278 C. TATE REGAN. 



In Samaris maculatus the length of the head is 4 times in the total length, the depth 

 of the body 2| to 3 times. 



In Samaris cristatus the length of the head is 4i — 5 times in the total length, the 

 depth of the body 2|- times. 



51. Solea poropterus, Blkr. Mulaku, 27/. 



PHYSOSTOMI. 

 Fam. Scopelidae. 



52. Saurus varius, Lacep. S. Nilandu, 36/. and 30/, Felidu, 34/, Kolumadulu, 33/, 

 and N. Male, 35/ 



53. Saurida nebidosa, C. and V. S. Nilandu, 36/, Felidu, 34/, and N. Male, 35/ 



54. Saurida tumbil, Bl. Suvadiva, 44/, Felidu, 34/, and Kolumadulu, 33/ 



LOPHOBRANCHII. 

 Fam. Syngnathidae. 



55. Syngnathus sp. Haddumati, 35/. 



D. 23. Osseous rings 15 — 16 + 35 — 40. Length of the head 8 times in the total length. 

 Snout a little shorter than the rest of the head. A bony ridge crosses the opercle. Edges 

 of osseous rings serrated. Dorsal fin commences behind the anus. Brown vertical bands on 

 the body. 



Two specimens, each 55 mm. long. 



56. Ichthyocainpus belcheri, Kaup. Suvadiva, 44/ 



Fam. Solenostomidae. 



57. Solenostoma paradoxmn, Pall. Mulaku, 27/ 



Bleeker has described small specimens of a species of Solenostoma with a slender snout, 

 in which the caudal peduncle is longer than the base of the second dorsal, and named them 

 Solenostoma brachyuruni. One of these is in the British Museum Collection. Giinther has 

 written in the Museum Catalogue, " Considering that we know nothing of the changes which 

 Solenostoma undergoes during its growth, it is to be regretted that Dr Bleeker did not 

 examine these specimens more carefully, but merely attached a new name to them." 



The specimen from the Maldives seems undoubtedly of the species Solenostoma paradoxum. 

 The snout is more slender and the caudal peduncle relatively longer than in the adult. 

 Probably the badly preserved sjaecimen labelled Solenostoma brachyarum in the British Museum 

 Collection also belongs to this species, in which case the changes during growth can be 



shown thus : 



Depth of Suout Leugtb of Caudal Peduncle 



Total Length Length of Snout Base of Second Dorsal 



(Specimen in Brit. Mus.) 50 mm. \ ^ 



(Maldive specimen) 67 mm. \ ^ 



(Specimen in Brit. Mus.) 97 mm. ^ | 



