NEW OR INSUFFICIENTLY DESCRIBED FISHES. 57 
eye-diameter. Snout obtuse, one fifth wider than long, its depth 
1*4 in its length ; eyes separated by a narrow groove, its width 365 
in the eye-diameter, which is 1'25 in the length of the snout and 3"4 
in the width of the head ; orbital ridges elevated, extending round 
the upper half of the eye ; rostral ridges short and well developed. 
Maxillary extending to below the nostril. Preopercular spine 
strong, the free portion shorter than the eye-diameter, its distal 
extremity curved upward, its upper border with 5 strong teeth 
graduated upwards from the base ; a short stout antrorse spine at 
the base below. Occiput rather weakly ridged and pitted, smooth 
to the touch. Lateral line curved downward anteriorly, straight 
from above the pectoral fin ; nuchal branch straight and incon- 
spicuous ; cephalic extension curved downward to the upper angle of 
the preopercle, where it bifurcates, the anterior branch entering the 
postero-inferior angle of the orbit, the hinder branch descending 
vertically to the base of the preopercular spine, and throwing off a 
short ramule across the opercle. 
Origin of spinous dorsal midway between the soft dorsal and 
the gill-opening ; spinous dorsal low, none of the spines filamentous, 
the first the longest, not extending backward beyond the base of the 
fin, which is subequal to the free interdorsal space ; last spine short, 
with fully developed membrane. 80ft dorsal moderate, the rays 
simple except the last, increasing in length to the fourth, beyond 
which they decrease by a feeble gradation to the seventh, whence 
they rise to the last, which equals the fourth but does not reach to 
the caudal ; base of soft dorsal less than its distance from the eye. 
Caudal rounded. Anal originating below the third dorsal ray and 
terminating well behind that fin, the rays simple or feebly branched 
at the extremities, similar to but lower and a little shorter than the 
soft dorsal, its base 1*85 in its distance from the tip of the man- 
dible ; last ray extending to the base of the caudal. Pectoral fin 
cuneate, inserted below the anterior dorsal spines, all the rays 
except the first divided, the seventh and eighth longest, reaching to 
below the fifth dorsal ray. Ventral rays profusely branched, the 
fourth and fifth equal and longest, extending to the vent. 
Grill-openings superior, small and slit-like, far in advance of the 
spinous dorsal, as far apart as the length of the snout, and nearer 
to the eye than to the pectoral or dorsal fins. 
