1. TRACHYPTEErS. 301 



The upper profile descends rapidly from above the eye to the snout. 

 The anterior seven dorsal rays are separated from the remainder of 

 the fin by a deep notch, and are very elevated. Seven of the caudal 

 rays are inserted on the upper part of the extremity of the tail, 

 forming a separate caudal lobe, obliquely directed upwards ; the other 

 rays are short, pointing backwards. There is a small spine on the 

 part of the tail which is opposite to the caudaJ lobe. Pectorals very 

 short ; ventral rays elongate, exceedingly frail. Silvery : two or 

 three blackish spots on the upper part of the back. 



Typical specimens 2 to 3 inches long. 



Nice. 



A specimen in the British Museum, five inches long, and said to 

 be from the Atlantic Ocean, I consider as belonging to this species. 

 Its greatest depth is at the nape of the neck, and is contained three 

 times and a half in the total length (without caudal fin). The 

 number of the dorsal rays, besides the anterior ones, which are de-* 

 tached, is 160, that is, twenty more than in Valenciennes' specimen ; 

 but I do not think that, in fishes in which the rays are so exceed- 

 ingly numerous, their number is as constant, within the Umita of one 

 species, as in fishes with fewer dorsal rays. 



2. Trachjrpterus cristatus. 



Tracbypterus cristatus, Bonelli, Mem. Accad. Torino^ xxiv. p. 485. pi. 9. 

 bonellir, Cuv. 8f Vol. x. p. 331. 



D. 6 I 114. A. 0. 



The lower profile of the trunk is much more prominent than that 

 of the tail, which is comparatively narrow and slender. The upper 

 portion of the caudal fin forms an erect lobe ; lateral line spiny. 

 Silvery : fins red ; two blackish spots on the dorsal crest, and five on 

 the posterior half of the dorsal fin. 



Gulf of Spezzia. 



The typical specimen, which has much the appearance of a deformed 

 fish, is in the Museum at Genoa. Risso, however, appears to de- 

 scribe a similar, if not the same, fish, under the name of Gymnetrus 

 mullerianus (Wiegm. Arch. 1840, p. 13). He says, " La plus grande 

 hauteur aux pectorales est presque la moitie de la longueur du corps 

 depuis les ouies jusqu'^ I'anus, s'amincit ensuite tout-i-coup en se 

 r^trecissant jusqu'a Textremite caudale." 



3. Trachyptems gnyphnms. 



Lotce, Proc. Zool. Soc. 18.50, p. 248. 



B. 6. D. 5 I 166. P. 10-11. V. 1/5. C. 8/5. 

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

 total length. Lateral line without spines. A series of three black- 

 ish blotches along the side of the body. 

 Madeira. 



Description. — " Intermediate between T. tcenia and T. iris, approach- 



