90 Annals of the South African Museum. 



higher and J length of head ; inserted nearly opposite to angle 

 of preoperculum, somewhat distant from each other and not reach- 

 ing as far back as the pectorals do. Anal 85 ; commences imme- 

 diately behind vent, which is situated well in front of the middle 

 of the body. Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal. Thin 

 scales on anterior part of dorsal fin, reaching to about J its height. 

 Lateral line slightly curved, runs parallel to upper margin of body, 

 very indistinctly marked posteriorly ; about 8 or 9 scales in trans- 

 verse series between it and base of 1st ray of dorsal fin. 



Colour (of preserved specimen), light yellowish brown, speckled ; 

 anal, caudal and posterior extremity of dorsal fin black-edged. 



One specimen, 184 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- 

 ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off Natal coast, in 440 fms. ; Cape Natal, 

 N. by E. 24 miles. 



FAMILY SYNGNATHIDAE. 



GEN. SYNGNATHUS, Art. 



SYNGNATHUS ZANZIBARENSIS, Giinth. 

 Fishes Zanzibar, p. 140, pi. 20, fig. 5. 1887. 



Depth of body slightly greater than its breadth. Length of head 

 nearly 11 times in total length ; distance from snout to vent about 

 ^ the distance between the vent and caudal ; snout 5-f- times as 

 long as eye, which is 10 times in length of head and slightly less 

 than interorbital width ; interocular space concave ; operculum 

 swollen, finely radiated ; occiput and nape with a median ridge. 



Dorsal with 26 rays, which are slightly less than depth of body ; 

 base of fin elevated and stands on 6 rings ; length of base equals 

 length of snout from centre of eye. Pectorals ^ length of head. 

 Anal minute and situated immediately behind vent, which is placed 

 below the middle of the dorsal fin. Caudal minute. Osseous rings 

 22, 63. Trunk rather deeper than broad, with a slight swelling in 

 the middle; osseous shields without spines; tail tetrahedral, taper- 

 ing but not terminating in a point, width of upper surface slightly 

 less than that of lower and the former feebly and the latter 

 distinctly concave. 



Colour (of preserved specimen), brown, with a few darker spots on 

 sides and snout. 



