The Blcnniidce of South Africa. 99 



Synopsis of the Genera described, 

 (a) Spinous and soft portions of dorsal fin of nearly equal extent. 



1. Body naked. Jaws with a single series of immovable teeth 



and generally a posterior canine on one or both jaws. Gill 



opening wide BLENNIUS. 



2. Body naked. Jaws with a single series of immovable teeth 



and a strong curved posterior canine on each side. Gill 

 opening reduced to a small foramen above root of pectorals. 

 Dorsal fin low ASPIDONTUS. 



3. Closely allied to Aspidontus, but dorsal fin with anterior spines 



elevated PETROSCIRTES. 



4. Jaws with a series of numerous small movable teeth implanted 



in the gum, with or without posterior canines. Dorsal 



single, and with or without a notch. Gill opening wide . . SAL ARIAS. 



(It) Dorsal fin or fins composed chiefly of spiens with a few posterior rays. 



5. A single dorsal fin composed of many spines and one or more 



soft rays. Teeth in a narrow band or cluster, or a single 

 series often with a band or cluster of smaller teeth behind 

 them, on each jaw : teeth on vomer CLINUS. 



6. Two dorsal fins, the anterior composed of three spines . . . . CRISTICEPS. 



7. Three dorsal fins, the two anterior being spinous TRIPTERYGIUM. 



BLENNIUS, L. 



Body moderately elongate, naked. Snout short ; profile of head 

 bluntly rounded ; cleft of mouth small, horizontal. A single series 

 of slender, curved, close-set, immovable teeth on each jaw, with a 

 curved canine on each side of both jaws or of the lower jaw only. 

 Gill-opening wide. Tentacles above the orbits more or less 

 developed, sometimes absent. Dorsal fin entire, with a more or 

 less pronounced notch between the spinous and soft portions. 

 Ventrals jugular, formed by a hidden spine and two rays, the latter 

 split into two, well developed. Pectorals moderate. Lateral line 

 developed anteriorly. 



BLENNIUS BIFILUM, Giinth. 



Blennius bifilum, Giinth., iii., p. 225. 



No curved posterior canines. Depth of body equals length of 

 head and is 4f times in total length excluding caudal. Distance 

 from eye to point of snout 1^- times diameter of eye, which is 

 3f times in length of head and 1| times interorbital width ; depth 



