5. BEKYX. 15 



operculum aud running in the same direction ; it might be taken for 

 a thii'd opercular spine. The scapular and coracoid bones are nearly 

 entire. The scales of the nape reacli f;xr between the eyes. 



The dorsal fin is more distant from the occiput than from the root 

 of the caudal ; the distances are =3 : 2. The spines gradually become 

 longer behind, the length of the first being 5| in that of the seventh ; 

 the first ray is still longer — one-half of the height of the body, and 

 nearly twice as long as the last ; it is branched. The length of the 

 base of the dorsal fin is much longer than the pectoral ; its origin 

 corresponds to the level of the 7th scale of the lateral line, its end 

 to that of the 27th. The spines are rather slender, and show some- 

 times a longitudinal groove. 



The caudal fin is exceedingly deeply forked, one of the longest 

 outer rays being more than four times as long as the middle, and as 

 long as the head ; both the lobes appear to be equal in length (the 

 extremities are rather injured). The upper and lower side of the 

 base is furnished with four- short imbricate spines. 



The length of the base of the anal fin nearly equals that of the 

 pectorals ; its origin corresponds to the level of the 15th scale of the 

 lateral line, its end to that of the 32nd. The spines are slender and 

 become gradually longer behind ; the fourth is rather shorter than 

 the first ray, which equals the sixth dorsal spine, and is more than 

 tAvice the length of the last ; its lower edge is straight. 



The pectoral fin is placed about one-third of the height up the 

 side, not very long, and pointed, equaling one-fifth of the whole 

 length of the fish. The rays arc regular and slender ; the fii'st two 

 imbranched ; the third the longest. 



The ventral fins are placed just below the base of the pectorals ; 

 they are ovate and much shorter than the latter, their length being 

 one-seventh only of the total. The spine is strong, striated, about 

 three-fourths of the entire length of the fin. A narrow elongated 

 scale at theii- exterior axil. 



The scales are of moderate size, with smooth surface and fine 

 posterior serratui-e ; in several of the dorsal scales the middle part 

 of the serratui'e projects beyond the margin. The lateral line is 

 nearly straight, uninterrupted. 



The specimens are now discoloured, but apjiear to have been red, 

 with ii'idescent streaks. 



inches, lines. 



Total length 14 



Height of body 4 4 



Length of head 3 10 



of seventh dorsal spine 1 9 



of first dorsal ray 2 10 



— — — of longest caudal ray 3 5i 



of middle caudal ray 8| 



of fourth anal spine 1 6 



of first anal ray 1 fi| 



of pectoral 2 (5 



of ventral 1 9 



