FISHES HETEROLEPIDAE CHIROPSIS NEBULOSUS 



45 



quite small, and, as usual, fringed. The base of the first dorsal is a little longer than that of 

 the second, which is nearly equal to the base of the anal. The first dorsal is more elevated ante- 

 riorly than in C. pictus. The posterior extremity of the pectoral fins does not extend quite a far 

 hack as the tips of the ventrals,, which approximate the vent, without, however^ reaching it. 



Br. VI : VI ; D XXI, 25 ; A 24 ; C 5, 1, 7, 6, 1, 6 ; V I, 5 ; P 19. 



The scales are somewhat larger than in C. pictus, hut similar in shape and structure. There 

 are also five lateral lines, the uppermost of which running nearer the dorsal line than in 

 C. pictus. The point of divergence of the fifth of these lines begins nearly midway between 

 the origin of the ventrals and the vent. The curve is also more open. The scales covering the 

 opercular apparatus are larger than in C. pictus. The base of the caudal, pectorals, and 

 dorsals exhibit small scales, as in the foregoing species. 



The ground color is olivaceous ; the sides and upper part of the head are clouded with dusky 

 brown or red. The upper region of the body exhibits crowded, small, blackish spots, extending 

 likewise over the head. The dorsal, caudal, and pectorals are clouded with brown, the anal 

 and ventrals being blackish. The inferior region of the head and belly is unicolor, and of a 

 lighter hue than the back. 



References to the figures. — Plate XX, fig. 5 represents Chiropsis guttatus, somewhat reduced 

 in size. Fig. 6 is a scale from the dorsal region. Fig. 7, a scale from the middle lateral line. 

 Fig. 8, a scale from the sides of the body. 



List of specimens. 



4. CHIROPSIS NEBULOSUS, Grd. 



Spec. Char. ^Dorsal fins contiguous. Caudal posteriorly sub-concave. Lower portion of cheeks and opercular apparatus 

 scalelcss. Base of anal longer than soft dorsal. Upper region black ; inferior region olivaceous. 



This species has the general appearance of C. constellatus, though a good deal more elongated. 

 The greatest depth is equal to the length of the head, which is contained four times and a half 

 in the total length, in which the caudal enters seven times and a half. The lower half of the 

 cheeks and opercular apparatus is scaleless. The eye is of moderate development, sub-elliptical 

 in shape, its horizontal diameter being contained five times in the length of the side of the 

 head. The supraocular flap is very slender and fimbriated. The spinous portion of the 

 dorsal fin is a good deal longer than the soft portion. The latter is also shorter than the anal^ 

 the origin of which is situated in advance of the junction of the two dorsals. The pectorals are 

 very broad ; their extremities do not extend quite as far back as the tips of the ventrals, which 

 remain at a considerable distance from the vent. 



Br. VII: VIII; D XXV, 19; A 25 ; C 6, 1, 7 6, 1, 6 ; V I, 5 ; P 19. 



