4]fi DE. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF t'ENTRAL AIMEEICA. 



caudal), the length of the head thrice. The diameter of the eye equals the widtli of 

 the interorbital space, is one-fifth of the length of the head, and two-thirds of the 

 extent of the snout. Snout produced ; cleft of the mouth wide ; the maxillary extend- 

 ing beyond the front margin of the eye. Praeoperculum with the hind margin vertical 

 and finely serrated. The spinous and soft portions of the dorsal fin are separated by a 

 notch ; dorsal spines modevately strong, the fourth being the longest, its length being 

 contained twice and three-fourths in that of the head. Second anal spine exceedingly 

 strong, more than half as long as the head. Caudal fin slightly emarginate ; pectorals 

 terminating at some distance before the vent. Scales ctenoid. Coloration uniform. 



This species is known from a single example (size not stated) from the Rio Bayano 

 (Panama). 



27. Pristipoma macracanthum. (PI. LXIV. fig. 1.) 



(xunth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 146. 



D. ll|i. A. 3/8. L. lat. 47. L. transv. 0/13. 



The height of the body equals the length of the head, and is one-third of the total 

 (without caudal). The diameter of the eye equals the width of the interorbital space, 

 iind is two-thirds, or somewhat less than two-thirds, of the extent of the snout. Hind 

 margin of the anterior nostril with a broad flap. Snout somewhat produced ; the 

 maxillary does not extend to below the anterior margin of the eye. Prgeoperculum 

 with the hind margin rather concave, and with stronger teeth at the angle, which is 

 rounded. The spinous and soft portions of the dorsal fin are separated by a deep 

 notch, the spine of the soft portion being much longer than the preceding, which is 

 somewhat longer than the second. Dorsal and anal spines exceedingly strong; the 

 fourth dorsal spine is the longest, its length being contained tmce and a third in that 

 of the head. The second anal spine much longer and stronger than the third, and even 

 than the fourth dorsal spine. Caudal fin truncated. Each soft ray of the vertical fins 

 is accompanied by a series of minute scales. The pectoral fin extends to the vent. 

 Scales smooth. Silverv. with several very indistinct dark cross bands on the back, 

 which appear to be arranged as in P. leuciscus. 



Two specimens, 11 and 14 inches long, were collected by Mr. Salvin at Chiapam. 



29. Pristipoma leuciscus. (PI. LXVI. fig. 3.) 

 (ruuth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G+, p. 117. 



D. nil. A. 3,7-8. L. lat. 51. L. transv. ^\ 



i 1.J lU 



The height of the body is contained thrice or thrice and a third in the total length 

 (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and a fourth. The diameter of the eye 

 is equal to, or more than, the width of the interorbital space, but is less than the extent 

 of the snout. The maxillary does not quite extend backwards to the vertical from the 

 anterior margin of the orbit. Prieoperculum finely serrated behind, with the angle 



