Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 185 



Dorsal viii-ix 22-23 ; spines moderately strong, subequal 

 from the 4th or 5th and ahout i length of head; the longest 

 spine is about the length of the longest soft rays, sometimes 

 slightly longer or shorter. Pectorals l y times in length of head. 

 Ventrals length of head. Anal iii 20 ; spines strong ; 3rd 

 longest, nearly the length of the longest dorsal spines and 

 slightly shorter than the anal rays. Caudal emarginate. Spine 

 short, about i diameter of eye. Scales cycloid and rudimentary 

 on head, and ctenoid on body. 



Colour (of preserved specimens), brown, with six transverse 

 black bands the first goes through eyes, the second from 1st 

 spine, and the last consisting of a band over the caudal peduncle 

 and on each side with a gap in the middle. A fainter sinuous 

 dark band passes along the ventral aspect of the body on each 

 side not present, however, in the small specimen. 



Four specimens, 165 mm., 140 mm., 135 mm. and 47 mm. 

 in length respectively, the first three from Durban Museum, 

 the last an immature specimen from Mr. Robinson, Natal, 

 who states it is found among rocks. 



ACANTHUEUS MATOiDES, C. and V. 

 (Surgeon.) 



Teeth, 8 lobate incisors on either side of upper jaw, and 8 or 

 9 on either side of lower jaw. Depth of body twice in total length 

 excluding caudal, length of head nearly 4 times. Snout 3f times 

 diameter of eye, which is If times in interorbital width and 5-g- 

 times in length of head. Profile from snout to orbit distinctly 

 convex ; distance from anterior nostril to front edge of upper 

 jaw nearly - length of head and equals distance from eye to 

 angle of mouth ; opercle striated ; cleft of mouth small. 



Dorsal ix 26 ; spines of moderate strength ; 1st spine concealed, 

 remainder subequal from 5th and not quite as high as soft rays, 

 about n length of head. Pectorals nearly as long as the head. 

 Ventrals nearly -*- length of head. Anal iii 25 ; spines strong ; 

 3rd longest, over -f length of head and nearly f height of longest 

 dorsal spine ; soft rays rather shorter than those of soft dorsal. 

 Caudal deeply emarginate, outer rays elongated, causing the fin 

 to be deeply lunated in its last half. Spine 1^ times diameter 

 of eye. Free portion of caudal at its lowest part about 2J times 

 diameter of eye or slightly more than f length of head. Scales 

 ctenoid on body, rudimentary and cycloid on head and shoulders. 



