146 ICHTHYOLOGY 
concave ; the ventral spine is rather large, and covered with 
strong spines disposed in a starlike way ; the diameter of the 
orbit is contained twice and a quarter in the snout ; the teeth 
are large and pointed ; the spine of the dorsal is rather 
arched ; its length is equal to the distance from the 
extremity of the snout to the centre of the eye ; it is granu- 
lated, and the posterior barbs are long ; there is a second ray 
to the first fin ; the second dorsal is high and formed of thirty 
rays ; the anal of the same form with twenty-seven rays ; the 
caudal is rounded and formed of twelve rays ; its length is 
equal to the distance from the extremity of the snout to the 
anterior margin of the eye; the pectorals are formed of 
thirteen rays ; they are inserted on the vertical of the dorsal 
spinel which would pass over the centre of the orbit ; no extra 
spines on the tail. 
The colour in spirits is of a dark brown, with the lower 
parts rather lighter ; the fins yellow. 
The size of the specimen is about six inches ; found in the 
rivers. 
MONACANTHUS DISTORTUS. 
I have only seen one specimen, in a very incomplete state, of 
this most singular fish; the upper part of the skin of the 
head has been eaten by some insects, and the bone only 
remain ; the fins are also very incomplete. 
The form has something of the one of Sternoptyx Hermanni 
on account of its oblique form ; the upper profile of the head 
being about straight aud oblique up to the dorsal spine; 
behind this is a very strong gap or emargination, and from 
this the profile is very gibbous and elevated ; this part of the 
body being much higher than the head ; the tail is short and 
high, almost square ; the lower profile is very much developed 
in a large rounded ventral pouch, which ends on the vertical 
from the dorsal spine ; there is no starlike ventral spine ; the 
profile becomes all at once almost perpendicular inwardly, 
forming a gap corresponding to the one of the back, and from 
thence it extends with a rounded form to the tail ; the height 
taken at the base of the dorsal spine is equal to nine-tenths the 
