302 TBACHTPTERIDJ5. 



ing perhaps nearest to the latter, but differing in its deeper shape, its 

 depth being two-elevenths of the total length, and in the backwarder 

 position of the third dark side-spot. The ventral fins are short, only- 

 equalling one-twelfth of the body, without the caudal fin, and the 

 first four produced rays of the first dorsal are equal in length to the ven- 

 tral fins. The lateral line ends as in Cuvier and Valenciennes' figure 

 (t. 297) of T. iris, but is quite unarmed. The ventral line is serru- 

 late ; and the whole surface, particularly towards the ventral line is 

 finely shagreened or granulate, the granulaticms becoming stronger 

 towards the ventral Une, as in tne same figure. In shape and pro- 

 portions it agrees better with T. tcenia, but differs in several important 

 particulars from Cuvier and Valenciennes' description of that fish. 

 The only individual examined occurred in June 1845, and has been 

 added by me to the Collection of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 

 It was scarcely quite dead when I first saw it, and was in the most 

 perfect state of preservation. Another Trachypterus had occurred in 

 Juno 1844, and was probably the same species ; but the example was 

 unfortunately thrown away by the person to whom it had been mis- 

 sent, without my seeing it. It was said to have been about three feet 

 long. The whole body is pure bright silver, appearing as if frosted, 

 from the fine granulations of the surface. The fins are of a delicate 

 scarlet or vermilion, the lower point or angle of the caudal being 

 tipped, and the hinder end of the dorsal edged with black. On the 

 sides are three blackish oval or elliptic spots. This example was 

 twenty-five inches long, exclusive of the caudal fin, which resembles 

 a bat's or griffon's wing, and is erected in a fan-like manner ; the 

 lower lobe or portion being suppressed or undeveloped, and only 

 indicated by the presence of five short spinules or abortive rays." 

 (Lowe.) 



4. Trachypterns taenia. 



Falx Venetorum, Bellon. Aqtiat. p. 137 ; Aldrov. Pise. p. 370. 



Taenia altera, Rondel, p. 327 ; Artedi, Synon. p. 115 (nos. 2 & 4). 



Cepola trachyptera, L. Gm. i. p. 1187. 



Trachyptenis taenia, Bl. Schn. p. 480. 



Gymnetrus lacepedii, JRisso, Ichth. Nice, p. 146. pi. 5. figf. 17. 



Trachypterus falx, Qiv. ^ Vol. x. p. 333. 



B. 6. D. 8 1 162-168. A. 0. C. 8/6. P. 11. V. 1/7. 



The greatest depth of the body is near, or at, the occiput, and is 

 contained five times and a quarter in the total length (without cau- 

 dal) . Lateral line spiny. A series of three blackish blotches along 

 the side of the back, and sometimes one or two paler ones on the 

 side of the abdomen. 



Seas of Messina, Nice, and Algiers. 



The greatest height of the body is at or near the occiput, and con- 

 tained five times and a quarter in the total length (without caudal). 

 Muzzle truncated ; cleft of the mouth vertical ; the upper jaw very 

 protractile. Six or eight small teeth in each of the jaws, three or 

 four on the vomer ; palatines with some asperities. The eye occu- 



