The Blenmidce of South Africa. 127 



of the caudal ; emarginate, especially anteriorly, the notch between 

 3rd and 4th spines usually deep. Spines erect and strong, 

 especially the first 3 ; the 1st and 2nd are about equal in length 

 and -}- to ^ length of head ; the 4th spine is the shortest, the next 

 3 or 4 gradually lengthen, the succeeding spines being of uniform 

 height, slightly longer than the 1st ; the last is the longest in the fin, 

 but lower than the soft rays ; the anterior rays are 1|- to 1^ times 

 the length of the 1st spine ; posteriorly the rays shorten, giving 

 a rounded termination to the fin. Pectorals 12, from f to ^ 

 length of head, broad and pointed, the rays of the lower half longer 

 than those of the upper, membranes incised. Ventrals i 3 ; from 

 f to f length of head, 3rd ray minute, sometimes only just apparent. 

 Anal ii 22-24 ; slightly higher posteriorly, the rays having about ^ 

 their length free and membranes deeply incised. 



Colour, often very striking and bizarre, especially in the adult 

 specimens, very variable as to the shades and arrangement of the 

 hues. Usually a ground of yellow ochre, reddish brown, dark 

 brown or bronze green, with 3 or 4 dark transverse bands ; body, 

 head, and anterior portion of dorsal often splashed or blotched with 

 large irregular patches of white or red ; fins generally tipped with 

 orange or red, and often mottled with brown or green. Sometimes 

 irregular pinkish blotches (which get very vivid when the fish is 

 frightened or angry), covering head and shoulders and showing on 

 upper part of body and on dorsal fin between the transverse bars ; 

 the throat and lower part of cheek and opercles often covered with 

 irregular yellow and black markings. 



The fish, which when mature has rather a fierce aspect, possesses 

 in a marked degree the power of changing its colour. It is found on 

 most of the foreshore of the Cape Peninsula where rock, sand and 

 weed intermingle ; and in its immature or half-grown stage is often 

 difficult to distinguish from C. cottoides. 



About 30 specimens examined, ranging in length from 97 mm. 

 to 185 mm., from False Bay and Kommetje. 



CLINUS LATIPINNIS, C. and V. 



Clinus latipinnis, Cuv. and Val., xi, p. 394 ; Giinth., iii, p. 264 

 (quoted) ; Cast. Mem., p. 53. 



Ophthalmolophus latipinnis, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad., 1860, 

 p. 103. 



Teeth, a row of sharp-pointed teeth on each jaw, with a band or 

 cluster of smaller ones behind on anterior portion of jaws ; a curved 



