312 PKISTirOMATID^. 



9. Hsemulon xanthopterum. 



Hsemuloii bonariense, Cuv. <§• Va/. v. p. 234. 



xanthopterum, Cfuv. ^ Val. v. p. 234. 



heterodon, Cuv. <§• Val. v. p. 235. pi. 121. 



D. 11 I ~. A. |. L. lat. 50. Vert. 11/15. 



The height of the body is 3 or 3^ in the total length, the length 

 of the head 3| or 3f . The snout rather pointed, of moderate length, 

 rather longer than the diameter of the eye, which is 3| in the length 

 of the head. The uj^per maxillary does not fully extend to the 

 vertical from the centre of the orbit. The posterior limb of the 

 praeoperculum is slightly emarginate and minutely denticulated ; the 

 angle with rather stronger spinous teeth. The dorsal fin is notched; 

 the spiires are moderately strong ; the fourth the longest, exactly 

 one-half the length of the head. The soft dorsal, the caudal, and 

 anal fins are thickly enveloped by scales. Caudalis forked ; the 

 second anal spine is stronger and longer than the third, and rather 

 longer than the longest of the dorsal. The pectoral fins are tiu-ned 

 upwards. The. lateral scales between the pectoral fin and the lateral 

 line are consjncuoKsly much larger than the remainder. Coloration 

 uniform, with oblique bands beneath the lateral line ; a deep-black 

 spot is concealed by the angle of the prajoperculum. 



Atlantic coasts of Tropical America. 



a, b. Adult. West Indies. 



c. Adult : skeleton. West Indies. 



d. Fine specimen. From the Haslar Collection. 



e-l. Adult : stufi'ed. West Indies. Purchased of Mr. Scrivener. 



m. Adult : stuffed. Martinique. 



n-1/. Adult and half-grown : skins. Jamaica. From Dr. ParneU's 



Collection. 

 z. Half-growTi : skin. Trinidad. Presented by J. B. Richardson, 



Esq. 

 a. Half-grown. Puerto Cabello. Purchased of Mr. Brandt. 

 p. Half-grown. Old Collection, as Perca chromis. 

 y. Half-grown : stuffed. From Mr. YarreU's Collection. 



Peritoneum black. 



Skeleton. — The system of muciferous channels is more developed 

 than in Pri»tlponia, but much less than in the true Scicenido'. There 

 are four very distinct openings on the upper part of the skuU, between 

 the eyes ; the posterior and smaller pair close together ; the anterior 

 more distant from each other, and close behind the tirrbinal bone, 

 which, more strongly developed than usual, forms a solid half- 

 channel. Between these openings there is a deep longitudinal 

 groove, widening between the turbinal bones to receive the processes 

 of the intermaxillaries. The occipital crest is very prominent, the 

 horizontal portion being wider than the vertical, and extending on the 

 frontal bones ; the lateral crests are relatively less developed, but veiy 

 distinct, and the outer one is transformed into a muciferous channel, 

 commencing with an elongate opening above the posterior part of 



