46 Annals of the South African Museum. 



interrupted line on isthmus ; a light cross-band passing from an- 

 terior spines obliquely behind pectorals almost to belly behind 

 ventrals. 



Two specimens, 137 mm. and 178 mm. in length respectively, 

 taken off breakwater, Durban; from Mr. Romer Robinson, Natal, 

 who has supplied the note of the colouring when fresh. 



GEN. COSSYPHUS, Cuv. and Val. 



COSSYPHUS MACEURUS, Lac6p. 



A strong posterior canine tooth, strong canines on upper jaw pro- 

 jecting forwards. Depth of body slightly greater than length of 

 head and about 3 times in total length excluding caudal. Snout 

 twice diameter of eye, which is If times in interorbital width and a 

 little more than 5 times in length of head ; cleft of mouth oblique ; 

 jaws about equal, the upper slightly overlapping lower ; upper lip 

 broad in centre, with folds ; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior 

 3rd of eye and is entirely hidden by the preorbital ; preoperculum 

 indistinctly serrated, emarginate above the angle, which is rounded. 

 Head longer than high, its greatest height equals its length behind 

 posterior nostril, flat on top. 



Dorsal xii 10 ; spines weak and produced in a short filament, the 

 1st spine slightly lower than the remainder, which are subequal and 

 nearly ^ length of head ; soft portion of fin higher posteriorly. 

 Pectorals f length of head. Ventrals with outer rays produced but 

 not reaching anus, about same length as pectorals. Anal iii 12 ; 

 similar to soft dorsal. Caudal f length of head, truncate, outer rays 

 produced. Lat. 1. 33, lat. tr. ^. 



Colour (when fresh), " reddish on sides shading to dark on back. 

 Dark patch on side near base of tail. Belly yellowish shading to 

 smoky colour below pectorals. Under side of lower jaw light yellow. 

 Dorsals dark. Tail reddish with dark edges. Anal dark. Pec- 

 torals transparent with red at base. Eye red with black pupil." 



Colour (of preserved specimen), grey, a large black blotch along 

 the whole of the spinous dorsal fin extending on to the spines ; a 

 dark blotch between lateral line and base of soft dorsal ; whitish 

 longitudinal lines on cheeks and behind eyes, soft dorsal and anal 

 with brown dots in rows, ventrals blackish, pectorals diaphanous. 



One specimen, 256 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson, 

 Natal ; who has kindly furnished a note of the colouring when 

 fresh. 



