Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 235 



which in C. cristiceps is contained 3 times in length of body without 

 caudal. 



The local name, " Daggerhead," does not, as might be supposed, 

 refer to the shape of the head, but is a corruption of the Dutch word 

 " Daageraad," a name applied in Cape Colony to a fish somewhat 

 resembling but not identical with this fish. 



FAMILY 



HOLOCENTRUM Sp. 



Depth of body 2 T Q- times in total length excluding caudal, length 

 of head 2f times. Snout i diameter of eye, which is 2j times in 

 length of head ; interorbital width -- diameter of eye and 4-jt- times 

 in length of head ; height of head equals its length without the 

 snout, width of head equals -| its length ; maxillary reaches to 

 vertical of anterior third of orbit ; preoperculum denticulated on 

 both vertical and horizontal limbs with an entire fluted spine at the 

 angle % the diameter of the eye in length ; operculum strongly denti- 

 culated, with 2 distinct spines, the upper of which is longer than the 

 lower but not quite equal to that on the preopercle ; lower edge of 

 preorbital serrated, with a triangular tooth-like process directed 

 downwards ; no nasal spines, turbinal bones ending anteriorly in 

 2 blunt processes ; posterior edge of sub- and inter-opercles and 

 posterior half of upper edge of orbit denticulated ; 2 sinuous bony 

 ridges from nostrils through interorbital space and dividing on 

 occiput into about 9 radiating ridges ending in spinate points. 



Dorsal xi, i 12 ; 3rd to 5th spines longest, about i height of head 

 and higher than soft rays, but shorter than the longest anal spine ; 

 interspinous membrane deeply cleft. Pectorals nearly length of 

 head and as long as ventrals, which reach to vent. Anal iv 9 ; 

 3rd spine very strong and nearly i of total length of body excluding 

 caudal. Caudal forked. Scales not fluted, strongly ctenoid; 8 rows 

 between occiput and base of dorsal fin, 7 or 8 rows along the 



preopercle. Lat. tr. ~. 



Colour when fresh is reported as pinkish ; in the preserved state 

 it is grey, covered with minute brown specks on upper half of body 

 and with 8 or 9 light yellowish lines along the body from head to 

 caudal ; spinous dorsal black, with a white longitudinal band on 

 lower fourth. 



