10 ON SPECIES OF GASTEROPELECUS. 
a third band parallel with the other two passes through 
the base of the pectoral from the breast to the lateral line ; 
and a narrow stripe of light color edged with darker, ex- 
tends along the vertebral column on each flank. Usually 
there are several indistinct spots of darker color on the 
back, above the light stripe, one of Avhich is situated at 
the hinder end of the base of the dorsal. A couple of 
short streaks of dark from the chin appear to meet in an 
acute angle just behind the eye. The thoracic bands are 
separated from each other by bands of light color equally 
wide. In coloration this form resembles to some extent 
G. stngaius of Giinther which is said to have four blackish 
bands on the thorax, radiating from the middle of its con- 
vex edge, in addition to a blackish band along the base 
of the anal fin, and the formula is D. 9, A. 27, L.l. 25. A 
large number of specimens have been examined, but 
without discovering one on which there were less than 
thirty scales in the lateral line. Specimens from Lake 
Saraca have faint markings, those from Cudajas have 
them more distinct, but yet appearing faded, while the 
darkest and most vivid are on those from Manacapouru 
and Tabatino^a. 
