Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 229 



extremities, the 3rd being longest and If times length of head, the 

 remaining spines short and strong. Anterior soft rays elongate, 

 about | length of 3rd spine and from ^ to ^ height of the rays in 

 posterior third of fin. Pectorals -j% length of head. Ventrals, 1st 

 ray elongate, 1| times length of head and reaching to anal. Anal 

 iii 18 ; anterior rays elongate and about same height as those of 

 soft dorsal, succeeding rays descending to about ^ of that height, 

 the upper margin of the fin being slightly concave. Caudal emargi- 

 nate, equals length of head. Bases of vertical fins scaled ; lat. 1. 65. 



Colour (of preserved specimen), grey, with about 6 faint 

 brownish cross bands on body, the anterior band passing through 

 the eye. 



One specimen, 216 mm. in length, from Mr. Eomer Eobinson, 

 Natal. 



This fish is characteristic of the Atlantic coast of America, and its 

 occurrence at Natal, where so many of the fishes of the Indian 

 Ocean and Eastern seas are found, is of interest. 



FAMILY MULLID^. 



UPENEUS NATALENSIS, n. sp. 



Teeth, a single series of teeth in both jaws, the most posterior 

 widely apart. Depth of body 3 times in total length excluding 

 caudal, length of head 3f\ times. Snout 3 times diameter of eye, 

 which is nearly If times in interorbital width and 5f times in length 

 of head. Height of head nearly equals its length ; snout somewhat 

 protruding, with a transverse groove in front of anterior nostril ; 

 upper jaw slightly overlaps lower ; maxillary, which is very broad 

 posteriorly, reaches to vertical of about two-thirds of the way from 

 snout to anterior margin of orbits ; preorbital naked and covered 

 with small pores ; interorbital space convex ; opercular spine short 

 and strong. Barbels reach to the vertical of posterior border of 

 preoperculum. 



Dorsal viii 9 ; 1st spine minute, 4th longest and nearly f length of 

 head, remaining spines shortening posteriorly; 3 rows of scales 

 between 1st and 2nd dorsal fins. Soft rays of 2nd dorsal anteriorly 

 nearly f height of longest spine of 1st dorsal, shortening posteriorly 

 to about f height of longest ray. Pectorals nearly - length of head. 

 Ventrals nearly -^ length of head. Anal i 7 ; commences about in 



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