SYNOPSIS OF THE FISHES OF MADEIRA. 5 



Muzzle and teeth as in Lepidopus (Gouan), but the palatines unarmed. 



Dorsal fins two, nearly equal. Anal fin as in Lepidopus, but with a strong sharp 

 spine instead of a scale before it, a little behind the vent. No trace or rudiment of 

 ventral fins. 



Aphanopus carbo. — " Espada preta." Rariss. 



Of this most curious new genus a single individual only has yet occurred. The 

 whole fish is of a dark coffee colour, approaching to black, and has in form so close a 

 general resemblance to Lepidopus argyreus, Cuv., that it might well be taken hastily 

 for a mere variety of that fish. 



Tetragonurus atlanticus, nob. 



Differs from T. Cuvieri, Cuv. and Val., XI. 172. t. 318. chiefly in the longer head, 

 much larger eye (nearly twice as large in proportion to the whole length), greater width 

 between the eyes, teeth twice as numerous, in the upper jaw ; thicker body, longer pec- 

 toral fins, higher (twice as high) first dorsal fin, and inequality of its spines. Having, 

 however, seen only a single individual, I forbear to characterize it more distinctly ; espe- 

 cially since of T. Cuvieri so few examples have as yet occurred ; and that even MM. 

 Cuvier and Valenciennes appear to have taken their figure from one which was imper- 

 fect in the caudal fin at least. The first dorsal fin is described by MM. Cuvier and 

 Valenciennes as having fifteen spines ; but twenty-one are figured in the plate. 



The following is the fin formula of T. Cuvieri, according to Risso ; and MM. Cuv. 

 and Val. : 



" 1st. D. 18; 2nd. D. 1, 12; A. 1, 11; P. 16; V. 1, 5; C. 36."— Risso Hist. 



"Ist.D. (15 in text, I 2nd. D. 1 -t-13; A. 12;P?;V?; C?; B. M. .5."— Cuv. 

 (^ "21 in fig. J 



Val. Hist. 



That of T. atlanticus, nob. is 



IstD. 15; 2nd. D. 11 ; A. 11. ; P. 16 ; V. 1 -f- 5 ; C. ^J4ir; B. M. 5. 



The true affinities of this fish are certainly rather to be sought among the Mackerels 

 (e. g. Thyrsites) than the Mullets. Its relation to the Mugilida: is, indeed, one merely 

 of a faint analogy. 



Xiphias gladius, L. — " Peixe Agulha." 



The ordinary Sword-fish of Madeira is truly the common Xiphias gladius, L. 



I have heard, however, of " another sort, with a bayonet or spit-like beak," which 

 may perhaps have been a Histiophorus or Tetrapturus. 



Seriola DUBiA. Rariss. 



A single individual only has occurred, which I am unable to identify with any of the 

 species enumerated by MM. Cuv. and Val. The second dorsal fin is produced in front 



and 



