The Blenniidce of South Africa. 141 



lower jaw slightly longer than upper, maxillary reaches to vertical of 

 anterior third or middle of orbits. 



Dorsal iv, xiv 10-11 ; the 1st dorsal commences in line with 

 posterior margin of preoperculum, is separated from the 2nd by a 

 space equal to about 4- diameter of eye, and about the same distance 

 separates the 2nd dorsal from the 3rd ; the anterior rays of 3rd dorsal 

 are from | to f length of head, the fin is not joined to the caudal, and 

 the rays are split. Pectorals 16 ; pointed, middle rays longest and 

 about the length of the head. Ventrals i 2 ; about f length of head. 

 Anal ii 22; rays increasing posteriorly to about height of 3rd dorsal. 

 Caudal to i length of head, truncate, rays split. Scales are com- 

 paratively large and with pectinate edges ; they cover also the opercles, 

 head, upper part of orbit of eyes, snout, and bases of caudal and 

 pectoral fins. Lateral line interrupted about in line with base of 

 2nd ray of 3rd dorsal. 



Colour, grey with about six irregular brown bands across the body 

 alternating with bands that only extend from the abdominal margin 

 to median line. 



Four specimens, obtained by the ss. Pieter Faure with the shrimp 

 trawl in False Bay : 2 coloured grey, 53 mm. and 54 mm. in length 

 respectively, caught about 2^ miles from Seal Island, in 14 fms. ; 

 2 of a dark red colour, 47 mm. and 56 mm. long, caught in Fish 

 Hoek Bay, in 5 fms. 



The following is Mr. Eegan's description of a new species of 

 Blennius, alluded to in note on p. 104. 



BLENNIUS PUNCTIFER. 



Depth of body 3f to 4 in the length, length of head 4i to 4f. 

 Snout obtuse, with nearly vertical anterior profile. Diameter of 

 eye 3i to 4 in the length of head and twice the width of the flab 

 interorbital region. Maxillary extending to below posterior edge of 

 eye ; very small canines in the lower jaw. On each side a short 

 fringed nasal tentacle and a similar supra-orbital tentacle ; occiput 

 with a median series of simple filaments. 



Dorsal xii 14-15, with a very slight notch, commencing above 

 the edge of praeoperculum, ending just before the caudal ; spinous 

 part as high as or a little lower than the moderately elevated soft- 

 rayed part. Anal 17-19. Caudal sub-truncate. Pectoral extending 

 to above origin of anal. Back with 6 more or less distinct dark 

 cross-bars ; numerous very small dark spots on head, body, dorsal 



