24 PEISTIPOMATIDJi. 



the posterior limb emarginate, and the angle rounded but not produced backwards. 

 The supra scapula is hardly serrated. 



The origin of the dorsal is above the root of the upper pectoral ray, and its end 

 behind that of the anal. The base of the soft portion is three-fourths that of the 

 spinous ; it is strongly notched ; the spines are strong, broader on one side than on the 

 other ; the length of the first is three-sevenths that of the second ; the second is hardly 

 one-half that of the third ; the third and fifth are nearly equal, and not much shorter 

 than the fourth, which is about half the height of the body ; the length of the penul- 

 timate spine is four-fifths of that before and after it ; the last, which must be regarded 

 as belonging to the soft portion, is three-fourths that of the first ray. The soft portion 

 is lower than the spinous, the longest ray (fourth) being about equal to the seventh spine. 

 The entire dorsal can be received into a scaly sheath. 



The caudal is truncated ; the lobes have rows of scales on the membranes between 

 the rays to two-thirds of their length ; these decrease in length towards the centre, 

 which is scaly on the base only. 



The anal spines are very strong, much broader on one side than on the other; the 

 first is one-third the length of the third, and about equal to the fourth of the dorsal. 

 This fin also can be received into a scaly sheath. 



The pectoral is long and rather falciform, nearly as long as the head, but not 

 reaching to the vent ; the base is scaly to one-sixth of its length. 



The ventrals are inserted slightly behind the posterior of the base of the pectorals. 

 The first ray is about a third longer than the spine, excluding the extremity, which is 

 slightly produced and filiform. 



The scales are of moderate size ; the tubules of the lateral line are bifurcate. 



Coloration as above. 



Length 12 inches. 



Bagamoia, east coast of Africa. A specimen from Port Natal exists in the British 

 Museum. 



67. Pristipoma operculare, sp. n. Plate IV. fig. 1. [69.] 



D. 10 | Yi A. 9 3 To . L. lat. 56-60. L. transv. 11-12/19. 



Diagnosis. — Height of body equals the length of head, and is one-third of the total 

 length without caudal. The snout is pointed, and so long that the distance of its 

 extremity from the hind margin of the eye equals that between the end of operculum 

 and centre of eye. Its length is nearly two-fifths of that of the head. Prseorbital 

 naked ; the maxillary does not reach the vertical from the anterior nostril. Posterior 

 margin of prseoperculum serrated, but scarcely emarginate ; the angle is rounded and 

 armed with stronger teeth. 



