CENTEISCID^. 
377 
Family CEXTRISCID.E. 
Trunk laterally compressed, and irregularly oblong or deepened; 
snout much produced into a tube, and small toothless mouth 
terminal. Gills pectinated; opercular apparatus complete. Some 
anterior vertebrae usually elongated, those of the abdominal region 
and some anterior caudals "with large transverse processes. Pelvic 
fins 'without spine but with 5 or 6 divided rays; an enlarged spine 
and usually other small spines in front of the dorsal fin; anal fin 
without anterior spine, opposed to the soft dorsal; caudal fin 
distinct. Skin with a partial bony armour and also with small 
scales. 
These are small marine fishes, very widely distributed. 
Synopsis of Genera. 
Caudal region relatively large ; few dorsal spines, 
the second excessively enlarged; pelvic fins 
considerably behind pectorals ; bony plates 
dorsallv and ventrallv and flanks covered 
vuth small scales. Centriscus (Eecent). 
Caudal region relatively large; pelvic fins partly 
beneath pectorals; bony plates dorsally, not 
ventrally, but flanks covered with small 
scales. E7iamp)}iosu§ (p. 377). 
Caudal region relatively very small; pelvic fins 
reduced, considerably behind pectorals ; dorsal 
and ventral bony dermal armour extensive, 
but no scales . Ampliisile (p. 378). 
Isolated spines from the Lower Pliocene of Orciano, Tuscany, are 
ascribed to Centriscus under the name of C. toni by It. Lawley, 
Isuovi Studi Pesci, etc., Colline Toscane (1876), p. 79. 
Genus RHAMPHOSUS, Agassiz. 
[Poiss. Foss. vol. iv. 1844, p. 270.] 
Trunk only moderately deepened; caudal region relatively large, 
with about 14 vertebrae. Pelvic fins well-developed and far 
forwards, partly beneath the pectorals : caudal fin rounded. Pony 
plates dorsally in abdominal region to support the large spine, but 
no ventral armour ; small rough scales covering flanks. 
R]^mphosiis actdeatwa (Plainvihc) . 
1796. Uranoscopus rastrum, G. S. Yolta, Ittiolit. Veronese, p. xxii. 
pi. V. fig. 4. 
1796. Centriscus, G, S. Yolta, ibid. pi. Ixxv. fig. 1 {erroi'e). 
