1^2 



boidal scales of Balistes, Ej ., — this fish might be regarded as the type 

 of a distinct subgenus among the BaUstida. 



" The strong dorsal spine, the spinous processes of the pelvic 

 bones, and the cluster of lateral spines, added to the tough indu- 

 lated epidermis of this fish, form an armour excellently adapted for 

 its protection against its more powerful enemies. 



" It is an inhabitant of the Indian Ocean, freąuenting the shores 

 and coral reefs. The present specimen Avas brought from the Mau- 

 ritius by Dr. Hibbert, Surgeon, 99th Regiment. This species is 

 stated to be also found abundantly on the western coast of Australia, 

 ■vvhere it is known to the settlers by the name of " leather-jacket," 

 — a denomination which is probably applied to it in common -^ath 

 other species of BaUsfidtE." 



Mr. Gray exhibited a drawing of this specimen, and stated his 

 intention of publishing a figure of it in the concluding Number of the 

 ' lUustrations of Indian Zoology,' -vvhich is about to appear. 



Mr. Gray called the attention of the Meeting to t^vo new species 

 of Sturgeon ; one from China, of \vhich he exhibited a specimen, and 

 the other from the Mississippi, of which he showed a drawing taken 

 from a specimen in the British Museum. The former species belongs 

 to the šame section of the genus with the Acipenser glaber of Mar- 

 sigli, characterized by its conical muzzle, and the smooth and silvery 

 nature of the skin between its 5 rows of platės. It "vvas sent to En- 

 gland by Mr. John Russell Reeves, and is distinguished by the fol- 

 low'ing characters : 



Acipenser Sinensis. Acip. Icevis, siiperiie brunneus ; rosfro gra- 

 cili.conico, aciito, mutico ; fronte arcuato; scutis seriei dorsalis 

 15 — 16, radiatim sidcatis, alte carinatis, carind postici uniden- 

 tatd, anterioribus gradatim minoribus, duobus vltimis ecarinatis ; 

 seriermn lateralium brevioribus, carind postice bidentatd; caudd su- 

 perne serie radiorum simplicium, ad latera squamis angustis tcctd. 



Hab. in China. 



Scuta dorsalia IG ; lateralia superiora 40 — 41, inferiora 13 — 14. 



The other species -vvas stated by Mr. Gray to belong to a new sec- 

 tion intermediate bet\veen the true Sturgeons and the Spatularice, 

 having a broad expanded muzzle, flat above, shelving on the sides, 

 and concave, and furnished with a centrai ridge beneath. 



Acipenser cat.\phractus. Acip. brunneus, sąuamis parvis rugo- 

 sis caudam versus majoribus I(Bvioribusque ; rostra depresso apice 

 spatulato, carind laterali occipitegtie ad latera spinosis; scutis ru- 

 gosis, acute carinatis, carind postice unidentatd ; vertcbralibus 

 posterioribus muticis, lateralibus posterioribus muito majoribus. 



Acipenser cataphractus. Rapp, MSS. 



Hab. in fluvio Mississippi. 



The beards are 4 in number ; and the hinder part of the body 

 elongated, slender, and depressed. The snout is composed of a large 

 number of small long bones, radiately grooved, owing perhaps to the 



