450 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 



of the tail ; the lieight of the body is contained from once and three-fifths to twice and 

 one-fifth in the total length. Guatemalan specimens have generally the black caudal 

 blotch, but they vary much in the depth of the body. The numbers of the iin-rays 

 (D. p-y^j. A. fj^) appear to be very constant. 



158. Herds margaritifer. (Plate LXXI. fig. 2.) 

 (Jiinth. Fish. iv. p. 287. 



D. [[. A. l- L. lat. 31. L. transv. 5/13. 

 The fold of the lower lip is slightly interrupted in the middle; five or six series of 

 scales on the cheek. The height of the body is rather less than one-half of the total 

 length (without caudal). Brownish olive, with seven black cross bands, each band with 

 pearl-coloured spots. 



One specimen, 6| inches long, was found by Mr. Salvin at Lake Peten. 



159. Herds melaxopdgdn. 



Steindachnerj Denkschr. Ak. Wiss. Wien, xxiii. p. 72, Taf. 1. fig. 3. 



D. ^^. A. y. L. lat. 30. L. transv. 6^/13. 



The fold of the lower lip is interrupted in the middle ; five or six series of scales on 

 the cheek. The height of the body is four-ninths of the total length (without caudal). 

 Body with five irregular blackish cross bands interrupted in the middle, so as to repre- 

 sent two series of irregular blotches ; a large blackish blotch on the root of the caudal 

 fin. Small pearl-coloured spots surround the lower blotches, and are scattered over the 

 caudal blotch. 



Knovni from a specimen 4^ inches long. 



This fish may represent merely the younger state of H. margaritifer ; it is stated to 

 be from Central America. It formed part of a collection made by Friedrichsthal, who, 

 to judge from other specimens collected by him, appears to have visited Lake Peten, 

 which is inhabited by //. margaritifer. 



160. Herds melanurus. (Plate LXXII. fig. 3.) 

 (iunth. Fish. iv. p. 288. 



D. ^. A. g. L. lat. 33. L. transv. 5/13. 



The fold of the lower lip is subinterrupted in the middle ' ; five series of scales on the 

 cheek. The height of the body is contained twice and a third or twice and a half in the 

 total length (without caudal). A deep-black band along the middle of the tail ; tin- 

 lower parts black in adult specimens. 



Several examples, from 3 to 10 inches long, were collected by Mr. Salvin at Lake 

 I'eten. 



' The fold is distinctly interru])ted in S])Ocimens from 6 to 10 inches long, whilst it appears to bo slightly 

 continuons in young individuals of .'5 to 4 inches long. 



