538 FISTULARID.E. 



2. Aulostoma chinense. 



Valent. Lid. Amh. iii. p. 448. fig. 323, p. 502. fig. 494; Rcnard, Poiss. 



3foL i. pi. 3. fig. 18 ; ? Pdker, Gazophyl. tab. 68. fig. 1. 

 Fistiilaria chinensis, part., L. Si/st. Nat. i. p. 515. 

 Aulostomus cbinensis, part., Lacep. v. p. 357. 

 Aiilostoma cliineu.se, Schlcq. Faun. Japon. Poiss. p. 320; Richards. 



Ichth. Chin. p. 247 ; Peters in Wiegm. Arch. 1855, p. 258. 

 Polj-pterichtliys valeutini, Bleeh. Ternate, ii. p. 608. 



D. 8-12 I 24-27. A. 27-28. V. 6. 



The base of the soft dorsal and anal iins is black ; sometimes an- 

 other short black streak above, across the anterior rays. Ventral fin 

 with a round black spot at the base. Sometimes nearly uniform, 

 without marlvings. 



From the coast of Mozambique to the Western Pacific. 



This species is so closely allied to Aul. coloratum, that a detailed 

 description woidd agree with that given of the other species in 

 nearly every respect. The crown of the head is more rugose, and 

 the three single plates of which the nuchal shield is composed are 

 more distinct. The pectoral is somewhat shorter, equal in length 

 to the ventral fin, the outer ray of which is sometimes branched 

 as weU as articulated. The tail behind the vertical fins is a little 

 more slender, equal in length to the base of the soft dorsal fin. 

 Some individuals show the markings more distinctly than others. 



Var. o. 



Body with lighter longitudinal streaks and with indistinct darker 

 cross-bands. Maxillary band, ventral and two caudal spots, basal 

 band of the dorsal and anal fins, and a spot above the dorsal band, 

 very distinct and of a deep-black colour. 



a. Fine specimen. Amboyna. Purchased of Mr. Frank. 

 h, c. Adult and half- grown. 



Var. ft. 



Body uniform ; maxillary band indistinct ; ventral and one supe- 

 rior caudal spot deep black ; basal band of the dorsal and anal fins 

 rather short. 



d. Fine specimen. Amboyna. Purchased of Mr. Frank. 



Var. y. 



Body uniform ; maxillary band pale ; ventral spots and anal band 

 absent. Only one spot on the caudal fin superiorly ; traces of the 

 basal band of the dorsal fin scarcely visible. 



e. Eighteen inches long : jtuflfed. Aneiteum. From Mr. Macgil- 



hvray's CoUoction.^ — Another specimen from the same Collection, 

 which has not been purchased for the British Museum, belonged 

 to var. ft. 



