162 MUGILID.E. 



stomach, generally gorged with a semi-fluid or pulpy uniform mass of an olive- 

 green colour, and a very fetid smell. 



All the eleven abdominal vertebrae have very large triangular and winged or 

 dilated widely divaricate apophyses beneath ; of which the anterior, except the 

 first pair of all, are the longest : the hinder being gradually shorter, except the 

 last pair or two, which are again a little longer than those immediately before them. 

 The superior (nuchal) apophyses of the first five or six vertebrte are almost con- 

 nected by thin vertical crests or lamince. The two apophyses of the first of the 

 caudal vertebrae form an arch uniting at the tip into a single apophysis, which is, 

 however, much shorter than the following. The resemblance of the whole to the 

 vertebrse of M. cephalus, Cuv., is almost perfect. 



When the scales are removed from the top of the head, it is found to be marked 

 with a few pores, and with certain short curvato-linear smooth shining marks or 

 hollows, disposed subsymmetrically. 



The individual figured measured twenty inches in length. Fig. I. in 

 the plate is a representation of the under-jaw and the throat, seen from 

 beneath, and showing the commissure of the fore-part of the branchial 

 membrane, with its pores. In most examples the edges of the branchial 

 membrane are even more straight or parallel, as well as more approximate, 

 than in this figure. The corrugated lower part of the upper lip is seen 

 to the left of the dark shaded part or hollow of the mouth. Fig. II. is a 

 view of the top of the head and muzzle from above, the scales having been 

 removed ; the upper lip is protruded. 



