7. PARMA. 59 



the middle of the b.ody. The fourth to eighth dorsal spines are the 

 longest (two-fifths of the length of the head), and of moderate 

 strength. The anterior half of the soft dorsal fin is much higher 

 than the spinous, and the posterior part of its upper margin is vertical. 

 Caudal fin deeply forked, with the lobes somewhat pointed, the upper 

 lobe being as long as the head. The second anal spine is as long as, 

 but stronger than, the longest of the dorsal fin. The basal half of 

 the dorsal and nearly the whole of the caudal and anal fins are covered 

 with scales. The ventral extends to the anal. Uniform brownish (in 

 a preserved state), with the tins blackish ; posterior margin of the 

 soft dorsal white. The colour during life appears to have been red 

 Avith golden reflexions. 

 Australia. 



a. Six inches long : stuffed. Australia. Purchased of Mr. Warwick. 

 6. Six inches long : not good state. From the Haslar Collection, 



This species is closely allied to P. rubicunda, from the Eastern 

 Pacific ; both, however, appear to be different, the Australian speci- 

 men having small opercular scales, — although the distance of the 

 localities would not be a reason against their specific identity. 



4. Parma polylepis. 

 D. i|. A. -^. L. lat. 40. L. transv. 5/15. 



The height of the 'body is more than one-half of the total length 

 (the caudal fin not included) ; the profile between the origin of the 

 dorsal fin and the snout is arched, forming nearly a quarter of a 

 circle. Snout elevated, a little longer than the eye ; teeth very nar- 

 row, compressed, about fifty in the upper jaw. Praeorbital naked, 

 subquadrangular, nearly as wide as the eye. The scales on the upper 

 surface of the head do not advance to the front margin of the eye ; 

 prasoperculum covered with small scales, a narrow space round its 

 margins being naked. Scales on the operculum of about the same 

 size as those on the body. The dorsal spines are of moderate length 

 and strength, increasing in length posteriorly ; they are nearly en- 

 tirely enveloped in scales ; the soft dorsal is angular, with the pos- 

 terior part of its upper margin vertical. The second anal spine is as 

 long as, but stronger than, the longest of the dorsal fin. Anal and 

 caudal fins scaly. Caudal fin forked, with the lobes rounded, the 

 upper lobe being as long as the head. The ventral fin extends to 

 the anal. 



Owing to the preservation of the specimen in chloride of zinc, 

 the colours are nearly destroyed. The ground-colour appears to 

 have been greenish, fins and snout blackish ; two broad brownish 

 cross-bands are stiU distinct — the anterior below the fourth to 

 the seventh dorsal spines, the posterior between the soft dorsal and 

 anal fins. 



Norfolk Island. 



a. Six inches lone;. From the Haslar Collection. 



