124 Annals of the South African Museum. 



spine in height. The first 2 soft rays are slightly higher than the 

 adjacent spines ; the 3rd ray is shorter and removed from them by a 

 space equal to the diameter of the eye, and the membranes connect- 

 ing it with the 2nd ray and with the caudal peduncle are trans- 

 parent. Pectorals 12 ; about ^ length of head ; membranes of 

 middle rays scalloped, outer ones incised. Ventrals i 3 ; longest 

 ray \ to length of head. Anal n 20-22; rays anteriorly about 

 equal in height to last spines of dorsal, slightly longer posteriorly ; 

 membranes incised. Caudal from f to the same length as the head, 

 slightly rounded, membranes scalloped. 



The profile of the body is elevated, especially at the shoulder ; 

 lateral line not very distinct, curved over pectorals. 



Colour, a ground of reddish or purple brown, with a row of 

 dark ocellated spots at base of dorsal, and irregular wavy bands 

 of silvery white markings from snout to caudal along the base of 

 the dorsal and above and below lateral line ; sometimes dark bands 

 on back passing through the dorsal spines alternated with 6 similar 

 bands from anal across the lateral line. Pectorals, ventrals, and 

 caudal barred with brown and white. 



Two specimens, 56 mm. and 88 mm. in length respectively, from 

 weedy rock-pools at St. James and Kalk Bay ; not often to be found. 



CLINUS ACUMINATUS, C. and V. 



Clinus acuminatus, Cuv. and Val., xi, p. 370; Giinth., iii, p. 269 ; 

 Kner, Novara, p. 302. 



Teeth, a band of sharp-pointed, slightly recurved teeth on each 

 jaw ; the outer row sometimes enlarged, especially anteriorly, in 

 mature specimens; a small chevron -shaped band on vomer. Depth 

 of body 4J to 5^ times in total length excluding caudal, length of 

 head 3i to 4-J times. Distance from eye to point of snout 1 to If 

 times diameter of eye, which is 4 to 6 times in length of head ; 

 interorbital width f to 1 diameter of eye ; depth of caudal peduncle 

 3 to 4 times in length of head. A short tentacle above posterior 

 upper angle of each orbit, consisting of a short fleshy stalk or base 

 with 4 or 5 cirri at the end ; interorbital space convex. Snout sub- 

 conical ; jaws about equal, the lower sometimes slightly longer than 

 upper ; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior third or middle of 

 orbits ; mucous pores on head and round posterior margin of orbits ; 

 dorsal profile slightly elevated at shoulder. 



Dorsal xxxi-xxxiii 5-7 ; commences in line with posterior margin 

 of preoperculum and reaches almost to base of caudal, slightly 



