212 RIBAND-SHAPED. 



head to the tail, with the rays of unequal sizes. Caudal fin 

 forked, the rays of each fork about four inches long. Pecto- 

 ral fins very minute : no ventral nor anal fins whatever. 

 Vent immediately under the pectoral fins, and close to the 

 gill-openings. Head about four and a .half inches long, com- 

 pressed like the body, with a groove on the top. Gill-lids 

 formed of transparent porous plates. Eyes one inch and a 

 quarter in diameter. Both jaws armed with small teeth. 

 Lateral line rough, and, towards the tail, armed with minute 

 spines pointing forwards ; and these are the only spines on 

 the body." 



Another specimen found on the beach of Sancla is de- 

 scribed as follows : " Length four and a half feet ; breadth 

 eight inches ; thickness one inch, thin at the edges of the 

 back and belly. Length of the head five inches, terminating 

 gradually in a short snout. Tail consists of eight or nine 

 fin-bones or rays, the third ray seven inches long, the rest 

 four inches. The dorsal fin reaching from the neck to the 

 tail, rays four inches long. On each side of the fish, from 

 head to tail, a row of prickles pointing forward ; distance be- 

 tween each half an inch. Under edge fortified by a thick 

 ridge of blunt prickles. Pectoral fins one inch long, lying 

 upwards. Skin rough. Colour a leaden or silvery lustre ; 

 dorsal fin and tail blood colour. The skin or covering of 

 the head like that of a Herring : several small teeth ; gills 

 red, consisting of four layers. Heart half an inch ; liver two 

 and a half inches ; stomach four and a half inches, full of a 

 gelatinous substance. Flesh perfectly white. Spine in the 

 middle of the fish. Body thin towards the back and belly, 

 and wears very small towards the tail. Eyes and brain 

 wanting." 



Various specimens, probably to the number of twelve or 

 more, appear to have been obtained on the island of Sanda 

 between the years 1817 and 1829. Some of the natives 



