Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 159 



maxillary reaches to vertical of middle of orbits, the width of its 

 distal extremity being a little more than ^ diameter of eye ; lower 

 jaw projects ; nasal orifices wide and close together ; gill-rakers 

 about as long as the gill-fringes, 27 on lower part of anterior arch ; 

 head entirely covered with scales, maxillary partly covered. 



Dorsal xi 17-18 ; originating slightly behind base of pectorals ; 

 3rd, 4th, and 5th spines longest, ^ length of head ; soft portion of 

 fin higher than spinous and densely scaled, the anterior rays are 

 about f length of head, the remainder progressively decreasing, the 

 posterior margin of the fin being vertical. Pectorals about -*- length 

 of head, reaching nearly to origin of anal ; ventrals about the same 

 length. Anal iii 11 ; opposed to soft dorsal and of similar shape ; 

 spines moderately strong, 2nd longest, J length of anterior soft rays. 

 Caudal slightly emarginate, covered with scales ; caudal peduncle 

 1^ times as long as deep. Scales ciliated ; sc. 84, lateral line 

 indistinct, lat. tr. -|i. 



Colour (of preserved specimens), the larger specimen dark brown 

 with irregular longitudinal rows of white spots on body and 

 caudal peduncle ; the smaller specimen is of a lighter shade, 

 especially on the lower part of the body, and has about 4 oblique 

 transverse bands on the body in addition to the rows of spots. 



Two specimens, 199 mm. and 130 mm. in length respectively, 

 from Mr. Eobinson, Natal, who states that the fish frequents rocks, 

 grows to a weight of 4 to 5 Ibs. or more, and is plentiful in the 

 season. 



It differs in some details from D. queketti, Blgr., but is apparently 

 the same species. 



FAMILY SQUAMIPINNES. 



CH^TODON SETIFEK, Bloch. 



Depth of body a little over If times in total length excluding 

 caudal, length of head 3f times. Snout 1^ times diameter of eye, 

 which is 3^ times in length of head and slightly less than interorbital 

 width. Snout pointed and produced, mouth very small, preopercle 

 entire. 



Dorsal xiii 23 ; 5th and 6th rays produced into a short filament ; 

 soft portion of fin angular. Pectorals the same length as ventrals, 

 a little over f length of head. Anal iii 20 ; 3rd spine longest, over 

 ^ length of head ; soft portion of fin angular. Caudal slightly 



