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Ihere are 35 rows of scales between temple and ba^L. 

 caudal ; scales cover the head, including middle line of inter- 

 orbital space, but not jaws, throat, and top of snout. 



The pectorals reach nearly to the base of the caudal the 

 ventrals to about the 4th ray of the anal. None of the caudal 

 rays are prolonged. 



Colour (m form aim) : Dorsal fin mottled with black, anal 

 and caudal with scattered black dots^ ventral and pectoral 

 black, body brownish. 



This new species seems nearest to P. macrurus, Alcock. 



Localily. Three specimens were found 2^ miles off the 

 Umhlanga River mouth (Natal). Depth, 22 to 26 fathoms ; 

 bottom, fine sand. The largest of these was 85 mm. in length 

 (including caudal). 



Fain. SQUAMIPINNES. 



Histiopterus spinifer, n.sp. 



(Plate XXI.) 



D. IV 26. A. Ill 10. P. i;. L. 1. 64. C. 4 + i; + 2. 



Height of body a little over 2^ in length, the highest point 

 being at the last spines of the dorsal. . Head if in height of 

 body ; snout 2\ in head. Diameter of eye 3f in length of head, 

 near y equal to tne interorbital space, which is slightlv concave 

 bmall clusters of spines, which might rather be designated 

 tubercles, occur (i) in the median frontal region just behind 

 the head, (2) over the orbit, (3) above the upper angle of the 

 opercular opening, (4) at the angle of the pre-operculum, and 

 v5) above the maxillary The scales of the body are small and 

 ctenoid. On the head they are only present on the cheek and 

 above the operculum, being absent on the frontal region, snout, 

 operculum, and apparently the^ lower jaw. 



'v7^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^'^ ^™^^^' forming a broad band in both jaws. 

 1 here are none on the vomer or palatines. 



The dorsal fin is very high, its longest ray being longer than 



the height of the body in the proportion of 11 to 10. It is 



•<:overed at its base by scales. The ventrals extend to beyond 



the root of the caudal, and are longer than the depth of body. 



The anal extends to about the posterior third of the caudal. 



Colour: The body (in spirit) is an uniform dark brown, be- 

 ■coming almost black on the fins. 



Only one specimen was procured by trawl. 



Locality: Mossel Bay; depth, 30—36 fathoms; bottom, mud. 



