ON THE FISHES FROM THE MALDIVE ISLANDS. 273 



Apogon arafurae^ : Day distinguishes between this species and Apogon nigripinnis, C. and V., 

 from which it differs in many important characters. 



In the specimens in the British Museum Collection, and in those from the Maldives, the 

 length of the snout is | to | of the diameter of the eye, and in the Challenger specimen, 

 described as Apogon arafurae, the eye diameter is equal to the length of the snout, which 

 is contained 4 times in the length of the head, this being due to the fact that the eyes 

 become relatively smaller in larger fish. Day's statement that the length of the snout is ^ 

 the diameter of the eye is probably, therefore, inaccurate. 



Suvadiva, 44/, and Mulaku, 27/ 



3. Apogon nigripinnis, C. and V. Haddumati, 40/ 



A male fish, 47 mm. in total length, had its mouth full of eggs ; and a specimen in the 

 British Museum Collection shows the same phenomenon, which is, no doubt, a case of protec- 

 tion by the parent. 



4. Apogon septemstriatus, Gthr. S. Nilandu, 36 and 30/ 



5. Apogon fasciatus, White. S. Nilandu, 30/ 



6. Apogon sp. N. Male, 35/ 



D. VII, 19 ; A. II, 8 ; L. lat. about 25. 



This species is represented by two very small specimens, each 15 mm. in total length. 



The head is nearly half the total length. The body is dark brown, with a black band at 



the base of the dorsal, and a broad black longitudinal band ventrally. They cannot with 

 certainty be said to belong to a hitherto undescribed species. 



7. Anthias cooperi, n. sp. 



D. X, 16; A. Ill, 7; Sc. 52, J'-^; L. lat. 50. 



Depth of body three times in total length, length of head 3J times. Snout scaly, shorter 

 than the eye, the diameter of which is slightly greater than the interorbital width, and is 

 contained three times in the length of the head. Lower jaw slightly projecting, scaly. Maxil- 

 lary scaly, extending to below the centre of the eye, the width of its extremity | the diameter 

 of the eye. Two or three spines at the angle of the preopercle ; sub- and interopercle serrated ; 

 two opercular spines. Dorsal spines increasing in length to the fourth, rest subequal ; no notch 

 between spinous and soft portions ; base scaly. Ventrals a little longer than the pectorals, not 

 quite so long as the head. Anal spines strong, the first shortest, the second longer than the 

 third ; soft portion scaly at the base, pointed, the third ray longest. Caudal moderately emarginate. 

 Caudal peduncle as long as deep. Lateral line curved. Coloration uniform, in spirit. 



This species is allied to Anthias cichlops, sqiiamipinnis and townsendi, from all of which 

 it differs in having more numerous scales, and in having spines at the angle of the preopercle ; 

 in this latter feature it resembles Anthias formosxis and rnargaritaceus, from which it differs 

 in the important character of having the lateral line curved, not forming an angle below the 

 hinder dorsal rays. Length of the specimen, 47 mm. 



Haddumati, 40/ 



' Day, Fishes of India, i. pp. CO and 63. 



35—2 



