The BlenniidcB of South Africa. 105 



the root of the pectorals. Dorsal fin low, the anterior spines not 

 elevated. Ventrals jugular, composed of from 2 to 4 rays. 



ASPIDONTUS WOODI, n. sp. 



Canine teeth strong, especially in lower jaw. Depth of body 

 about equals length of head, and is 5y^ times in total length ex- 

 cluding caudal. Distance from eye to point of snout 1 times 

 diameter of eye, which equals interorbital width and is 4f times in 

 length of head. No orbital tentacles, but there is a crest on the 

 head twice the diameter of the eye in height and extending from 

 above anterior margin of orbits to nape ; snout obtuse and projecting 

 slightly beyond mouth ; upper jaw longer than lower and upper lip 

 overhangs ; mouth small and cleft slightly oblique, maxillary reaches 

 to vertical of anterior third of orbits ; eyes placed high up and with 

 a row of pores round their posterior margin ; a large pore below 

 mandibles at each corner of mouth. 



Dorsal xii 20 ; commences in line with opercular border and 

 extends to base of caudal, spines weak ; 1st spine -f length of head, 

 remainder successively lengthening, the last spine being ^ higher 

 than the first. Membranes of soft rays slightly notched, ends of 

 rays filamentous, longest ray about 1^- times length of head. Pec- 

 torals 13 ; slightly longer than head. Ventrals i 2 ; about f length 

 of head. Anal 21 ; low anteriorly, rising to about i length of head, 

 membranes slightly emarginate. Caudal about li times length of 

 head, broad and rounded. Body elongate and slightly compressed, 

 its depth varies very slightly for the greater part of its length ; depth 

 of caudal peduncle more than ^ the greatest depth of the body. 

 Lateral line indistinct. 



Colour (of preserved specimen) brown, with about a dozen dark 

 transverse curved bars on body ; no spots. 



A single specimen, 80 mm. in length, from Nahoon River; sent 

 by Mr. J. Wood, after whom it is named, and who has collected 

 many specimens of marine animals. 



PETEOSCIETES, Eiippell. 



This genus is closely allied to Aspidontus, differing chiefly in the 

 elevated dorsal fin, the anterior spines being much higher than the 

 others. 



? PETEOSCIETES FILAMENTOSUS, C. and V. 



Blennechis filamentosus, Cuv. and Val., xi., p. 280, pi. 326. 



