SCORPJ5NID2E. 
577 
II. Post-temporal almost or completely fused 
with cranial roof, and supraclavicle dis- 
placed backwards so that post-temporal 
and clavicle are in contact. 
V ertebral transverse processes short or absent ; 
no anal fin-spines ; scaly or only with 
bony plates along- lateral line - . . . . TnrGLiM: (p. 585). 
Family SCORPiENID/E. 
Head more or less armed with spines ; mouth large and terminal, 
with minute teeth. Vertebrae 24 to 31 in total number, those of 
abdominal region with transverse processes supporting ribs. Post- 
temporal bone free from cranium, and supraclaviclo normal. 
Large pectoral fins with pelvic fins directly beneath ; dorsal fin 
much extended, with 8 to 16 strong spines ; anal fin with 3 spines. 
Trunk covered with a regular squamation or naked. 
These are marine fishes of wide distribution and varied habit. 
Five supposed extinct genera are known by unsatisfactory frag- 
ments, but only one of them is represented in the Collection. 
A figure of the skeleton of the existing Scorpwna is given by 
Agassiz, Poiss. Foss. vol. iv. pi. L, fig. 2. 
Genus AMPHERISTUS, Kiinig. 
[leones Foss. Sect. 1825, pi. xv. fig. 190 (undefined).] 
Syn. Goniognathus, L. Agassiz, Poiss. Foss. vol. v. pt. i. 1844, p. 63 
(name only). 
An apparently extinct genus, known only by remains of the 
head, vertebral column, and scales. Orbit very large ; interorbital 
portion of cranial roof concave, with a pair of small prominences 
above the hinder part of the orbital rim ; only two pairs of short 
longitudinal ridges on the postorbital portion of the frontal region, 
forming an incomplete W ; lower border of mandible sharply bent 
inwards. Prcoperculum with 5 broad spines ; suborbital stay 
probably very stout. Vertebrae probably about 24 in total number. 
Ampheristus toliapicus, Konig. 
[Text-figure 21.] 
1825. Ampheristus toliapicus, C. Konig, op. cit. pi. xv. fig. 190. 
1844. Goniognathus maxiUans, L. Agassiz, Poiss. Foss. vol. v. pt. i. 
p. 63 (name only). 
1844. Goniognathus coryphccnoides, L. Agassiz, tom. cit. p. 63 (name 
only). 
PART iv. 2 P 
