SPUR-FISH. 
belly, or laid almost parallel with them. It 
has a lateral line on each side, marked on it's 
scales from head to tail. The forehead is re- 
markably prominent ; the rtiouth turns a little 
upward ; and the nostrils are somewhat above 
the mouth. Behind the eyes, on each side, it 
has a large bony scale, which has the appear- 
ance of an ear, though it is firmly fixed to 
the head on it's under side ; it's shape and ra^ ^ 
diation, see expressed in the figure. It has 
broad an<l firm scales all over the body : each 
scale appears radiated, when magnified, like 
the scales behind the eyes. The figure shews 
the appearance of the gills, which are reddish. 
From the upper spur on the middle of the 
back, almost to the tail, there passes a fin of a ' 
reddish colour. The tali was a little broken, 
while dry, which I have restored by conjec- 
ture. Near the gills, on the under side, it has 
a pair of longisli narrow fins ; and, on the 
middle of the belly, another pair, a little smal- 
ler. Near the vent, is placed the lower spur; 
from which there passes a single fin, almost 
to the fin of the tail. The tail and lower fins 
are reddish. It is a pretty thick-bodied fish," 
