3 i6 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



Scales. Absent, but there are ossifications along the lateral line, which may be modified scales 

 (Harry, 1953 a) see Text-fig. 5 c and d and below. 



Lateral line. Roofing the gutter-like lateral line along the trunk is a fragile skin in which is set a 

 series of dumb-bell shaped ossifications, one per segment. Above and below each ossification are two 

 pores, the anterior larger than the posterior. Immediately at the end of the ossification comes a small 

 median pore (see Text-fig. 5 c). 



About ninety ossifications occur along the lateral line, the series on the right flank ending opposite 

 the origin of the adipose dorsal fin. The last few, posterior ossifications are not fully developed 

 (presumably the complete series is developed at a later stage). 



Number of vertebrae. 1 o 1 . 



Ventral carina. Distinctly developed between the pectoral and pelvic fins. 



Dentition. About twenty teeth on the premaxillae, the first being the longest, then come about 

 fourteen retrorse, thorn-like teeth followed by eight or so, small antrorse teeth. Dentary with six long 

 pointed teeth, each of which is flanked by smaller pointed teeth, usually one on each side. Palatines 

 with about 10-12 teeth, these being six hooked outer teeth, and four to six larger, depressible, pointed 

 inner teeth (see Text-fig. 56). 



fflf 



Text-fig. 5. Macroparalepis molestus sp.n. Holotype ( x 1) : a, maxillary and mandibular teeth ( x 3) ; b, palatine teeth ( x 3) : 

 c, part of lateral line to show pores and bony segments ( x 25); d, transverse section through lateral line. 



Gill-teeth. Rather widely spaced, in a single row, on the upper part of the lower limb of the first gill 

 arch. 



Colour (in spirit). Light brown with a peppering of small melanophores along the dorsal surface. 

 Three dorsal ' saddles ' of more concentrated pigmentation ; the first along the base of the dorsal fin ; the 

 second just above the origin of the anal fin, and the third just behind the adipose dorsal fin (see Text- 



% 5). 



The study of the above fish has thrown some light on the status of Macroparalepis Ege. As a result 



of his investigations, Harry (1951, 1953a) quite reasonably decided to divide Macroparalepis Ege into 

 two genera, these corresponding to divisions I and II of Ege's (1933) synopsis of the species. Macro- 

 paralepis was restricted to division I of the key, while division II was placed under another genus, 

 Stemonosudis. 



Macroparalepis molestus described above is awkwardly intermediate between these two genera. Like 

 Macroparalepis, as defined by Harry (1953), the nostrils of M. molestus come before the tip of the 

 maxillary; like Stemonosudis the body is slightly compressed and very elongate, the tip of the lower jaw 

 is not elevated and the end of the upper jaw is about 1 orbital diameter from the anterior margin of the 

 eye. 



