SCORP.ENIDJE. 
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. 
Vertebral transverse processes short or absent; 
no anal fin-spines ; scaly or only with 
bony plates along lateral line.......... TaiGLiDiE (p. 585). 
Family SCORP^NIDiE. 
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 supraclavicle 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 Sco7'poena is given by 
Agassiz, Poiss. Foss. vol. iv. pi. L, fig. 2. 
Genus AMPHERISTUS, Konig. 
[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. Preoperculum with 5 broad spines; suborbital stay 
probably very stout. Vertebrse 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 maxillaris^ L. Agassiz, Poiss. Foss. vol. v. pt. i. 
p. 63 (name only). 
1844. Goniognathus corypheenoides, L. Agassiz, tom. cit. p. 63 (name 
only). 
PART IV. 2 p 
