MUGIL AURATUS. 



169 



peritoneum was speckled with black; and the abdominal and caudal vertebrae 

 were equal in number, or twelve each. It proved a very old fish, with the bones 

 quite cellular or almost carious. The gold patch on the opercles was diffuse and 

 rather faint ; the mamillaries were quite straight, and in this example entirely con- 

 cealed when the mouth was closed. The hinder part of the preopercles exhibited 

 three hollow smooth white scars or grooves between the scales, of different lengths, 

 and running backwards to the edge, which thus appeared excised, or three-notched, 

 as in Dr. Riippell's M. macrolepidotns (Atlas zu der Reise, 140. t. xxxv. f. 2 a). 

 I am ignorant at present whether this is a constant character in the Madeiran fish, 

 having only recently observed it. 



The vertebrae do not differ appreciably from those of M. corrugatus. 



The parallel longitudinal lines or stria? on the anterior or basilary 

 triangular compartment of the scales in this fish vary from zero to ten in 

 different parts of the body. 



The top of the head and nape in large fishes resembles strongly tliat 

 of a snake or lizard. 



The example figured, taken in the middle of February, was twenty 

 inches and a half long ; and its greatest depth and thickness at the first 

 dorsal fin were respectively four and a half and two and a half inches. 



Figure I. is a view of the under jaw and throat from beneath. 



Figure II. is a view of the top of the head, with the muzzle protruded, 

 as above explained. 



