8G SALMONID^E. 



place ; and the two woiikl appear to agree in one point only, riz. that 

 the scales are more conspicuous than usual ! As regards the question 

 whether JS. spectahilis (Heckel) might possibly be identical with S. 

 microli'pis, 1 do not think that we should be justified in entertaining 

 this idea, as S. mu'rolepis has small and rather inconspicuous scales, 

 which must be larger in *S. spectahUii^ (Heckel), viz. " 120 and more." 

 The figure representing S. spectabilis is of little use; it does not agree 

 with the description, and shows several evident inaccuracies. 



VII. France. 



15. Salmo argenteus. 



Fario argenteus, C'm\ ^ Val. xxi. p. 294, pi. GIG (female), (not synon.). 

 B. 11. D. 14. A. 11. P. 15. V. 10. L.lat. 123. L. transv. 26/30- 

 Ctec. pyl. 61-67. 



Attaining to a length of 2| feet. 



Head elongate, broad, depressed, its length being one-fourth of the 

 tota llength (without caudal) in a female specimen 26 inches long ; 

 operculum rather long, rectangular behind, its length being contained 

 once and two-fifths in its depth ; radiating striaj are conspicuous 

 especially along its lower margin ; the subojDerculum is narrow, and 

 pi-ojects beyond the opercle. The posterior point of junction of oper- 

 culum and suboperculum is nearer to the lower anterior angle of the 

 subopercidum than to the upper end of the gill-opening. Prseoper- 

 culum with the lower limb well developed, with the angle but slightly 

 rounded, and with the hind margin undulated. Snout broad, of 

 moderate length ; jaw-bones strongly developed, even in females. 

 The maxillary is broad and strong, and extends to behind the orbit 

 in a female of the size indicated. Teeth of moderate strength. Head 

 of the vomer broader than long, with a transverse series of five or six 

 strong teeth on its hind margin ; body of this bone with a longitu- 

 dinal ridge, armed with a single series of teeth (there are three or 

 four teeth in the specimen described). 



Fins well developed ; caudal truncate in specimens above 20 inches 

 in length. Tail rather slender, covered with thin scales angular 

 behind and not smaller than those of the body ; there are twelve or 

 thirteen scales in a transverse series running from behind the adipose 

 fin obliquely forwards to the lateral line. 



Snvery, dark on the back ; opercles with more or less numerous 

 round black spots ; sides with X-shaped spots. 



A migratory species of the Atlantic rivers of France ; occasionally 

 on the coast of England. 



a. Female, 26 inches long. River Rhymncy, Monmouthshire. Pre- 

 sented by the Rev. Augustus Morgan. (Has been kept for a 

 short time in a freshwater pond.) 



