50 BERYC1D.E. 



the figure that he has mistaken the interoperculum for it, the margin 

 of the subopercuhim beriig as strongly anned as that of the opercle. 

 He mentions three anal spines only ; but that would be an exception 

 to the nilc in this genus. 



9. RHYNCHICHTHYS*. 



Holocentrus, sp., Gronov. Zoophyl. p. 65. tab. 4. f. 3, and Syst. ed. 



Grail, p. 173. 

 Ehpichichtliys, Cuv. 8, Val. vii. p. 503, viii. p. 508. 



Muzzle more or less elongate, pointed, with prominent upper jaw ; 

 eye large. Yillifonn teeth in both the jaws, on the vomer and the 

 palatine bones. Eight branchiostegals. Opercular bones serrated ; 

 operculum and angle of prseoperculum with distinct spines. Scales 

 moderate, ctenoid. Two dorsals, scarcely united; ventrals with 

 seven rays. Caudal forked ; anal with four spines, the third longest. 

 S-n-im-bladder? 



Tropical seas of both the hemispheres. 



1. RhyncMchthys pelamidis. 



Cm: ^- Val. vii. p. 504. pi. 208. 



Bluish green, silvery on the sides and on the belly ; a series of 

 black spots between the dorsal spines. 

 Indian Ocean. 



There is some similarity in the external physiognomy of this 

 species and Lepidoleprus japonicus ; moreover the number of the 

 ventral rays is also increased in the latter fish. In other respects 

 these fishes differ greatly fi'om each other. 



2. Rhynchichthys brachyrhynclms. 



Bleelcer, Amhoina, iii. p. 17. 



I>-10|t^,. A.^. L.lat.25. 



Snout not projecting much beyond the mouth. Rose-coloiu'ed : the 

 spinous dorsal bro^vnish ; the anterior rays of the soft dorsal and of 

 the anal, a transverse band at the base, and a longitudinal band on 

 each lobe of the caudal, deep violet ; ventral fins black. {Bl.) 



Sea of Amboyna. 



* 1. Holocentrus rostratus, (rrowot'. /. c. — Caribbean Sea. It is a pity that the 

 specimen on which Gronovius founded tliis species is not contained in his Col- 

 lection of dried fishes, which is now in the British Museum. There has not been 

 found one fish of the whole family of Berycidie in this Collection. 



