Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 197 



3 times. Snout slightly less than interorbital width and ^ to ^ 

 greater than diameter of eye, which is 3J to 3f times in length of 

 head. Greatest width of preorbital f to f diameter of eye, sub- 

 orbitals about % as wide ; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior 

 nostril ; a spine on opercle ; profile from snout to dorsal fin ascends 

 abruptly. 



Dorsal xiii 15; 5th to 7th spines longest and from ^ to f length 

 of head ; soft portion of fin higher than long, the middle rays about 

 f length of head. Pectorals a little longer than head, ventrals 

 slightly shorter. Anal ii 15-16 ; 2nd spine strong and about same 

 length as longest spine of dorsal ; soft portion of fin similar to and 

 about the same height as soft dorsal. Caudal forked, nearly equals 

 length of head. Lat. 1. 28, interrupted ; lat. tr. ^^ 2 . 



Colour (of preserved specimens), dark grey ; faint transverse bands 

 on body, fins of darker colour except pectorals, tips of soft dorsal and 

 anal light, a spot at base of pectorals and a larger one on body at 

 junction of soft dorsal and caudal peduncle, a row of dark spots 

 across nape ; some specimens are without these markings. 



Three specimens, 78 mm., 85 mm., 99 mm. in length respectively, 

 from Mr. Eobinson, Natal ; frequents rock-pools. 



FAMILY LABRID^E. 



COSSYPHUS NIGEOMACULATUS, n. Sp. 



A posterior canine tooth present. Depth of body nearly 2 times 

 in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3 times. Snout 

 nearly twice diameter of eye, which is 1|- times in interorbital width 

 and slightly more than 5 times in length of head. Upper profile of 

 head almost straight, snout pointed ; eyes placed rather high up, 

 interorbital space convex ; cleft of mouth slightly oblique, jaws 

 equal, maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior margin of orbits ; 

 preoperculum minutely serrated at its rounded angle. 



Dorsal xii 10 ; 2nd spine longest, about T 3 ^ length of head ; soft 

 portion of fin higher than spinous, rays lower anteriorly, rising to 

 about | length of head. Pectorals a little more than f length of 

 head. Ventrals with first two rays produced, about ~ length of head 

 and reaching to origin of anal. Anal iii 12 ; spines weak, soft 

 portion of fin similar to soft dorsal. Caudal emarginate, outer rays 



