98 Transactions. — Zoology. 



the parore captured in one haul of the long mullet-net, but 

 the fishermen, generally without exception, throw them back 

 into the water as soon as taken out of the net. It is a fish of 

 very great vitality, living for some considerable time out of the 

 water. Its flesh, though not rich, is very fair food. 



Fam. SPAEID^. 



Group CANTHAEINA. 



Genus Gieella. 



Girella multilineata, sp. nov. 



D., 15 + 1 simple + 11 branched (last ray double) ; P., 

 1 short spine + 1 simple + 11 branched + 3 feeble simple 

 rays; V., 1 + 5; A., 3 spinous + 1 simple + 11 branched 

 (last double); C., 16; B.E., 6, the first very short and 

 feeble. 



Head is to body and tail (total length) as 5 is to 22 ; 

 head is to body (to base of caudal) a trifle more than as 1 is 

 to 4. 



Depth is to total length as 5|- is to 17^ ; depth is to body 

 to base of caudal as 1 is to 3. 



Scales : L.T. (i^ to where they become buried in the epi- 

 dermis when the lower part of belly is approached), if dorsal- 

 fin base to median line of ventral surface. L.L., 53. Small 

 scales on extreme upper angle of operculum. None on sub-, 

 pre-, or inter-opercula. A patch of small scales behind the 

 eyes, and from thence extending down on to the lower part 

 of cheeks. Nose, top of head, round top of eyes in front, and 

 under eyes scaleless and soft-skinned. 



Nostrils double, small, anterior, circular, with low sur- 

 rounding skinny wall, slightly higher in posterior part. 

 Posterior nostril oval, a little larger, no appendage. A low 

 scaly sheath follows foot of posterior portion of spinal part of 

 dorsal, and runs also partly along foot of branched portion. 

 Branched rays of dorsal and anal comparatively slender. 



The scales on the belly, from throat to anal orifice, are 

 subcutaneous. Scales moderate in size on sides ; small on 

 back and belly. They are very tightly afiixed, and scale- 

 pockets nearly cover them, making scale-markings but indis- 

 tinct when fish is first out of the water. They are of slight 

 though tough texture and finely ctenoid. The scahng con- 

 tinues well on to base of caudal fin and membrane thereof, 

 also on to base of anal. 



Caudal fin is broad and large, slightly falcate at tips. 

 Second and third spines of anal fin very strong, first much 

 slighter. Dorsal spines stout and strong. Pectorals small, 

 narrow, and rather sHght, with slender rays ; the three lowest 



