ON THE FISHES FROM THE MALDIVE ISLANDS. 277 



apai't in the former, the head and anterior part of the body is broader, so that the females 

 appear more elongated. 



This species is distinguished from Rhornhoidichthys poecilurus, Blkr., by the absence of a 

 pair of black spots on the caudal, and by the greater size of the maxilla, which is contained 

 2| times in the length of the head. 



Suvadiva, 44 /, S. Nilandu, 36 and 30 /, Felidu, 34 /., and Mulaku, 27 /. 



45. Rhomboidichthys poecilurus, Blkr. {Rhornhoidichthys grandisquama, Gthr. ; and Rhorn- 

 hoidichthys spilurus, Gthr.) 



Bleaker, describing this species, gives the number of scales in a longitudinal series as 

 about 45. Gllnther distinguishes between two species, Rhomboidichthys grandisquama, with 40 

 scales in a longitudinal series, which he identifies with Rhomhus grandisquama, Schleg., in 

 reality a quite distinct species; and Rhornhoidichthys spilurus, with 48 scales in a longitudinal 

 series, and the eyes closer together. 



In the 13 specimens from the Maldives the scales vary from 40 — 48 in a longitudinal 

 series, nearly all intermediate numbers being found. The males have a knob on the maxilla, 

 and the interorbital width equal to the diameter of the eye. The females have no maxillary 

 knob, and the interorbital wdth is about i the diameter of the eye. In immature fish the 

 eyes are closer together. 



This species is distinguished from Rhornhoidichthys grandisquamis in that it has a pair 

 of black spots on the caudal, in the middle of the upper and lower margins respectively, and 

 has a smaller mouth, the length of the maxilla being contained 3|^ times in the length of the 

 head. 



Suvadiva, 44 /, and 34 /. 



46. Rhomboidichthys intermedius, Blkr. Suvadiva, 44 /., and Felidu, 34 /. 



47. Rhomboidichthys pantherinus, Blkr. Suvadiva, 43 /, and S. Nilandu, 36 and 30 /. 



48. Brachypleura xanthosticta, Gthr. Suvadiva, 44 f., and Mulaku, 27 /. 



49. Cynoglossus hrachycephalus, Blkr. Mulaku, 27 /. 



50. Saviaris macvlatus, Gthr. Suvadiva, 45 f. 



In the Challenger Report this species is described, from one specimen, as having three 

 series of dark spots, five along the dorsal profile, four along the latei-al line, and five along 

 the ventral profile. In two small specimens from the Maldives, each 29 mm. in total length, 

 these spots are connected by dark lines, the colour being preserved better. 



Samans cristatus. Gray, differs from Samaris maculatus in having a somewhat smaller 

 head and deeper body, and in the elongation of the anterior dorsal rays, but the two 

 specimens in the British Museum Collection have dark spots feebly visible in the same 

 position as in Sa7na7-is maculatus. These specimens are males, and that named Samaris 

 maculatus is a female, and apparently the small specimens from the Maldives are females, 

 so that it seems possible that the differences are not specific, but sexual. The elongation 

 of the anterior dorsal rays is characteristic of the males in the allied genus Brachypleura, 

 and in many other fishes of this family. 



