NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 17 



the posterior is near the upper angle of the orbit ; the anterior is minute, and 

 close to the upper extremity of the maxillary bone. Eyes of moderate size. 

 Branchial apertures lateral. Scales ctenoid, at least on the trunk ; small scales 

 extending over the entire head, except the snout. Anterior dorsal fin with 

 seven rays. 



From the above description, it is evident that the genus is very nearly allied 

 to Philypnus, and may perhaps be even identical with it. It probably, how- 

 ever, differs by having the branchial apertures more restricted and not extend- 

 ing so far forwards ; by the more distant nostrils, which are not described as 

 having raised margins, and possibly the smaller size of the scales on the head. 

 The anterior dorsal has also seven rays, while Philypnus has only six, in 

 common with most of the Gobioids. But all of these distinctions remain to be 

 verified, and it is hoped that the author will give the true characters in that 

 volume of his work in which the Gobioids will be described. 



Although Dr. Giinther appears to have been undoubtedly mistaken as to the 

 affinities of his genus Lembus, the excellence and appropriateness of his de- 

 scription have left us in no doubt as to its true relations. The genital papilla 

 is not mentioned as being present, but it was undoubtedly overlooked. 



A single species of Lembus is known. 



Lembus maculatus Giinthcr. 

 Synonymy. 



Lembus maculatus Gtinther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, 

 vol. i. p. 505. 



The species is thus characterized by Giinther : 



" Yellowish, irregularly spotted with blackish, back with five dark cross- 

 bars ; a black blotch behind the extremity of the operculum ; three blackish 

 streaks radiating from the eye, the vertical fins dotted with blackish." 



There are fifty-seven scales in a longitudinal line, and twenty-two (?) in a 

 transverse line. 



The radial formula is is B. 6. D. vii. I. 9, A. ii. 9. 



There are now known, if Lembus is really distinct from Philypnus, three 

 genera of the Philypnoid group. 



I. Philypnus Val. 



Represented by species dwelling in the seas, on the eastern and western sides 

 of tropical America, and ascending the fresh water streams. 



II. Lembus Giinther. 

 With one species inhabiting the mountain streams of Ecuador. 



III. Bostrichthys (Dum.) Gill. 

 Peculiar to the temperate and tropical waters of eastern and southern Asia. 



Note. In the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for January to June, 1860 

 page 236, which we have only now seen, Dr. Giinther has remarked that his Lem- 

 bus maculatus has "a prominent papilla near the vent, and is nearly allied to 

 Philypnus." We take much pleasure in recording Dr. Giinther's own correc- 

 tion of his error. It is at the same time due to ourselves to remark that we 

 had shortly after the reception of the " Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian 

 Fish," alluded to, in letters to two ichthyological friends, the affinity of Lembui 

 and Philypnus, and that we had at nearly the same time in conversation with 

 several others, expressed the same opinion. We allow the remarks and de- 

 scriptions to stand that we then composed. 



1861.] 2 



