462 SPAEID^. 



from the anterior nostril. Canine teeth moderate ; the posterior 

 teeth of the upper jaw are rather obtuse and molar-like. Dorsal 

 spines moderate ; the fourth is the longest, and 2| in the length of 

 the head ; caudalis emarginate. Reddish olive (in spirits) ; the 

 scales on the back with a very distinct pearl-coloured spot in the 

 centre. 



West coast of Sumatra. 



a. Fine specimen. From the Haslar Collection. 

 h. Half-grown. From the Haslar Collection. 



18. Lethrinus glsrphodon. (Plate XXV.) 

 D. ^. A. |. L. lat. 48. L. transv. 6/15. 



The height of the body is 2i or 3 times in the total length, 

 the length of the head 3^. The snout is elongate and pointed. The 

 diameter of the eye equals the width between the orbits, and is one- 

 half the length of the snout. The upper maxillary reaches to the 

 vertical from the posterior nostril. Canine teeth moderate, the 

 molars large, and with a longitudinal groove on the crown. Dorsal 

 spines rather slender ; the third, foiirth and fifth are the longest, 

 and about one-third of the length of the head. Caudalis emarginate. 

 Unifoim olive (in a dried state). 



Louisiade Archipelago. 



a. Adult. Louisiade Archipelago. From Mr. Macgillivray's Col- 

 lection. 



h. Adult, Louisiade Archipelago (fiifteen fathoms). Voyage of the 

 Rattlesnake. 



Description. — The general form of this species is rather stout and 

 elevated, the greatest height of the body, above the base of the ven- 

 trals, being one-thii'd of the total length, or even more. The upper 

 j)rofilo of the neck is convex, and is continued into that of the head, 

 which is straight. The length of the head is 3i in the total ; the 

 snout elongate and pointed, twice the diameter of the eye. The 

 upper maxillaiy reaches to the vertical from the posterior nostril 

 when the mouth is closed, and is entirely hidden beneath the large 

 prffiorbital, Avhich is rather higher than long. The diameter of the 

 eye is one-fifth of the length of the head, and equals the space 

 between the orbits, which is flat or veiy slightly convex. The 

 operculum and suboperculum are covered with scales, and the former 

 terminates in a very obtuse point with a slight notch above it. 



The spines of the dorsal fiii are rather slender, slightly compressed 

 on one side. The third, or the third, fourth and fifth spines are the 

 longest, about one-tliird the length of the head, but rather shorter 

 than the fifth and sixth rays, which form the highest part of the soft 

 dorsal. The caudal is slightly emarginate, with the lobes somewhat 

 pointed. The anal spines are rather stronger, but shorter, than those 

 of the dorsal fin : the first is three-fifths of the second, the second 

 -intermediate in length between the first and third ; the third is 3i in 



