Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 221 



maxillary reaches to vertical of posterior third or in the larger 

 specimens to beyond posterior margin of eye, the width of its distal 

 extremity f to nearly 1 diameter of eye ; vertical limb of pre- 

 operculum slightly curved, serrated, and with slightly enlarged 

 serrae at the angle ; opercular spines nearly equidistant, the lower 

 further back than upper, opercular flap pointed. Head almost 

 entirely covered with cycloid scales ; gill-rakers moderately elongate, 

 9 to 10 and 7 or 8 rudimentary on lower part of anterior arch. 



Dorsal xi 15 ; originating above base of pectorals ; spines 

 increasing in length to 3rd or 4th, which is about ^ length of head 

 and f to f height of longest soft rays. Pectorals about f length of 

 head. Ventrals about i length of head, not reaching anus. Anal 

 iii 8 ; 2nd spine a little shorter than 3rd, which is about the height 

 of longest spine of dorsal and f to i the height of longest anal rays. 

 Caudal rounded, about f length of head. Scales on body ctenoid, 

 108-11213, lat, 1. 62-68. 



Colour (of preserved specimens) brown with darker spots, and 

 with 5 or 6 irregular brownish bands across body. 



Three specimens, two 172 mm. and 215 mm. in length respec- 

 tively from Mr. Eomer Eobinson, Natal; the other, 269 mm. in 

 length, from Durban Museum. 



EPINEPHELUS MERRA, Bl. 



Teeth, in 3 series on sides of mandibles ; canines small. Depth of 

 body 3^ times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3 

 times. Snout 1^ times diameter of eye, which is 6 times in length 

 of head ; interorbital width 5^- times in length of head ; lower jaw 

 strongly projecting beyond upper ; maxillary reaching to slightly 

 beyond the vertical of posterior margin of eye, the width of its 

 distal extremity equals -i the diameter of the eye ; preopercular 

 border rounded, finely serrated behind, serras enlarged at the angle ; 

 middle opercular spine slightly nearer upper than lower, lower not 

 further back than upper, opercular flap pointed ; head and maxillary 

 covered with cycloid scales ; gill-rakers short, 15 on lower part of 

 anterior arch. 



Dorsal xi 15 ; originates behind base of pectorals ; spines strong, 

 increasing in length to 4th or 5th which are -j% length of head, about 

 same length as last spine and -i height of longest soft rays. Pectorals 

 'i length of head. Ventrals a little more than ^ length of head, 

 reaching about half-way to anus. Anal iii 9 ; 2nd spine as long as 

 3rd, which is a little more than J length of and about f height of 



