484 



Annals of the South African Must' tun. 



of scales on cheek, width of scaly part -} to a little more than diameter 

 of eye. Gill-rakers short, 16 to 20 on lower part of anterior arch. 



Dorsal xv-xvi 10-12 ; last spine longest, \ to \ length of head ; 

 longest soft ray f to & length of head. Pectoral -& to a little longer 

 than head, reaching vertical of origin of anal or beyond. Ventral 

 reaching vent or origin of anal. Anal iii 9-10 ; 3rd spine a little 

 shorter than last dorsal spine. Caudal rounded in the adult, truncate 

 in the young ; caudal peduncle as long as deep or slightly deeper than 

 long. Scales cycloid, 28-31 ^|, lateral lines ,~ 6 - 



n 



PIG. 120. Tilapia mossambica. f . 



Colour (of preserved specimens) brownish, reddish, or olive brown, 

 usually darker above than below and the scales with dark centre or a 

 band on outer rim ; a dark opercular spot ; dorsal, anal, and caudal 

 generally dark or with dark spots; dorsal and caudal edged with 

 yellowish white. 



Five specimens, ranging from 125-262 mm. in length, from 

 Manzemntonto River, Transvaal (Major J. Stevenson Hamilton). 



Four specimens, ranging from 166-249 mm. in length, from Dwaars 



River, Transvaal. 



One specimen, 176 mm. in length, from Lake N'gami (H. F. 



Kirkham). 



