50 BEKyciD^. 



the figure that he has inisiaken the interoperculum for it, the margin 

 of the subopercuhuri being as strongly armed as that of the opercle. 

 He mentions three anill spines only ; but that would be an exception 

 to the rule in this genus. 



9. RHYNCHICHTHYS*. 



Holocentrus, sp., Gronov. Zoophyl. p. 65. tab. 4. f. 3, and Syst. ed. 



Gray, p. 173. 

 Rhynehichthys, Cuv. 8f Val. vii. p. 503, viii. p. 508. 



Muzzle more or less elongate, pointed, with pronunent upper jaw ; 

 eye large. Vilhform teeth in both the jaws, on the vomer and the 

 palatine bones. Eight branchiostegals. Opercular bones serrated ; 

 operculum and angle of pra^operculum with distinct spines. Scales 

 moderate, ctenoid. Two dorsals, scai'cely united ; ventrals with 

 seven rays. Caudal forked ; anal ^th four spines, the third longest. 

 Swim -bladder ? 



Tropical seas of both the hemispheres. 



1. RhyncMchthys pelamidis. 



Cuv. 8f Val. vii. p. 504. pi. 208. 



D. 10 I i A. ,^. L. lat. 35-40. 



Bluish green, silvery on the sides and on the belly ; a series of 

 black spots between the dorsal spines. 

 Indian Ocean. 



There is some similarity in the external physiognomy of this 

 species and Lepidoleprus japonicus ; moreover the number of the 

 ventral rays is also increased in the latter fish. In other respects 

 these fishes differ greatly from each other. 



2. RhyncMchthys bracliyrhynchus. 

 Bleeker, Arnhoina, iii. p. 17. 



i^-10|t^- A-rrii- L. lat. 25. 



Snout not projecting much beyond the mouth. Rose-coloured : the 

 spinous dorsal brownish ; the anterior rays of the soft dorsal and of 

 the anal, a transverse band at the base, and a longitudinal band on 

 each lobe of tjic caudal, deep violet ; ventral fins black. {Bl.) 



Sea of Amboyna. 



* 1. Holocentrus rostratus, Gronov. I. c— Caribbean Sea. It, is a pity that the 

 specimen on wliich Groriovius founded this si)ecics is not contained in his Col- 

 lection of dried fishes, wliic-h is now in tlie British Museum. There has not been 

 found one fish of tiie wliolo fuuiily of Berycidie in this Collection. 



