13. NEPTOMENUS. 389 



This gonus is known from tliree specimens only, — one discovered 

 by the llev. R. T. Lowe at Madeira, the second by Sir A. Smith at 

 the Cape, and the third by Filippi and Verany in the Mediterranean. 

 There can be no donbt as to their generic identity ; and the last- 

 named naturalists have evidently not consulted the works of the 

 Enghsh natnralists. But it would appear, fr-om the descriptions 

 quoted, that the specimens belong to different species. If we re- 

 collect, however, that the African specimen is an adult fish, half 

 decayed when found, and figured after it had been stuffed, whilst the 

 Madeiran and Mediterranean specimens are apparently yoimg, the 

 latter being rather indifferently figured, we are justified in. doubting 

 even their specific difference. In the following descriptions it will 

 be seen in what points the specimens seem to differ. 



1. Cubiceps capensis. 



Atimostoma capense, Smith, I. c. pi. 24. 



D. 10 1 3^. A. 3^. L. lat. 66. 



The maxillaiy bone does not extend to the vertical from the margin 

 of the orbit ; no furrow on the side of the body. The width of the 

 interocular space equals that of the orbit, which is about one-fourth 

 the length of the head. Coloration uniform. 



Cape Seas. 



a. Forty-three inches long : stuffed. From Sir A. Smith's Col- 

 lection — Type of the species. 



2. Cubiceps gracilis. 



Seriola (Cubiceps) gracilis, Lowe, I. c. 

 Navarchus sulcatus, Filijtpi e Verany, I. c. f. 1. 



D. 11 I 20. A. ^. L. lat. 60 (66). L. transv. 9/9, 



The maxillary extends to below the anterior part of the orbit. A 

 longitudinal fuiTOW above, and another below the lateral line. Colo- 

 ration uniform. 



Mediterranean ; Sea of Madeira. 



13, NEPTOMENUS*. - 



Body oblong, compressed, covered with cycloid scales of moderate 

 size ; the cleft of the mouth of moderate width ; the snout obtusely 

 conical. Prseopercular margin obtusely crenulated. The fii-st dorsal 

 continuous, with seven feeble spines ; the second and the anal are 

 more developed, with a scaly sheath at the base ; finlets none ; anal 

 spines indistinct. Pectorals much longer than the ventrals. A series 

 of minute teeth in the jaws ; palate toothless. Branchiostegals six (?). 



New Zealand. 



* vjiTrTo/uevos. sniinming. 



