DR. GiJJNTHER ON THE FISHKS OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 421 



and three-fourths in the base of tlie former, and in that interval are three scales ; its 

 length is less than that of the first. The ventral equals the distance of the hinder 

 margin of the orbit from the snout. The tubes of the lateral line have slender branches 

 diverging from them, generally directed obliquely upwards. The larger scales have six 

 radiating strise. The colour is light greenish brown above, with an indistinct silvery 

 spot at the centre of each scale. Below the lateral line, especially between it and the 

 anal tin, the colour is rose. The dorsal fins covered with spots of the colour of the 

 back. The others are immaculate. 



Two specimens, the longest of which is 7^ inches long, were collected by C'apt. Dow 

 on the Pacific coast of Central America. 



47. Chrvsophrys calamus. 

 A fine example, 16 inches long, has lately been sent by C'apt. Dow from Panama. 



49. ClRRHITlCHTHYS RIVULATUS. (Plate I.XXXVL fig. 4.) 

 Cirrhitts rivulatiw, Valeiic. Voy. Venus, Poiss. p. 309, pi. 3. fig. 1 (bad) . 

 D. [j. A. g. L. lat. 47. L. transv. 6 14. 



The height of the body is contained thrice in the total length (without caudal), the 

 length of the head twice and two-thirds. The snout is of moderate extent, compressed 

 and rather elevated ; the maxillary extends beyond the front margin of the eye. Inter- 

 orbital space deeply concave, and half as wide as the orbit ; a low longitudinal median 

 crest ou the crown of the head. Pra;operculum finely serrated behind. The fourtli, 

 fifth, and sixth dorsal spines are the longest, two-sevenths of tlie length of the head, all 

 are of moderate strength. Seven simple pectoral rays, none of which extend so far 

 backwards as the ventral fin. The second anal spine is longer, but scarcely stronger, 

 than the third. Brownish, with transverse dark brown bands and spots, all of which 

 are edged Avith light blue. There are two of these bands on the head crossing the 

 praioperculum ; five on the body and tail, composed of large, more or less confluent, 

 round spots ; especially the third and fourth terminate above each in a pair of large 

 spots, the first pair occupying the end of the spinous and commencement of the soft 

 dorsal, the second the basal portion of the end of the soft dorsal. Caudal and anal fins 

 with similar ocellated spots ; a brown band across the inner side of the root of the 

 pectoral. 



A single example of this beautiful species, 6 inches hmg, was obtained by Capt. Dow 

 at Panama. The typical specimen was obtained at the Galapagos Islands. 



51. POLYNE-MUS 3IEL.1X0P0MA. 

 (iiiiitli. I'roc. Zool. Soe. 1864, p. 148. 



D. 7|y2- -'^- js- L. lat. 73. 

 Nine free pectoral appendages, the longest of which extends to the vent. Praopcr- 



