Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 223 



EPINEPHELUS GIGAS, Brlinn. (juv.). 



Teeth, in narrow bands, in 2 series on sides of mandibles ; canines 

 moderate. Depth of body 2^ to 3 times in total length excluding 

 caudal, length of head 2| to 2f times. Snout 1^ to If- times 

 diameter of eye, which is 4f to 5| times in length of head ; inter- 

 orbital width about 5^ to 5f times in length of head ; lower jaw 

 projecting beyond upper ; maxillary reaches to vertical of middle or 

 posterior border of eye, the width of its distal extremity f to f 

 diameter of eye ; vertical limb of preoperculum finely serrated, 

 slightly emarginate at angle which is obtusely rounded and armed 

 with enlarged serrse ; middle opercular spine nearer lower than 

 upper, lower further back than upper, opercular flap pointed ; head 

 covered with cycloid scales, maxillary naked ; gill-rakers moderately 

 elongate, 15 or 16 on lower part of anterior arch. 



Dorsal xi 16 ; originates above base of pectorals ; 4th or 3rd and 

 4th spines longest, f to nearly ^ length of head and as long as or 

 a little longer than the longest soft rays ; last spine about ^ length 

 of head. Pectorals about -| length of head. Ventrals a little more 

 than -| length of head (in the smaller specimen they reach to anus). 

 Anal iii 8 ; 2nd and 3rd spines equal in length, J to length of head 

 and 3- to f height of longest soft rays. Caudal rounded or sub- 

 truncate, f to f length of head. Scales cycloid above lateral line, 

 feebly ciliated below. Sc. 108-114 Jg. 



Colour (of preserved specimens), uniform brown with irregular 

 markings ; edges of fins whitish, faint rows of light spots on soft 

 dorsal. 



Three specimens, 254 mm., 170 mm., 138 mm. in length respec- 

 tively, the largest from Durban Museum, the others from Mr. Romer 

 Robinson, Natal. 



They agree fairly well with descriptions of immature forms of 

 E. gig as. 



EPINEPHELUS PASCIATUS, Forsk. 

 (Red Rock-cod.) 



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

 body 3 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 2f to 

 2^ times. Snout a little longer than diameter of eye, which 

 is 4i to 4i times in length of head; interorbital width about 6^ times 

 in length of head; lower jaw projects beyond upper; maxillary 

 reaches to vertical of posterior fourth of eye, the width of its 



