86 LABKID^. 



suboperculum, and the upper part of the interoperculum scaly ; the last is as broad as 

 the diameter of the eye. Dorsal spines stout, the longest being one-fifth of the length 

 of the head ; they increase in length posteriorly. Third anal spine longest ; it is equal 

 to the third of the dorsal, and is contained five times and a half in the length of the 

 head. Caudal truncated. First ventral ray produced. 



Colour rosy; a series of bright-blue spots on the back, close to the base of the 

 dorsal, and two or three more or less indistinct longitudinal series of pearly spots along 

 the sides. Axil of pectoral blue. A greenish blotch on the posterior part of the oper- 

 culum, and a broad blue patch on the inferior half of the prseoperculum. An indistinct 

 blue band round the orbit, continued on the snout to about the middle of the maxillary. 

 Lower lip bluish, with a very faint blue band parallel to it lower down. 



Length 7 inches. 



Zanzibar. 



PTERAGOGUS, Peters. 



295. Pteragogus taeniops. [266, 476.] 



Cossyphus taeniops, Peters, Wiegm. Arch. 1855, p. 262. 

 Pteragogus taeniops, Giinth. Fish. iv. p. 102. 



D. g. A. |. L. lat. 23-25. 



Very similar in general appearance to Duynuerhi, but differing from it in the 

 formula of the fins ; the first ray of the ventral also is much more produced than the 

 lobes of the dorsal. 



The height of the body is contained twice and two-thirds, and the length of the head 

 four times in the total length. Two posterior canine teeth in the upper jaw. The 

 vertical limb of the prseoperculum distinctly serrated. The lobes of the anterior dorsal 

 and anal spines are very slightly produced ; the spines of the former increase in length 

 posteriorly. The first ventral ray is much produced, and reaches to the middle of the 

 anal. Caudal acutely rounded. 



Colour in life violet, variegated with darker and lighter, and covered with numerous 

 faint blue spots. A Y-shaped darker mark between anterior margins of orbits and 

 front of snout ; a similarly coloured band between the posterior margins of orbits, and 

 a vertical band with lighter edges from base of orbits to posterior joint of lower jaw; 

 a narrow blue line parallel to the denticulated limb of prseoperculum ; a rectangular, 

 black, light-edged spot between the first and second dorsal spines ; the rest of that fin 

 is marbled with red, white, and brown, and has an orange margin. A black spot on 

 base of pectorals. 



Length 5^ inches. 



Zanzibar. Mozambique. 



