Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 41 



Colour (of preserved specimen), dark on back, white below; with 

 6 irregular dark blotches on the sides, one below lateral line at its 

 commencement, the others above it. 



One specimen, 290 mm. in length, from Durban; from Mr. Romer 

 Robinson, Natal. 



FAMILY SCOMBKID^ 



GEN. CYBIUM. 



CYBIUM LINEOLATUM, C. and V. 



Teeth, 16 to 18 on each jaw, triangular and strongly compressed, 

 the central ones on the mandibles being the stronger ; a triangular 

 pointed patch on vomer, a band on palatines. Depth of body equals 

 length of head and is 4 times in total length excluding caudal. 

 Snout 14 times diameter of eye, which is If times in interorbital 

 width and 4i times in length of head ; jaws about equal; maxillary 

 reaches to vertical of posterior 3rd of eye and partly concealed by 

 preorbital ; preoperculum emarginate on its vertical border, with its 

 lower edge about as long as the vertical. 



Dorsal xvi, 16, ix ; spines of 1st dorsal weak, higher anteriorly 

 where they are about ^ length of head ; soft dorsal higher anteriorly, 

 a little over ^ length of head and with 9 detached finlets. Pectorals 

 as long as the head behind middle of eye. Ventrals a little more 

 than ^ length of pectorals. Anal ii 14, x ; similar to soft dorsal and 

 about the same height, with 10 detached finlets. Caudal deeply 

 forked, nearly 1 times length of head. Lateral line at first in 

 upper 4th of body, descends gradually with undulations towards 

 the end of the soft dorsal fin until it arrives below the oth finlet, 

 after which it is nearly straight ; central keel well developed on free 

 portion of tail. 



Colour (of preserved specimen), dark neutral tint on back and 

 upper part of body, light-coloured on sides and belly ; rows of 

 elongated dark blotches on body, 3 below lateral line like interrupted 

 lines ; spinous dorsal and posterior margin of upper lobe of caudal 

 black ; pectorals, soft dorsal and anal covered with minute dark 

 specks. 



One specimen, 374 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson, 

 Natal ; said to be common at Durban, where it is netted off the 

 beach. 



