Descriptions of Fislies from tlic Coast of Natal. 215 



head and 2^ to 25- times in total length excluding caudal. Snout 

 twice diameter of eye, which is 6f to 7 times in length of -head and 

 equals the interorbital width. Lower jaw projecting beyond upper; 

 maxillary reaches to vertical of posterior border of eye, the width of 

 its distal extremity equals or slightly exceeds diameter of eye ; 

 preoperculurn feebly serrated, slightly emarginate above angle, 

 which is rounded ; middle opercular spine nearer lower than upper, 

 lower scarcely further back than upper, opercular flap obtusely 

 pointed ; head and part of maxillary covered with cycloid scales ; 

 gill-rakers 12 and 5 rudiments on lower part of anterior arch, the 

 longest about as long as gill-fringes. 



Dorsal ix 15 ; originating slightly behind base of pectorals, spines 

 strong ; 3rd spine longer than 1st or 2nd, about same height as 

 succeeding spines, J to ^ length of head and considerably shorter 

 than posterior rays, the longest of which is to ^ length of head. 

 Pectorals f to length of head. Ventrals scarcely shorter than 

 pectorals and reaching to about the anus. Anal iii 9 ; 3rd spine 

 slightly longer than 2nd, a little higher than longest spine of dorsal 

 and f height of longest soft rays ; both soft dorsal and anal are 

 rounded. Caudal rounded, f to f length of head. Scales on body 

 strongly ciliated, those on belly cycloid. Sc. 110-115 -]-?- ; lat. 1. 68. 



Colour when fresh, scarlet, paired and unpaired fins edged with 

 black ; becomes whitish or grey in preservative with a trace of black 

 edges to fins. No network of colour on the head (described and 

 figured by some authors) was observed. 



Two specimens, one 270 mm. in length from Durban Museum, the 

 other 303 mm. in length from Mr. Eomer Eobinson, Natal. 



EPINEPHELUS MINIATUS, Forsk. 

 (Red Spotted Eock-cod.) 



Teeth, 2 or 3 series on the sides of the mandibles ; canines 

 moderate. Depth of body about 3 times in total length excluding 

 caudal, length of head 2f to 2J times. Snout about If times 

 diameter of eye, which is small, equals or is slightly less than 

 interorbital width and 5f to nearly 6 tiroes in length of head ; lower 

 jaw projects beyond upper, chin prominent ; maxillary reaches 

 to below posterior third of eye, width of its distal extremity about 

 equals diameter of eye ; preoperculuui finely serrated on lower half 

 of vertical border, the seme scarcely enlarged at the angle, which is 

 rounded ; middle opercular spine nearer lower than upper, opercular 

 flap obtusely pointed, the upper border strongly curved; head covered 



