88 Annals of the South African Museum. 



filamentous ; 2nd dorsal commences in the middle third of the total 

 length and is highest in front, the 4th ray longest and about the 

 length of the head, each ray is unbranched but articulated and 

 slender, the membranes deeply notched, the last 10 rays are very 

 short and slender, almost like a distinct fin, the posterior rays are 

 lengthened and extend nearly to the base of the caudal. The 

 dorsal and anal rays can be laid backwards in a groove formed by 

 the scales along the base of these fins. Pectorals T 7 <y length of head. 

 Ventrals arise under the throat ; 6 rays, the outer 3 being compressed 

 and elongated, 3^ times in length of head and reaching to about 

 21st ray of anal. Anal 22 +# +20; similar to 2nd dorsal. The 

 vent is situated at the end of the anterior third of the total length. 

 Scales cycloid, small. Lat. 1. 64, lat. tr. f . 



Colour (of preserved specimen), silvery, back brownish, sides 

 faint greenish yellow ; minutely dotted with brown. 



One specimen, 59 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- 

 ment trawler P. Faure (s.) 11 miles off Cape Natal ; depth 185 fms. 



FAMILY OPHIDIIDAE. 



GEN. SELACHOPHIDIUM, Gilchr. 



SELACHOPHIDIUM GUENTHEBI, Gilchr. 

 Mar. Inv. S. Afric. ii. 1903, p. 209, pi. 17. 



Teeth in a villiform band on each jaw, and on vorner and 

 palatines. Depth of body 6f times in total length excluding 

 caudal, length of head 5f times. Longitudinal diameter of eye 

 2f times in length of head ; vertical diameter of eye 4 T 7 Q times 

 in length of head, scarcely shorter than length of snout and slightly 

 longer than interorbital width ; head conical, slightly depressed in 

 front of the eyes ; snout wedge-shaped, blunt and projecting beyond 

 mouth ; maxillary reaches to vertical of posterior third of eye, 

 dilated posteriorly ; glandular tissue on preoperculum, with one 

 large pore; a sharp spine on operculum; mouth large, inferior, 

 horizontal ; gillrakers 15 on lower part of anterior arch, those next 

 the angle long, the last 7 mere knobs. Inside of mouth and gill- 

 chambers black. 



Dorsal 115 ; commence a little behind pectorals, about equal 

 in height throughout, rays about ^ length of head. Pectorals 



