to 

 these there are two other spines of rather a stronger description ; but, like 

 them, short and obtuse, one immediately behind the anterior and superior 

 extremity of each maxillary bone, and rather below the line which marks the 

 upper surface of the head (vide Plate). The gape is moderately large, but 

 not very broad ; the opening of the month is directed obliquely upwards 

 and forwards ; and the lower jaw projects considerably beyond the upper. 

 The symphisis of the lower jaw is narrow, the rami are arched and gradually 

 curved upwards, and the jaw, when viewed as a whole, has a triangular form, 

 the symphisis constituting the apex. The intermaxillary bones form the an- 

 terior edges of the upper jaw, and support the majority of the teeth with which 



