442 



SPARIC^, 



3. Sargus capensis. 



Smith, nimtr. Zool. S. Afr. Fishes, pi. 23. f. 2. 



D. 



A. 



L. lat. 72. L. transv. 8/15. 



Incisors moderately broad, implanted obliquely ; three series of 

 molars in the npper jaw, two in the lower. Head rather small, 

 its length being 4| in the total length ; the distance between the 

 origin of the dorsal fin and the occiput is much more than that 

 between the occiput and the snout. The diameter of the eye is 

 one-fourth of the length of the head, less than the distance between 

 the eyes, and 1| in the length of the snout. The pectoral fins 

 extend to the vertical from the second soft ray of the anal fin ; 

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

 and nearly one-third of the length of the head. Uniform silvery ; a 

 large black blotch behind the dorsal (in life). 



Cape Seas. 



a. Adult 

 Adult. 



D. i^. 



14 



b. Adult. D. i|. 



c. Adult: stuffed. 



Smith. 



d. Adult: stuffed. 





A. ^. Cape Seas. Presented by Sir A. 



D. i|. A. 



Cape Seas. Presented by Sir 

 A. Smith. — Type of the species. 



Description. — The body is rather elevated, its greatest depth being 

 below the fourth dorsal spine, where it is nearly one-third of the 

 total length. The profile of the nape forms a strong curve and is con- 

 tinued into that of the head, which is straight and descends abruptly 

 to the snout ; the distance between the occiput and the end of the 

 snout is about three-quarters of that between the occiput and the 

 origin of the dorsal fin. The head is compressed and rather short, 

 its length being 4| in the total ; the distance between the eyes is 

 one-third of the length of the head. The snout is of moderate 

 length, the upper maxillary reaching to the vertical from the posterior 

 nostril. The praeorbital is 1| as long as high, and does not entirely 

 cover the maxillaiy bone. The eye is of moderate size, situated in 

 the middle of thewertical from the neck to the inferior limb of the 

 prajoperculum. The nostrils are placed near the upper angle of the 

 orbit ; the posterior is a very small sht, the anterior more ovate in 

 form. There are five series of scales between the praeorbital and the 

 limb of the prseoperculum, which is also covered with a single series 

 of scales. The posterior margin of the praeoperculum is vertical, the 

 angle and the inferior margin are ciu-ved. The operculum has an 

 obtuse spine posteriorly, and is covered with scales, like the sub- 

 and interoperculum. The suprascapula is scale-like, without any 

 strife or denticulations ; and there is an indistinct cui-ved series of 

 scales, ascending from the suprascapula to the nape, which exhibit 

 some inconspicuous striae. 



The dorsal fin begins immediately behind the vertical from the 



