COMMERSONIAN SCORPvENA. 271 



triangular, flat, and sharp spines : between the 

 eyes are situated four fringed cirri, and four others.; 

 of similar form but smaller, are placed on the upper 

 lip ; while several more are disposed along the 

 lateral line : the body is covered with scales of 

 moderate size : the first part of the dorsal fin, which 

 is of a rounded form, is furnished with spiny rays, 

 and the tail is also rounded : the general colour of 

 the fish is a very deep or blackish brown, and on 

 the pectoral fms are a few small brown spots : size 

 not mentioned : native of the American seas. 



COMMERSONIAN SCORPjENA. 



Scorpana Commersonii. S. corpore pinnisque fusco fiavoque traiis- 

 versim fasciatis, superciliis serratisy maxilla superiore cirrosa. 



Scorpsena with the body and fins transversly banded with brown 

 and yellow, serrated eyebrows, and bearded upper lip. * 



La Scorpene Mahe. Cepede 3. p. 



Described by Cepede from the manuscripts of 

 Commerson : the back is arched and carinated • 

 the lateral line curving downwards : body covered 

 with small scales : head large, and armed with 

 numerous spines : orbits of the eyes elevated, and 

 forming two denticulated crests, with a furrow be- 

 tween them : lower jaw somewhat longer than the 

 upper, which is extensile and furnished on each 

 side with three or four beards : teeth very small and 

 close : nostrils each marked by a small filament : 

 gill-covers each composed of two plates, the first of 



