Tlie BlenniidcB of South Africa. 1 15 



bands being much lighter in hue where they cross these streaks. 

 Some specimens obtained from Eobben Island and from a deep- 

 water bank off L'Agulhas were of a uniform vivid crimson, orange, 

 yellow, &c. ; in some the crimson was diversified by a broad irregular 

 band or row of irregular confluent spots of yellow or white with a 

 dark brown border, running longitudinally from the eyes about the 

 level of the lateral line for about f of the body, widest behind the 

 pectorals and gradually tapering. 



The diversity of colouring of this species is very marked. 



About 80 specimens examined, ranging in length from 38 mm. 

 to 272 mm. ; the largest specimens came from Robben Island and 

 off L'Agulhas Point, others were sent by the late Mr. Scully from 

 Walwich Bay and by Mr. Brooking, East London, or were procured 

 in the Cape Peninsula and at Hoetjes Bay. The species is very 

 common in South African waters, and widely distributed; it is 

 much esteemed for its delicate flavour. It does not appear to 

 be confined to the littoral, but has been taken in varying depths 

 up to 20 fins. 



The variations in colour, fins, and shape are very marked, and it 

 may be found necessary to recognise a number of varieties. We 

 have not, however, found any very definite and constant divergence 

 from the normal type except in the case of C. sitperciliosits, var. 

 arborescens. 



C. SUPERCILIOSUS var. ARBORESCENS, n. var. 



Teeth, an outer row of strong, slightly recurved teeth, with 2 

 clusters behind at symphysis on each jaw, the clusters on the upper 

 jaw being greater than on the lower; a short curved band on vomer. 

 Depth of body 3i to 4?- times in total length excluding caudal, length 

 of head 3i to 4i times. Distance from eye to point of snout 1^ to 

 If times diameter of eye, which is slightly under 1 to If times inter- 

 orbital width and 4i to 6 times in length of head ; depth of caudal 

 peduncle 3 to 3} times in length of head. The orbital tentacles pre- 

 sent a slightly different appearance from those of C. super ciliosus, 

 and consist of a rounded tapering stalk over each eye fringed at the 

 sides and often with two fringed branches from the main stem ; the 

 colour being usually a light yellowish brown. Maxillary reaches to 

 vertical of anterior margin or middle of orbits. 



Dorsal iii xxxiii-xxxvii 5-7 ; slightly emarginate ; the anterior 

 crest differs from that of C. superciliosus in form, and appears to 

 be the same in both sexes. The first 3 spines are erect and 

 separated from the rest by a membranous space rather greater than 



