CALLANTHIAS PARADIS^US. 15 



agreeing, in the sharply two-spined opercle ; and conversely, agreeing -with 

 Centropristis in this last particular, it differs in the teeth ; equally dis- 

 agreeing with all three in the six-rayed instead of seven-rayed branchioste- 

 gous membrane. 



From Dules, Therapon, Datnia, Pelates, and Helotes, the only re- 

 maining genera with which it possibly might be confounded, on ac- 

 count of agreement in this last-named point, Callanthias may be dis- 

 tinguished thus : it differs principally from the first, which seems however 

 after Jnthias to contain its nearest natural allies, in the teeth ; from the 

 second, in the even, not notched or interrupted dorsal fin ; from the third, 

 in having teeth on the palatal bones ; from the fourth and fifth, both in • 

 the teeth and in the even dorsal fin. Whilst from the whole of these eight 

 genera it is at once distinguished by the truly entire pre-opercle, and the 

 peculiar lateral line. 



Its place in the system of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes would be next 

 Dules ; and ranging in that series of Percidce, which have the branchial 

 membrane six- rayed, it bears to Anihias, in the parallel seven-rayed series, 

 the same relation which the genus Dules bears to Centropristis. 



This little fish, so complicated in its affinities, analogies, and characters, 

 must be accounted of considerable rarity; though, doubtless, from its ge- 

 neral resemblance in colour, size, and shape, often escaping notice amongst the 

 multitudes of the common Cast'anheta (Anthias sacer, Bl.) brought almost 

 daily to the market. The fishermen, however, recognize its difference ; 

 and say, that although taken usually in company with the common sort, 

 and at an equal depth, it is a more wary fish, and only caught occasionally, 

 or, as it were, by accident. 



Some years ago a single specimen occurred; but the notes and sketch 

 then taken were deficient in detail, and, remaining so long unsupported by 

 the discovery of other individuals, seemed insufficient to warrant the inser- 

 tion of Callanthias in the Synopsis of Madeiran Fishes, last year pub- 

 lished in the Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Five in- 

 dividuals have again this year (1838), by the unwearied vigilance and kind- 

 ness of G. B. Leacock, Esq. of this island, been obtained ; and these, 

 agreeing perfectly with the first, have furnished the materials for the fol- 

 lowing description : — 



Shape oblong, compressed, slender, somewhat elongated ; the outlines of the back 

 and belly nearly straight and parallel ; the former, especially, not high and arched 

 like Anthias sacer, Bl. ; hence the comparative shallowness and slenderness of 

 form. 



The depth is nearly equal from the hinder edge of the opercle to the origin of the 

 anal fin, and is from one fifth to one sixth of the whole length, or from one third to 

 one fourth of the length from the tip of the muzzle to the middle of the fork of the 

 caudal fin. The thickness is greatest on the head just behind the eyes, and is 



