NO. 2294. FISHES FROM WEST AFRICA— FCnVLER. 213 



edge entire. Rakers 5 + 7 short knobs, 2| in filaments, and latter 1| 

 in eye. Pseudobranchiae nearly large as gOl-filaments. Scales large, 

 in rows parallel with lateral line. Patch of scales above preopercle, 

 few in postocular region, though opercles scaly, head otherwise 

 naked. Smaller scales on breast and base of caudal than on trunk. 

 Cheek marked by broad area of fine vertical reticulations, all below 

 eye. Suprascapula entire. Scales minutely ciliated and basal 

 striae about 10. Lateral line largely concurrent with back, tubes 

 large and simple. Spinous dorsal mserted about over pectoral origin, 

 fourth spine (damaged) longest, all spines rather robust. Soft dorsal 

 inserted little nearer caudal base than hind preopercle edge, fin 

 rounded, sixth ray 2f in head. Spmous anal inserted little nearer 

 pectoral origin than caudal base, third or longest spme 3f m head, 

 and rayed fin like soft dorsal. Caudal little emarginate, upper lobe 

 If in head. Pectoral about f to anal, pointed, upper rays longest. 

 If in head. Ventral uiserted just behmd pectoral base, extends as 

 far back, spine about three-fifths of fin, which If m head. Vent 

 about half an eye-diameter before anal. Color in alcohol largely 

 dull uniform brownish, back darker or more olivaceous. Fins all 

 plain pale browTiish. Length, 368 mm. 



PSEUDUPENEUS PRAYENSIS (Cuvier). 



Head, 3i to 3^; depth, 3f ; D. VIII— I, 8; A. I, 5 or 6; scales, 

 28 or 29 in lateral line to caudal base, and 3 more on latter; 3 scales 

 above lateral line and 6 below; 7 predorsal scales to occiput; snout, 

 1|- to li% in head; eye, 5 to 5J; maxillary, 2f to 2|; interorbital, 

 31- to 4. Upper teeth biserial. Thi*ee outer teeth each side little 

 enlarged and flaring out somewhat backward. No teeth on mouth 

 roof. Cheek with three rows of scales. Scales finely ciliated and 

 with about five basal striae. Two examples, 203 to 209 mm. 



The pale spots shown in Bleeker's figure are not now very evident. 



BALISTES FORCIPATUS Gmelin. 



Head, 3; depth, 2; D. Ill— m, 26; A. ii, 23; P. i, 12; scales, 

 61 from gill-opening to caudal base and 7 more on latter; 33 scales 

 from rictus to pectoral origin; snout. If in head; eye, 6; interorbital, 

 3f . Body well compressed, contour ellipsoid. Caudal peduncle and 

 head compressed, profiles slightly concave in front. Preorbital 

 groove about four-fifths of eye. Mouth small, with thick fleshy lips. 

 Median pair of teeth largest and aU teeth distinctly notched. Nos- 

 trils together, about two-fifths of eye-diameter before eye close 

 over preorbital groove. Interorbital convex. Gill-opening little 

 inchned, equals two-fifths of eye. Scales all roughened, asperities 

 usually in vertical series. Front of fh-st dorsal spine asperous, fins 

 otherwise smooth. Ventral spine rough, followed by 10 narrow thin 



