BY J. DOUGLAS OGILBY. 185 



the black spot anteriorly on the dorsal fin, which is said to be 

 present in C. Ihiihata and C. laarginata." 



With regard to these two species, it can hardly be contended 

 that Cuvier and Valenciennes have made good their claim to 

 specific distinction, while on the other hand Day has described 

 unmistakably an Indian species which possesses the characteristic 

 black dorsal spot. Having, therefore, three reputed species 

 bearing this spot, two of which are only known from old and 

 possibly inaccurate figures, it seems to me that until further light 

 is thrown on the subject it would be extremely unwise to keep 

 all three in the system as valid species. 



Appended is a list of the species as I would at present place 

 them : — 



1. Cepola macrophthali)ais, Linnseus, Syst. Nat. ed. x. 1758 ; 



Mediterranean and north-eastern Atlantic, 

 la. C. ruhescens schlegelii, Bleeker, Verb. Batav. Gen. xxvi. 1856, 

 p. 110; Japan. 



2. C austi'cdis, Ugilby (i: infra); Port Jackson, southeastern 



Australia. 



3. Acanthocepola krusensternii, Schlegel, Faun. Japon. Poiss. 



p. 130, 1850; Japan. 



4. A. mesoprion, Bleeker, I.e. p. 109; Japan. 



5. A. oxylepii^, Bleeker, Verb. Ak. Amst. xviii. 1&79, p. 8; China. 

 '6. A. indica, Day, Suppl. Fish. Ind. p. 796, 1888; Madras. 



1 = A. limbata, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss. x. 



p. 402; Japan.* 

 1 = A. Tnarginata, Cuvier & Valenciennes, I.e.; Japan. 

 7. A. ahhreviata, Cuvier it Valenciennes, I.e. p. 403; Malay 



Archipelago to China. 



Cepola australis, sp.nov. 



D. 57. A. 48. 



Depth of body 11|, length of head 9 in the total length; width 

 of body I of its depth. 8nout obtuse, rounded, shorter than the 



* This being the earliest name, must be used should the three forms, 

 prove to be identical. 



