The single genus Platycephalus, with some 40 species, inhabits the coasts of the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific.
Fam. 8. Hoplichthyidae.—Head incompletely cuirassed, much depressed, with spines; basis cranii simple; two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes attached to isthmus; gills 4; pseudobranchiae present. Vertebrae about 30, the praecaudals with transverse processes. Post-temporal fused with the skull; scapula and coracoid in contact with each other; pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and on 3 plate-like pterygials. Ventral fins widely separated, a little before the pectorals, with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. Spinous dorsal shorter than the soft; anal without spines. Back and sides with bony, prickly plates.
Hoplichthys, with a single species from the coasts of Japan and China. Bembras, with two species from the coasts of Japan, appears to be related to it, but the skeleton is still unknown; it differs in having the body covered with small scales and the gill-membranes free.
Fam. 9. Agonidae.—Head completely cuirassed, usually with spines; basis cranii simple; two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes free or attached to isthmus; gills 3½; pseudobranchiae present. Vertebrae 35 to 50; ribs sessile. Post-temporal fused with the skull; scapula and coracoid in contact with each other, or separated by a cartilaginous space; pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and 3 or 4 plate-like pterygials. Ventral fins close together, with 1 spine and 2 soft rays. Spinous dorsal shorter than the soft, or absent; anal without spines. Body covered with bony plates.
Small fishes, mostly from the coasts of the Northern Atlantic and Pacific, extending into the Arctic Ocean; one species from the coast of Chili. Bathyagonus occurs in the North Atlantic between 350 and 477 fathoms.
About 40 species are known. Principal genera: Agonus, Agonopsis, Bathyagonus, Aspidophoroides. The "Pogge," or Armed Bullhead (Agonus cataphractus), is the only British species of this family.
Fam. 10. Triglidae.—Head completely cuirassed, with spines; basis cranii double; parietal bones meeting on the median line; two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes free; gills 4; pseudobranchiae present. Vertebrae 25 to 40, the anterior praecaudals with sessile ribs, the posterior with transverse processes. Post-temporal fused with the skull; scapula and coracoid separated by a cartilaginous space; pectoral rays inserted on the scapula and on 4 large plate-like pterygials, of which two are in contact with the coracoid; 2 or 3 of the lower pectoral rays detached, forming feelers. Ventral fins widely separated, with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. Spinous dorsal shorter than the soft; anal without spines. Body covered with scales or bony plates.
Marine fishes from all warm and temperate regions, some occurring in deep water. They are remarkable for the finger-like appendages of the pectoral fins, which are employed to feel the ground in search of crustaceans and other small animals on which they feed; also for the grunting sounds which they utter by the contraction of the air-bladder. About 50 species are known, referable to 4 genera: Prionotus, Trigla, Lepidotrigla, Peristedion. Fossil remains referred to Trigla have been found in Miocene and later formations. British species are the Grey Gurnard (Trigla gurnardus), the Red Gurnard (T. cuculus), the Tub or Sapphirine Gurnard (T. hirundo), the Piper (T. lyra), the Long-finned Gurnard (T. obscura), and the Streaked Gurnard (T. lineata).
Fig. 426.—Dactylopterus volitans. (After Gill.) ⅓ nat. size.