DUSKY SERRANUS. 15 



In the present instance, the figure and fin-ray formula of 

 Cuvier are given ; to which the description of Mr. Couches 

 fish is added, the better to prove, by their general accordance, 

 the correctness of the junction here proposed. The number 

 of fin-rays are, according to 



Cuvier. 

 B. 7 : D. 11 + 16 : P. 17 : V. 1 + 5 : A. 3 + 8 : C. 15. 



Couch. 

 7 : 11 + 17 : 19 : 6 : 2+9 : 16. 



The Serrani have usually one spinous ray to the ventral 

 fin, and three spinous rays to the anal. 



" The fish," says Mr. Couch, " from which this descrip- 

 tion was taken, weighed sixteen pounds, and measured three 

 feet in length, and seven inches in depth, exclusive of the 

 fins ; the body thick and solid. Under jaw longest ; both, as 

 well as the palate, having numerous slender incurved teeth : 

 in front of the under jaw was a bed of them. Lips like those 

 of the Cod-fish ; two large open nasal orifices, and a large 

 hole under the projection of the nasal bone. First plate of 

 the gill-cover serrate, the second with a broad flat spine, pro- 

 jecting through the skin, and pointing backward ; the fleshy 

 covering of the gill-covers elongated posteriorly ; seven rays 

 in the gill-membrane. Body and head covered with large 

 scales ; lateral line gently curved. Dorsal fin single, long, 

 expanding towards its termination, with eleven spinous rays, 

 the first short, and seventeen soft rays, the two last from one 

 origin. Pectoral fin round, nineteen rays ; ventrals fastened 

 down by a membrane through part of their course, six rays. 

 Vent an inch and a half from the origin of the anal fin, which 

 fin has two spinous and nine soft rays, the last two from one 

 origin. Tail roundish, sixteen rays. Colour of the back red- 

 dish brown, lighter on the belly : two slightly marked lines 

 on the gill-covers running obliquely downward, one on each 

 plate. The gill-covers are not ridged. In its aspect this 



