26. PHOLiDicnxHYs. 293 



shorter ; the last twelve rays are rather more flexible than the pre- 

 ceding, and increase again slightly in length. The base of the fin is 

 scarcely to be dLstinguished from the back, as it is enveloped in the 

 thick integument of the body. The caudal, like the other fins, is 

 composed of simple rays, and very short, its length being contained 

 eight times and a half in the total. The anal commences near the 

 vent, is rather low, arid not continuous with the caudal. The 

 pectoral is shorter than the head, inserted immediately above the 

 lower profile, and slightly rolinded, the tips of the rays somewhat 

 projecting beyond the membrane. 



There is no trace of scales whatever ; a lateral line proceeds from 

 the angle of the operculum to the base of the last dorsal ray, 

 running near, and parallel to, the upper profile. A series of flat 

 warts foUows a part of its course ; other smaller warts are scattered 

 over the lower part of. the side and the interoperculum. Olive : head 

 and body dotted and spotted with black ; a series of large round 

 spots along the lower half of the dorsal fin, another of small dots 

 along the upper half ; the outer half of the caudal and anal fins and 

 the whole of the pectorals black. 



lines. 



Total length 38 



Height of the body 13^ 



Length of the head 13 



Diameter of the eye 0^ 



Length of the second and third dorsal spines . . 6| 



of the caudal 4| 



of the pectoral 10 



26. PHOLIDICHTHYS. 



Pholidichthys, Bleek. Boeroe, p. 406. 



Body elongate, tapering, naked ; snout obtuse ; no membranaceous 

 appendages or filaments. Jaws with teeth of unequal size ; palate 

 smooth. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins united, but distinct, the former 

 formed by flexible spines. Ventrals two-rayed, scarcely before the 

 pectorals. Branchiostegals six. 



Sea of Boeroe. 



1. Pholidichthys leucotaenia. 



Sleeker, Boeroe, p. 406. 



D. ea. A. 55. V. 2. 



The height of the body is contained nine times and a half in the 

 total length, the length of the head five times and four-fifths ; head 

 nearly twice as long as high ; snout obtuse, shorter than the eye, 

 which is one-fourth of the length of the head. Jaws nearly equal, 

 the upper extending to below the posterior half of the eye. Blackish- 

 violet, with a bluish-white longitudinal band. (BleeJc.) 



Sea of KajeH (Boeroe). 



