Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 169 



length of longest dorsal spine. Caudal forked, with pointed lobes, 

 the upper of which is longer. Scales feebly ciliated; Lat. 1. 47, 

 lat. tr. l g . 



Colour (of preserved specimen), scales of body yellowish, head 

 dark brown with a few dark dots on cheek, and short bands less than 

 three diameters of the eye one under eye and 2 radiating from the 

 eye anteriorly. 



One specimen, 220 mm. in length, from Mr. Eobinson, Natal. 



PAGRUS NIGKIPINNIS, Blgr. 

 (Mussel-crusher.) 



Teeth, 4 strong canines on each jaw ; a row of large molars. Depth 

 of body nearly 2^ times in total length excluding caudal, length of 

 head 2f times. Snout 2f times diameter of eye, which is nearly 1 

 times in interorbital width and 5 times in length of head. Inter- 

 orbital space broad and flat, a protuberance before eyes at upper 

 anterior angle of orbits ; preoperculum finely denticulated, angle 

 rounded; operculum with a short strong spine; preorbital e margin - 

 ate, least width ll- times diameter of eye ; interorbital region, occiput, 

 cheek and gill-cover densely covered with small, strongly imbricated 

 scales ; 16 series of scales on the cheek ; jaws equal, maxillary 

 reaches to vertical of posterior nostril. 



Dorsal xii 10 ; originates above base of pectorals, spines strong, 

 3rd and 4th longest, a little more than 1 length of head and about f 

 length of longest soft rays ; base of soft portion of tin covered with 

 scales for about ^ of the height. Pectorals T 9 a length of head, reach to 

 in line with base of 2nd anal spine. Ventrals nearly f length of head. 

 Anal iii 8 ; 2nd spine very strong and longer than 3rd, ^ length of 

 head, nearly equal in length to longest dorsal spine and -*- length of 

 anterior soft rays ; the whole fin embedded in a scaly sheath for ^ 

 height of rays. Caudal forked, upper lobe rather longer than lower, 

 base of fin covered with scales. Scales feebly ciliated ; lat. 1. 62, 



lat. tr. g. 



Colour (of preserved specimen), dark brown above, whitish below ; 

 all fins black. 



One specimen, 297 mm. in length, from Mr. Eobinson, Natal. 



This appears to be a young specimen of P. nigripinnis, Blgr., the 

 type of which was 400 mm. in length. The " Mussel-crusher " grows 

 to a very large size (three feet or so in length), and is apparently the 

 same fish as the " Bischop " or " Poeskop " of Cape fishermen, a 

 name which, however, they also apply to a large Sargus, which also 



