168 MUGILID.E. 



tionately shorter, whilst the web, by which it is connected to the back behind, 

 is usually entire. The acuminate scaly laminae, or appendages, at each side the 

 base of this fin, and at the upper axil of the ventral fins, resemble those of 

 M. corrugatus, but are broader, less acuminate, and not quite so long ; those be- 

 longing to the dorsal fin not reaching nearly to the end of its base, or little more 

 than halfway from the base to the tip of its fourth spine when reclined. The 

 second dorsal and the anal fins are set on forwarder, or further from the root 

 of the caudal fin, than in M. corrugatus. 



The scales are large, and in general, perhaps, more rounded than in M. cor- 

 rugatus ; but clothing the head, opercles, body, and fins, precisely in the same 

 manner. Several above the upper axil of the pectoral fins are more pointed 

 than the rest ; but not larger, or otherwise peculiar. On their removal fi'om the 

 top of the head or nape, it is found to be marked, much in the same way as in 

 M. corrugatus, with curvato-linear scars, or hollows, placed somewhat symme- 

 trically. The second and third spines of the first dorsal fin are scaly alter- 

 nately on opposite sides. The second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are scaly 

 at the base ; and the latter especially is scaled a long way up between the 

 rays in imbricated silver rows. 



The general tint, especially of the fins, is paler and browner than in M. cor- 

 rugatus ; and the scales have no dark border or crescent. Of the six or eight 

 longitudinal stripes along the sides, the lowest four or five are brown, not black ; 

 and the pure pearly or milk white of the belly reaches higher up the sides. The 

 top of the head, nape, and back, is dark grey rather than black. But from 

 its earliest stage to its full size, this fish is permanently characterized by a 

 large spreading conspicuous brassy or golden patch on the opercle or cheeks be- 

 hind the eye ; reflecting beautiful metallic iridescent tints, and not, as in M. cor- 

 rvgatus, evanescent. 



The edge of the lips, particularly of the lower, is rose or flesh colour. The 

 inside of the mouth is white, tinged with lilac. The iris is at first dark cop- 

 pery or golden brown, with the inner edge next the pupil light or pale brassy : 

 in less fresh examples it is beautifully clouded with lilac, passing into blue and 

 red, mixed with a little golden, on a pearly ground. 



Fins in general pale brown (drab), especially the pectorals : the caudal bluish - 

 grey, with silver rows of scales between the rays. The hind parts of the anal 

 fin, and whole of the ventral fins, are white. The web of the first dorsal fin 

 is pellucid, the spines are dusky brown. 



In the dissection of a female individual, which measured two feet three inches 

 in length, and v/eighed five pounds and three quarters, taken in the middle of 

 March, the peritoneum was observed to be brown, speckled with black : in small 

 examples it is generally altogether coal-black. There were six or seven very 

 large and thick, but short conical caeca. The air-bladder was very large, lanceo- 

 late, pointed behind, simply obtuse or truncate forwards, and attached completely 

 to the spinal column. The ovaries were empty. 



In another female, two feet two inches long, taken at the end of May, the 

 liver was observed to be pale and large ; the gall-bladder large, but with a short 

 duct, not reaching beyond the lobes of the liver ; the intestine large and volumi- 

 nous, as in M. corrtigatus, and of the same green or brown colour ; the sto- 

 mach hard, bulbiform or clavate forwards, like a gizzard ; the ovaria long and 

 cylindric, filled only with a grumose jelly ; the air-bladder as before. There 

 were eight cceca. 



In a third full-grown female, taken in the beginning of October, measuring two 

 feet three inches and a half in length, and weighing nearly seven pounds, the 

 ovaries were full of small but well-formed eggs. There were nine ciL'ca ; the 



