232 
MALACOPTERYGIL 
Head 1 inch 2 lines long, or rather more than one-ninth of the entire 
length ; profile sloping forward equally on both sides to the snout, which 
is truncated, and projects 1 line beyond the lower jaw; narrow, increas- 
ing in breadth very gradually from the snout, its breadth as 1 to 3^ of 
its length ; height half its length, compressed at the sides, and rather flat 
above from the eyes backward ; from the eyes forward a central bony 
ridge ; snout viewed from above somewhat bifid in consequence of the 
forward position of the large teeth on each side. A few large punctures 
extend from the snout below the eye, and are continued just behind it ; 
a series of small ones closely arranged extend from the upper portion of 
the eye in a curved form posteriorly to near the edge of the pre-opercle, 
and thence a double row extends downwards. Nostrils very large, placed 
just in advance of, and before the centre of the eye, and in form a some- 
what oval transverse aperture. Eye large, occupying the entire upper 
half of the depth of the head ; its width greater than its height, in the 
length of the head, occupying the place of 1 in 4£ ; its distance from the 
snout 3 lines, or equal to its diameter ; consequently 2f of its diameters 
are contained between it and the edge of the operculum. Operculum 
rounded at the base, terminating above in a minute point directed back- 
wards, strongly radiated, strice distant ; pre-operculum ascending verti- 
cally; cheeks smooth and soft. Mouth rather obliquely cleft. Teeth, 
two large strong ones, placed close together, and curving inwards at each 
side the extremity of the upper jaw, the two inner Jg-th of an inch apart. 
In the lower jaw one slender rounded tooth, nearly 1 line long on each 
side, curving outwards at the base, and inwards at the point. Entire 
upper and under jaw and vomer densely studded with small bluntish 
teeth, somewhat uniform in size ; vomer extending far forward, and very 
much developed, forming a cavity in the lower jaw, and in advance of the 
tongue when the mouth is closed ; a series of rows of teeth similar to 
those last described on the palatine bones ; all the teeth of the upper jaw 
exposed to view when the mouth is closed. Tongue short, not reaching 
within 2i lines of the extremity of the lower jaw, and apparently tooth- 
less. On the dorsal ridge, 1 inch from the snout, or 21 lines behind the 
cranium , is a short, stout, bony spine, not very conspicuous, and, except- 
ing its extreme point, covered with skin : it is 6 lines in advance of the 
first ray of the dorsal fin. Scales none * (?) Lateral line inconspicuous, 
being a slight depression extending in a straight line along the middle of 
the sides posteriorly, or throughout the greater portion of its length, but 
anteriorly nearer to the dorsal than the ventral profile. Vent 1 inch 3 
lines from the extremity of the lower jaw. Branchiostegous membrane 
opens forward rather before the extremity of the gape. Dorsal fin com- 
mencing 1 inch 6 lines from the snout, low at its origin, but gradually in- 
creasing in height to near the caudal fin, which it joins ; the two or three 
anterior rays, which are very short, flexible, and simple f (?), remainder 
articulated. Anal fin originates just behind the vent, or at 1 inch 3 lines 
from the point of the lower jaw, joins the caudal fin, near to which it in- 
creases in depth posteriorly from its origin, deeper than the dorsal fin 
throughout ; about 1§ inch from the caudal fin the rays are in length 
four times greater than the depth of the body at the same place, the rays 
* It must be observed, that had the specimen possessed scales of the same 
nature as those of the Cepola rubescens (Yarr. Brit. Fish., vol. i. p. 197), it may 
have been divested of them during its short exposure on the beach, 
t As in Cepola rubescens . 
