ON FISHES FROM THE PERSIAN GULF. 327 



isli; in the female, anterior dorsal with a large oblong black spot between 

 third and fourth rays ; second dorsal with series of spots on the rays. 



Length, to base of caudal, 35 mm. 



Two specimens from Muscat, 15-30 fathoms. 



This species approaches the genus Vulsus in the structure of the 

 prseopercular spine. 



Blbnnius persicus (PL II, fig. 1). 



Depth of body nearly equal to length of head and 5-5f times in the 

 length (without caudal). Diameter of eye about £ the length of head 

 and twice the interorbital width. Snout uearly vertical ; cleft of mouth 

 extending to below posterior margin of eye. No canine teeth. A pair 

 of well-developed simple tentacles inserted close together on the occiput 

 and a pair of smaller simple tentacles at the anterior nostrils ; no supra- 

 orbital tentacles ; no occipital crest. Dorsal XII, 20 ; the spinous 

 portion composed of flexible spines, the longest § the length of head, 

 the twelfth much shorter, about \ the length of the longest ray, which 

 is | the length of head ; a notch between the two dorsals ; last dorsal 

 ray connected by a membrane to the procurrent rays of caudal. Anal 23. 

 Caudal truncate rounded. Pectoral slightly longer than head, extending 

 to origin of anal. Sides of body with 6 obscure dark blotches or bars 

 and anteriorly with 4-6 vertical whitish stripes which extend across 

 the abdomen below, posteriorly with small white spots ; spinous dorsal 

 with 3 dark bars, running obliquely forwards and upwards, confluent at 

 the margin and below continuous with those of the body ; second dorsal 

 dusky, with oblique white stripes running backwards and upwards and 

 breaking up into spots near the margin ; caudal dusky, barred with 

 white spots ; anal with blackish marginal and light intramarginal bands. 



Length, to base of caudal, 72 mm. 



Three specimens from the Persian Gulf, 10-20 fathoms. 

 Salarias anomalus (PL II, fig. 4). 



Depth of body nearly equal to length of head and 4|-5 times in 

 the length (without caudal). Diameter of eye nearly \ the length 

 of head and twice the interorbital width. Forehead projecting beyond 

 the snout ; cleft of mouth extending to below posterior margin of 

 eye. No canine teeth. Anterior nostrils with a pair of well-developed 

 simple tentacles, which arise almost at the orbital margin in front of 

 the middle of the eye ; no supraorbital or occipital tentacles, no occipital 

 crest. Dorsal XII, 19-20, the spinous portion composed of flexible 



