312 EXPF.DITIOX OF THE " AL15ATR0SS," 1S99-1900. 



No. A23, a male specimen, I2§ inches long, from Rangiroa, Pauniotu Is- 

 lands. This specimen has head 4.1) in length; depth 2.67; eye 4 in head; dis- 

 tance from front of eye to tip of horn 3.2 in length; eye to tip of u])per lij) 1.6 

 in head; dorsal VI, 28; anal II, 29. 



No. A23 is a male and has the snout much longer than the other specimens, 

 its length measured from underneath is 21 inches long and just equals length 

 of head; the two spines on each side of the caudal peduncle are longer than those 

 in the other specimens, and are close together; their distance apart being less 

 than their height; they are broad, sharp and hooked forward, the posterior 

 one the hirger; its height measured on the anterior edge is slightly less than its 

 base; soft dorsal and anal, when depressed, reach the bases of upper and lower 

 caudal rays respectively; caudal truncate. 



Ground color, a dark brown on back, graduated to a lighter bi'own on side 

 and belly; horn marked by narrow longitudinal dusky stripes; cheeks, pre- 

 orbital, and preopercle covered with small round dark spots ; opercle with round 

 dark spots on its upper part, becoming oblong and line-like on lower portion; 

 opercular membrane or flap creamy white ; back thickly covered with very small 

 round dusky spots, becoming slightly vertical, oblong in the region of lateral line, 

 and increasing in length on the sides, anteriorly forming linear oblong spots, 

 and on the middle of the body narrow vertical bands; just anterior to caudal 

 spines the spots are round; these markings reach a horizontal line extending 

 from the lower base of the pectoral posteriorly, to about the beginning of the 

 posterior 4th of the base of the soft anal; base of caudal spotted; dorsal and 

 anal plain light brown, the membrane of spinous portion shows traces of a 

 narrow black margin; pectoral light brown, with indication of a lighter margin; 

 caudal greenish yellow, with a dark grayish brown terminal margin; breast, 

 throat, and abdominal region, plain light brown, showing traces of a few \('iy 

 small dusky darker spots just below pectoral. 



Nos. A15 and A18, both females. The horn of Al"), measured from below, is 

 1.56 inches long and is 1.5 in head; tlu^ horn of AIS is 1.37 inches long and is 

 1.71 in luvul. The spines on caudal peduncle of A15 are smaller and farther 

 apart than in A23; their distance apart being much greater than their height 

 or the length of their base; the spines are rounded and not triangular as in A23, 

 and about half as high as length of base; slightly inclined forward, but not 



