PISHES — SCOMBERESOCIDAE — BELONE EXILIS, 



159 



is large and sub-circular, and its horizontal diameter comprised about eleven times in the length 

 of the side of the head, seven times iu advance of its anterior rim. 



The anal fin commences somewhat in advance of the dorsal, but does not extend quite as far 

 back as the latter, which is less developed than the former. The general outline of the two fins 

 is the same ; their anterior third is much higher or deeper and sub-triangular, whilst the 

 remaining portion is quite low and gradually diminishing posteriorly. The caudal fin is short 

 and proportionally well developed, moderately emarginated posteriorly, the inferior lobe being 

 slightly larger than the upper. The ventral fins are small ; their insertion is equi-distant 

 between the base of the caudal fin and the posterior rim of the orbit. The pectorals are slender, 

 and directed obliquely upwards. 



Br. XI : XI ; D 16 ; A 20 ; C 4, 1, 7, 6, 1, 3 ; V 6 ; P 14. 



It was by inadvertance that, on a former occasion, we gave but thirteen rays to the anal fin. 

 The external ray of the ventral* is simple, that is, undivided though distinctly articulated. 



The scales are quite small upon the dorsal region, above the lateral line ; they increase in 

 size from beneath it to the lower portion of the flanks, along the middle of which the lateral 

 line itself takes an inconspicuous course towards the peduncle of the tail, whence it becomes 

 more apparent to the base of the caudal. A line of mucous pores, marked by peculiar scales, 

 and a good deal more apparent than the lateral line, may be traced from the inferior edge of 

 the branchial apertures along the lower portion of the flanks, in passing immediately above the 

 insertion of the ventrals, and when near the terminus of the anal, ascends to meet the lateral 

 line. The scales themselves are cycloid, without radiating grooves, and, as a matter of course, 

 ■without pectinations. They are sub-circular upon the dorsal region and sub-elliptical upon the 

 flanks, and placed so as to be deeper than long. The cheeks, the upper part of the opercle, the 

 middle of the occipital and fronto-nasal region, are covered by small scales. The upper surface 

 of the bill is perfectly smooth. 



The dorsal region is dark green ; a silvery streak extends along the middle of the flanks, 

 whilst the lower half of the sides and belly are of a dull reddish hue. The upper surface of the 

 bill is greenish brown ; the inferior surface, side of the head, and thoracic region, silvery. The 

 fins are olivaceous ; the dorsal and caudal dark, the pectorals, ventrals, and anal, light. 



List of specimens. 



