114 Annals of the South African Museum. 



4th spine, from a fourth to a half of its length. The length of these 

 first 3 spines seems to have a sexual significance in this species. In 

 the males the 1st spine, which is usually the longest, ranges in length 

 from -j?- to i the length of the head, the 2nd is generally slightly 

 shorter, the 3rd about ^ the length of the 2nd, and the 3 spines 

 with their connecting membranes form when erect a triangular crest 

 with a nearly vertical or slightly recurved front. In the females 

 the crest formed by the first 3 spines is lower and more rounded, 

 its height ranging from 1 to ^ the length of the head. The 2nd spine 

 is often equal in height to the 1st, the 3rd slightly shorter, and 

 generally there is a dark oval spot on the membrane connecting the 

 2nd and 3rd spines which extends on to these spines also. In both 

 sexes the 4th spine is generally the shortest in the fin, the remainder 

 increasing in length, gradually at first, but more rapidly posteriorly, 

 the last spines being from ^ to ^ longer than the 4th. The anterior 

 soft rays are a little higher than adjacent spines, posteriorly they 

 successively decrease, giving a rounded margin to the fin. Pec- 

 torals 15-16 ; broad, middle rays longest, T 7 Q to f length of head, 

 membranes of lower rays incised. Ventrals i 2 ; the longer ray 

 f to | length of head. Anal n 25-30 ; rays slightly lower 

 anteriorly, posteriorly about same height as longest rays of dorsal, 

 membranes incised. Caudal f to f length of head, either straight- 

 edged with rounded or slightly rounded corners, membranes scal- 

 loped. Body deepest in its anterior third ; lateral line arched over 

 pectorals and more distinct on curve than posteriorly. 



Colour : The hues are often very brilliant. Usually the ground 

 colour is a reddish, yellowish, or greyish brown, a bronze or yel- 

 lowish green, dark liver colour, &c., profusely marked, spotted, and 

 shaded, the colouring very pleasingly blended ; head and opercles 

 with reticulated markings ; body with about 6 irregular transverse 

 bands of a dark brown extending on to the dorsal fin. Sometimes 

 head, shoulders, and body are splashed or blotched with irregular 

 patches of pink or red, green or other tints ; often the lower half of 

 the body is of much lighter shade than the upper, generally light 

 green or yellow, profusely sprinkled with small spots or specks of 

 darker hue, the line of demarcation between the upper and lower 

 halves of the body being clearly marked longitudinally. In some 

 localities the colouring is more subdued a uniform reddish brown 

 or dark shade, with darker spots and markings and transverse bands 

 of the same colour ; in other instances there are irregular longi- 

 tudinal bands of crimson, or pale red, green, or yellow on the body, 

 dotted with brown, black, grey, or white spots, the dark transverse 



