328 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVI. 



spines, elevated, the longest spines in some examples ( ? females) 

 less than the depth of body, in others ( ? males) produced, more than 

 the depth of body ; second dorsal low, the last ray attached by a 

 membrane to the caudal peduncle anterior to the procurrent caudal rays. 

 Anal 23-24. Caudal rounded, but with the outer rays produced, giving 

 a trilobed appearance. Pectoral shorter than the head, not extending 

 to origin of anal. Brownish ; fins pale ; margin of anal and middle rays 

 of caudal blackish. 



Length, to base of caudal, 60 mm. 



Several specimens from the Persian Gulf and the Mekran Coast. 

 Petroscirtes mekranensis. 



Depth of body equal to length of head, 5^ times in the length 

 (without caudal). Snout not projecting beyond the mouth, which 

 extends to below the middle of eye. Diameter of eye \ the length of 

 head and greater than the interorbital width. Canine teeth strong, 

 specially in the lower jaw. A well-developed triangular crest extend- 

 ing from between the eyes nearly to origin of dorsal ( ? in males only) - 

 no tentacles. Dorsal 32, highest posteriorly. Anal 23. Caudal 

 rounded. Pectoral •!, ventral § the length of head. 6 pairs of dark 

 vertical bars on sides of body, and posteriorly small white spots also ; 

 head with similar bars which are, however, irregular and somewhat 

 oblique ; occipital crest with dark vermiculations ; dorsal anteriorly 

 with dark median and marginal longitudinal lines ; anal and pectoral 

 with dark lower margin. 



Length, to base of caudal, 4K mm. 



A single specimen from Jask, Mekran Coast. 



Petroscirtes townsendi (PI. Ill, fig. 7). 



Depth of body about 5J times in the length (without caudal), length 

 of head 4§ times. Snout projecting beyond the mouth, which is 

 transverse inferior, below anterior part of eye. Diameter of eye ^ the 

 length of head and equal to the interorbital width. No canines in the 

 upper jaw, those of the lower jaw strong. Head without crest or 

 tentacles. Dorsal 34, with the rays gradually decreasing in length in 

 the latter half of the fin. Anal 22. Caudal emarginate. Pectoral f , 

 ventral x the length of head. Brownish, fins pale ; anterior part of 

 dorsal with a prominent black marginal stripe. 



Leneth, to base of caudal, 31 mm. 



A single specimen from Jask, Mekran Coast. 



