13b" PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



line, while on the caudal peduncle there are seven rows, three above and three 

 below. The anterior portion of the lateral line runs along eighteen scales, 

 and the posterior along nine. A row from the front of the anus would end 

 above, near the seventh dorsal spine. The scales of the cheeks are in three 

 regular rows, without including those in the limb. 



D. XIV. 11. A. III. 8. C. 3. I. 7. 7. I. 3. P. I. 1. 13. V. I. 5. 



The color of alcoholic specimens is purplish brown above, fading into lighter 

 on the sides, where margaritaceous spots on each scale form faint, interrupted 

 longitudinal lines. The sides have five ovate black spots terminating in 

 lighter processes above and below, and forming indistinct vertical bands. The 

 first is above the base of the pectoral fin ; the second on the seventh to ninth 

 oblique rows of scales ; the third above the spines of the anal fin ; the fourth 

 nearly behind the fins, and the fifth at the base of the caudal. The head is 

 uniform and like the body, except at the angle of the operculum, where there 

 is a rhomboidal black spot, and bordered before and behind, below the angle, 

 with margaritaceous. The fins are immaculate ; the ventrals only having the 

 external half dark purple. 



This species is closely allied to the Hemichromis fasciatus of Peters, but is 

 distinguished from it by the uniform color of the fins, the presence of only 

 five vertical bands, the margaritaceous margination of the opercular spot and 

 the presence of only eight anal rays, the last two of which are simple, but 

 entirely separated. Dr. Peters attributes to his species the formula for the 



3 

 scales 2S -, I do not know whether this indicates the actual number of rows 



9 

 or the sum of those pierced for the two parts of the lateral line. If the latter 

 is the case, it would nearly agree with the H. auritus. 



Specimens of this species were obtained by Mr. DtiChaillu in the Gaboon 

 River,* and are preserved in the Museums of the Academy of Natural Sci- 

 ences of Philadelphia and of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Length from snout to end of median caudal rays 4 1 - 100 



Body Greatest height 29 



Height behind dorsal fin 13 



Height of caudal peduncle 11 



Length " " lOi 



Greatest thickness 13^ 



Head Length laterally , 30 



Height at preopercular margin 23 



pupil 18 



of preorbital end of jaw 4V 



near nostril 3| 



Length of snout 9 



* Miny specimens of a new Cyprinodont allied io the African Pof-cilia> of A- Dumeril 

 were also collected. It may be called Epiplatys sexfasciatus Gill. Allied to E. homalo- 

 iiutus, but the head above is ohlung, with the snout transversely semicircular and the 

 lower jaw little but uniformly prominent. The caudal peduncle is not consiricted, and 

 its length equals the height behind the dorsal 



3 



D. 3. 7 (3. 8.) A. 3. 12. Scales 28-. 



5 



The color is reddish, wiih six bands below the lateral line ; Is', behind the pe toral ; 

 2d, close before the ventral ; 3d, close before the anal; 4ih, over ninih to eleventh anal 

 rays ; 5th, behind dorsal ; 6th, at end of caudal peduncle. 



The name of Epipla lysis proposed for the present species and the Poccilia omalonata , 

 P. spi/lara-i/rcia and P. spitanchen of A. Dumenl, which differ from the true Poecilite 

 ? P. vivipara Schneid., P. Surinamensis Val.) by the longer anal, whose hinder portion 

 is opposite to thf dorsal, &c. Mollinesia is distinguished by the difference of the sexes 

 and the large dorsal. 



[March, 



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