538 FISTULARID-E. 



2. Aulostoma chiiiense. 



Vakni. Ind Amb. iii. p. 448. fig. 323, p. 502. fig. 494 ; Renard, Poiss. 



3foL i. pi. 3. fig. 18 ; ? Petiver, Gazophjl tab. 68. fig. 1. 

 Fistularia chinensis, part., L. St/sf. Nat. i. p. 515. 

 Aiilostomus cbinensis, part., Lucep. v. p. 357. 

 Aulostoma chineiise, Schley. Faim. Japon. Poiss. p. 320; Richards. 



Ichth. Chin. p. 247 ; Peters in Wierpn. Arch. 1855, p. 258. 

 Polj'ptericbthys valentini, Bleek. Ternate, ii. p. G08. 



D. 8-12 I 24-27. A. 27-28. V. G. 



The base of the soft dorsal and anal fms is black ; sometimes an- 

 other short black streak above, across the anterior rays. Ventral fin 

 w^ith a round black spot at the base. Sometimes nearly uniform, 

 without markings. 



From the coast of Mozambique to the Western Pacific. 



This species is so closely allied to Aid. coloratum, that a detailed 

 description would agree with that given of the other species in 

 nearly every respect. The crown of the head is more rugose, and 

 the three single plates of which the nuchal shield is composed are 

 more distinct. The pectoral is somewhat shorter, equal in length 

 to the ventral fin, the outer ray of which is sometimes branched 

 as well as articulated. The tail behind the vertical tins is a little 

 more slender, equal in length to the base of the soft dorsal fin. 

 Some individuals show the markings more distinctly than others. 



Var. a. 



Body with lighter longitudinal streaks and wdth indistinct darker 

 cross-bands. Maxillary band, ventral and two caudal spots, basal 

 band of the dorsal and anal fins, and a spot above the dorsal band, 

 very distinct and of a deep-black colour. 



a. Fine specimen. Amboyna. Purchased of Mr. Frank. 



b, c. Adult and half-grown. 



Var. ft. 



Body uniform ; maxillary band indistinct ; ventral and one supe- 

 rior caudal spot deep black : basal band of the dorsal and anal fins 

 rather short. 



d. Fine specimen. Amboyna. Purchased of Mr. Frank. 



Var. y. 



Body uniform ;. maxillary band pale ; ventral spots and anal band 

 absent. Only one spot on the caudal fin superiorly ; traces of the 

 basal band of the dorsal fin scarcely visible. 



e. Eighteen inches long: stuff'ed. Aneiteum. From Mr. Maogil- 



livray's Collection. — Another specimen from the same Collection, 

 which has not been purchased for the British Museum, belonged 

 to var. ft. 



