Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 155 



Dorsal xiv 16 ; spines strong, alternately thicker on each side ; 

 the 4th spine longest, about f to f length of head. Pectorals f 

 length of head, ventrals about f . Anal iii 7 ; 2nd spine very strong, 

 longer than 3rd ; equal in length to longest dorsal spine. Caudal 

 truncate. Lat. 1. 53, lat. tr. -J-. 



Colour. The larger specimen is dark brown with about six black 

 lines passing obliquely across body ; the smaller is light grey. 



Two specimens, 102 mm. and 183 mm. in length respectively, the 

 former from Durban Museum, the latter from Mr. Eobinson, Natal. 



DlAGBAMMA DUKBANENSE, n. sp. 



(Bed-gills.) 



Depth of body 2|- times in total length excluding caudal, length of 

 head 3^' times. Snout nearly twice diameter of eye, which is If 

 times in interorbital width and 5 times in length of head ; preoper- 

 culum with posterior margin finely serrated ; head entirely covered 

 with scales, snout in front of nostrils not scaly; a transverse depres- 

 sion on snout midway between its point and the orbits ; cleft of 

 mouth oblique, lips thick, and the upper extending a little beyond 

 the lower, maxillary reaching to vertical of posterior nostril. 



Dorsal xii 20 ; originating above base of pectoral ; spines strong, 

 4th, 5th, and 6th longest and subequal, nearly f length of head ; 

 soft portion of fin lower than spinous. Pectorals f length of head ; 

 ventrals slightly longer than pectorals, do not reach to anus by 

 a space about equal to ^ their length. Anal iii 8; 2nd spine 

 strongest and slightly longer than 3rd, about equal in length to 

 longest dorsal spines. Caudal crescentic. Scales ciliated (large on 

 body with clusters of very small ones between each large scale) ; 

 Lat. 1. 52, Lat. tr. .'-. 



Colour, greyish brown shading to light grey below ; caudal black- 

 edged shading to grey at base ; dorsal dark with black ; anal dark 

 grey ; ventrals light grey with dark ; pectorals light tinged with 

 black ; a dark mark at upper side of back ; black on top of head ; 

 fringe of opercle scarlet opposite pectoral fin, then light crimson ; 

 inside of mouth and tongue bright. 



One specimen, 364 mm. in length, from Mr. Eobinson, Natal, to 

 whom we are indebted for the above description of the colouring. 



DENTEX MILES, n. sp. 

 (Soldier.) 



Teeth, canines moderately strong, 4 on the upper, 6 on the lower 

 jaw. Depth of body 2f- times in total length excluding caudal, 



