1 . HKLONE. 235 



A. Anterior dorsal rai/s jjrolo/u/fd, forniiiu/ a lube, or giiiiiy a 

 falciform appearance to the Jin : liL4one. 



1. The free portion of the tail is strowjly depressed, ivith a sharp 

 lateral ed(/c. 



1 . Belone trachura. 

 Cuv. Sf Val. xviii. p. 4-3G. 



D. 15-17. A. 20-21. 



The free portion of the tail is strongly depressed, with a sharp 

 lateral edge ; body subcylindrical. The length of the head is one- 

 third of the total (with the caudal) ; its upper surface flat, striated 

 without distinct median groove ; superciliary region striated ; base 

 of the intermaxillaries much depressed, maxillary entirely hidden by 

 the praiorbital. The lower jaw considerably longer than the up[)er. 

 Teeth small ; vomerine teeth none. The diameter of the eye is a 

 little more than the width of the interorbital space, and one-half of 

 the length of the postorbital portion of the head. Depth of the body 

 considerably less than the length of the pectoral fin, which is more 

 than the distance of the opercular margin from the orbit. Ventral fin 

 nearly midway between head and caudal fin. The middle and hinder 

 dorsal and anal rays subequal in length, short, the last terminating 

 at a great distance from the root of the caudal. Caudal tin forked. 

 Scales rather small, adherent. 



Island of Ascension. 



a-c. From 16 to 20 inches long. Old Collection. 



2. Belone incisa. 

 Cuv. 8f Val. xviii. p. 451. 



D. 19. A. 22. 



The free portion of the tail depressed ; body subcyUndrical ; the 

 length of the head two-fifths of the total (with the caudal). Maxil- 

 lary entirely hidden by the praeorbital. Dorsal and anal fins not 

 high, caxidal truncate. Scales very small. {Val.) 



Indian Ocean. 



3. Belone depressa. 



? Belone depressa, Poey, Mem. Cuba, ii. p. 29(5. 

 D. 13-14. A. 18-19. 

 The free portion of the tail is strongly depressed, and dilated mto 

 a broad, sharp edge on each side. . Body rather depressed, subpenta- 

 gonal. The length of the head is rather less than one-third of the 

 total (without caudal) ; its upper surface flat, striated, without dis- 

 tinct median groove ; superciliary region faintly 'striated ; base of 

 the intermaxillaries much depressed. Maxillary entirely hidden by 

 the praeorbital, which is scaly. Teeth very small ; vomerine teeth 

 none. The diameter of the eye is somewhat more than the width of 

 the interorbital space, and one-half of the length of the postorbital 

 portion of the head. Depth of the body considerably less than the 



