23. EQUULA, 505 



the head is contained 4| times in it. No spines above the orbit ; 

 the cavity on the head is triang-iilar, and 2| as long as broad. The 

 lower praeoperciilar margm is minutely serrated ; the mandibiila 

 ascends in a vertical line. Scales rather small; the lateral line 

 terminates below the origin of the soft dorsal. Back with some- 

 what irregular vertical blackish streaks, generally interrupted and 

 fonning spots. 



East Indian Seas ; N.W. coast of Australia. 



a. Adult : injured. Amboyna. Pui'chased of Mr. Frank. 



b. Half-grown. Singapore. 



c. Adult. China. Presented by J. R. Reeves, Esq. 



d. Half-grown. China. Presented by Capt. Sir E. Belcher, C.B. 



e. Half-grown. China. Presented by Capt. Sir E. Belcher, C.B. 

 /. Half-grown : bad state. Port Essington. From the Haslar Col- 

 lection. 



g. HaK-grown : bad state. From the Haslar Collection. 



16. Equula parviceps. 



Cm: i^ Val. x. p. 87. 



D.A A.±. 



The height of the body is one-tliird of the total length, the length 

 of the head one-fifth. The mandibula is straight, not concave ; 

 spines above the orbit inconspicuous. The height of the second 

 dorsal spine is one-third of that of the body. Coloration unifonn. 

 (Val) 



Sea of lie de France. 



The following species deviates in several respects from the others 

 of this genus : — 



17. Equula longimanus. 



Cantor, Cutal. Mai. Fishes, p. 152. 



B.5. D.l^. A. A 



The height of the body is one-third of the total length, measured 

 to the centre of the posterior margin of the caudal ; the length of 

 the head is 31 in that distance. No spines above the anterior part 

 of the orbit; praeopercular margins smooth. Scales large, diapha- 

 nous, deciduous, so that the body appears to be naked. The second 

 dorsal spine is one-third of the third, the length of which slightly 

 exceeds one-half of the height of the bodj'. The second anal spine 

 is three-quarters of the second spine of the dorsal, but much broader, 

 sabre-hke. The pectorals are very elongated and falcated, extending 

 as far back as the posterior third of the dorsal fin. A large, rounded, 

 bluish-black spot on the anterior part of the side. 



Sea of Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 



a. Skin. From Dr. Cantor's Collection. — Tj-pe of the species. 



