54 



DISCOVERY REPORTS 



Depth of body 5 to 5§ in the length, length of head 4 to 4I. Snout shorter than 

 eye, diameter of which is z\ to z\ in length of head and about twice interorbital width. 

 Maxillary extending to below middle of eye; lower jaw a little shorter than upper; 

 barbel \ to nearly \ diameter of eye ; teeth in villiform bands, those of the outer series 

 scarcely larger than the remainder. 15 to 18 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 

 Dorsal 7-8, 60-66; anal 56-63. Pectoral with 24 or 25 rays, length about \\ in that of 

 head. Pelvics 5-rayed ; longest ray nearly as long as head. Median fins with dark margins. 



Hah. Patagonian-Falklands region; Straits of Magellan; southern Chile. 



In addition to the above, there are 4 specimens (130-225 mm.) in the British Museum 

 collection, including the types of the species. 



Fig. 24. Physiculus marginatus. x f . 



A Synopsis of the Species of Physiculus 

 I have been led to examine all the specimens of this genus in the British Museum 

 collection, but, as several species are not represented, it has proved impossible to draw 

 up a satisfactory key for their identification. 



Provisional key to the species 

 I. Barbel present. 



A. Second dorsal with 42 to 48 rays; anal with 40 to 53 rays; body stout, the depth 3! to 



4^ in the length ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... backus, barbatus. 



B. Second dorsal with 49 to 73 rays; anal with 54 to 74 rays; body usually more slender, 

 the depth 4! to 6 in the length. 



1. 15 to 20 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. 



a. Eye z\ to 2§ in head; about 13 scales in an oblique series from first dorsal to 

 lateral line ; median fins with dark margins ... ... ... ... ... marginatus. 



b. Eye 3! in head; about 7 scales in an oblique series from first dorsal to lateral 

 line ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... rastrelliger . 



2. 7 to 14 gill-rakers (including rudiments) on lower part of anterior arch. 



a. Eye 3 in head, which is 45 to 4! in length of body; maxillary to below posterior 

 margin of pupil... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... capensis. 



b. Eye 3^ to 5 in head, which is 3! to 4! in length of body. 

 (i) Maxillary to below posterior part of eye or beyond. 



a. Eye 3 \ in head; pelvics much shorter than head ... ... ... fulvus. 



/3. Eye 3§ to 3! in head; pelvics longer than head ... ... ... nematopus. 



y. Eye \\ to 5 in head ; pelvics a little shorter than head 



argyropastus, nigrescens, grinnelli. 



