Ilambe] A NEW SPECIES OF PLATYSOMUS 21 



Small ventral ridge-scales are present in advance of the anal fin, 

 seven of them occupying a space, in a fore and aft direction, of about 

 35 mm. 



There seems to have been little or no ossification of the vertebral 

 axis whose position, however, is clearly indicated from the back of 

 the head to the caudal pedicle. The neural spines were apparently 

 ossified to some extent and have left their imprint throughout the 

 length of the column between the head and the tail. Near the head 

 their distal ends are about 65 mm. above the axis of the column; 

 in passing backward they gradually decrease in length and are less 

 upright. 



Fin-supports extend along the whole length of the base of the dor- 

 sal and anal fins, those of the former being somewhat shorter than those 

 of the latter. In each series the number of supports is about equal 

 to that of the dermal fin-rays. From their appearance in the specimen 

 the supports were probably in a state of semi-ossification. 



No indications of ribs are detected nor are haemal spines seen 

 except behind the caudal pedicle in the lower .half of the base of the 

 tail where apparently the spines are enlarged and support the fin- 

 rays of the lower caudal lobe. 



The ventral fins were probably small ; no trace of them, however, 

 is preserved. The pectoral fin is situated high on the body and there 

 is no reason for supposing that it is much, if at all, out of place. Its 

 position is indicated by a number of fin-rays which further shew that 

 it was of small size; as the rays are not complete distally the outline 

 of the fin is lost. 



The fin-rays are articulated, and divide and subdivide at intervals 

 in their length. In the anterior part of the anal fin the rays are par- 

 ticularly clear and distinct. In one of the rays here, which is 60 mm . 

 in length, a division takes place at 16 mm. from the proximal end; 

 further subdivision at rather irregular intervals results in sixteen 

 slender filaments at the outer end. In other parts of the fin, and in 

 the dorsal and caudal fins, the same general plan of fin-ray division 

 is adhered to. In the lower caudal lobe near the inferior margin 

 proximally the fin-rays are particularly robust strengthening the lower 

 lobe as the body prolongation does the upper lobe. Fulcra are not 

 present on the fins. 



What may be impressions of small, knob-like teeth suggest a 

 tritoral dentition. No other indications of teeth have been observed. 

 The impressions occur a short distance back from the anterior end of 

 the mouth opening and have an average diameter of 1 mm. ; they are 

 about their own diameter apart and are disposed in a rather irregular 

 manner. 



