464 MUGiLiDj;. 



caudal fin, above the tenth scale of the lateral line; its anterior spines 

 are rather strong, their length being a little more than one-hall' of 

 that of the head. The soft dorsal is a little higher than the spinous, 

 not scaly, and commences above the twenty-fourth scale, or above the 

 fourth soft anal ray. Caudal fin emarginatc. The anal fin is some- 

 what higher than the dorsal opposite, having feeble spines, the an- 

 terior being quite rudimentary. The pectoral is inserted above the 

 middle of the depth of the body, and equal in length to the chstancc 

 of the nostril from the posterior margin of the opercxdum ; it extends 

 nearly to the tenth scale. 



Back greyish-green, each scale with a brown margin; a silvery band 

 from the base of the pectoral to the caudal fin ; lower parts silvery ; 

 base of the pectoral blackish. 



This species is so closely allied to Agonostoma telfaini from the 

 Mauritius, that it requires a minute examination to distinguish them. 

 Tlie snout of the American species is comparatively shorter and the 

 spinous dorsal fin is situated more forwards. 



The fish was discovered by Mr. Owen, who, in company with 

 Messrs. Salvin and Godman, is at present engaged in investigating 

 the natural productions of Guatemala. 



7. Agonostoma monticola. 



Mugil monticola, {Bancroft) Griff. Anim. Kim/d. Fishes, p. .307. pi. 30. 

 Dajaus monticola, Cuv. Sf Val. xi. p. 104. pi. 316. 

 Mugil irretitus, Gosse, Nat. Sci/. Jamaica, p. 84. 



D. 4 1 1. A. |-. L. lat. 40-42. L. transv, 12. 



Small teeth in the jaws, on the vomer and the palatine bones. 

 The height of the body is contained four times and a thii-d to four 

 times and a half in the total length. Upper Up thin. The maxillary 

 extends to the vertical from the anterior margin of the eye. The 

 interorbital space is convex. The anterior dorsal commences some- 

 what nearer to the snout than to the base of the caudal fin. 



Fresh waters of the West Indies and of Mexico. 

 a. Adult. Barbadoes. Purchased of Mr. Cuming. 

 b-e. Half-grown : skins. Jamaica. From Dr. Parnell's Collection. 

 /. Young. Bluefields, Jamaica. From Mr. Gosse's Collection, and 



type of his Mugil irretitus. 

 g-h. Adult : stuffed. West Indies. 

 /. Half-grown, Mexico. From M. Salle's Collection. 

 k-n. Adult. 



8, Agonostoma percoides. 



D. 4 ||, A. |-. L. lat. 40-42. L. transv. 13. 



Yilliform teeth in the jaws, on the vomer and the palatine bones. 

 The height of the body is contained four times and a third to four 

 times and a half in the total length. Upper lip thin. The max- 

 illary extends beyond the vertical from the anterior margin of the 

 eye. The interorbital space is flat. The anterior dorsal commences 

 midway between the snout and the base of the caudal fin. 



