Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 147 



length excluding caudal, equals length of head ; snout a little over 

 twice diameter of eye, which is 5i tiroes in head ; dorsal profile from 

 end of snout to nape of neck almost straight ; lower jaw not pro- 

 jecting beyond upper ; maxillary reaches to below anterior half of 

 eye ; the suprascapula and posterior edge of preoperculum finely 

 serrated, the latter slightly emarginate. 



Dorsal x 13 ; fourth spine longest, a little over 2Hn head; longest 

 soft ray equals the free portion of the caudal region. Pectorals less 

 than length of head equal distance between posterior edge of oper- 

 culum and first margin of eye, and reach scarcely to the anus. 

 Ventrals do not reach vent by about a fourth of the length. Anal 

 iii 8 ; third spine longer than the second in the larger specimen, 

 about equal to it in the smaller. Caudal emarginate. Sc. 44ff. 

 Lat. line 46. 



Colour. This a handsome fish, purplish brown above with reddish 

 belly. 



Two specimens, the larger, 317 mm. in length, from the harbour, 

 Natal, where it is found near old wrecks and rocks ; the smaller, 

 162 mm., from East London. 



It is most nearly allied to L. argentimaculatus. 



PRIACANTHUS CRUENTATUS, Lacep. 



Depth of body 24- to 23- times in total length excluding caudal, 

 length of head 3 to 3i- times; snout about ^ diameter of eye, which 

 is 2 to 2|- times in length of head ; interorbital width 3 to 3i in 

 length of head ; spine at angle of preoperculum rather strong, ser- 

 rated, length i diameter of eye ; 18 gill-rakers on lower portion of 

 anterior arch. 



Dorsal x 12; originating above origin of pectorals, spines sub- 

 equal from the 4th or 5th ; the last spine If to 2 times as long as 

 2nd, and 5- to ^ length of head ; longest soft rays about ^ longer than 

 longest spines ; spines strongly spinulose, soft rays feebly so. Pec- 

 torals i- to J length of head ; ventrals 4- to f length of head, spine 

 strongly spinulose. Anal iii 14 ; 3rd spine longest, nearly as long 

 as last dorsal spine ; spines spinulose, soft rays feebly so. Caudal 

 truncate. Scales ciliated. Sc. 100 - S 4 -. Lat. 1. 78. 



Colour (of preserved specimen), body whitish, dorsal, caudal, and 

 anal fins edged with black. 



This fish appears to be the immature form of the above-named 

 species. 



Two specimens, 141 mm. and 135 mm. in length respectively, 

 from Durban Museum. 



