210 MR. W. THOMPSON ON A NEW SUB-GENUS OF FISHES. 
Although the numbers of these fin-rays be marked with doubt, they were reckoned 
with the greatest care; but without injury to the specimen they could not be ascer- 
tained with certainty to a single ray. Vertebre, which distinctly seen through the skin 
can be reckoned with accuracy, 98. Colours, anterior half a dull flesh colour, similar 
to specimens of Cepola rubescens preserved in spirits, hence it is presumed to have 
been originally red; behind this portion, reddish-brown markings appear on the body 
at the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and suddenly increase in number, until from an 
inch behind the middle, the whole sides are closely marked and spotted over ; the entire 
top and the sides of the head before the hinder line of the eye are similarly spotted ; 
just behind the cranium a few spots also appear: the posterior rays of the dorsal and 
anal and the entire caudal fin blackish. Iris, operculum, and under surface, a short 
way beyond the vent, bright silver. 
The two large teeth, resembling serpents’ fangs, which terminate the upper jaw on 
each side, have suggested the generic appellation of Echiodon (éyic, a viper, and odode, 
a tooth) ; and the specific name of Drummondii is proposed in honour of its discoverer’. 
Although when this fish first came into my possession, I saw that it might be classed 
under the Malacopterygu Apodes, and be placed near Ophidium, I considered that in a 
natural arrangement it would best constitute a new genus of the family Tenioidea. In 
being apodal it was not excluded from this family, as two genera belonging to it are 
destitute of ventral fins. I did not hesitate to place it under the Acanthopterygii, as 
some genera which are included in this order are, like it, strictly Malacopterygian, their 
natural connexion with genera having fins with spinous rays being considered—and in 
my opinion most philosophically—to outweigh this character: and further, I felt less 
reluctance in thus placing it, in consequence of Cepola rubescens, which it assimilates in 
' In Mr. Templeton’s catalogue of ‘Irish Vertebrate Animals,” published in the Magazine of Natural History 
(new series) for 1837, we find the following remarks in reference to Ophidium imberbe. ‘‘The only specimen I 
have observed was thrown on the shore of Belfast Lough, near the Whitehouse Point, on January 9, 1809. 
It was a large specimen, not less than a foot long, and agreed so exactly with the figure in the British Zoology, 
and differed so much from that of Mr. Montagu (Wern. Mem. p. 95. pl. 4.), that I am led to believe there are 
two distinct species, of which Pennant has described the one and Montagu the other.” New series, vol. i. p. 412. 
In endeavouring to gain further information on this subject from the late Mr. Templeton’s papers, (all of which 
through the kindness and liberality of his family are accessible to me,) I have been only able to find the follow- 
ing note, which appears in his Journal, under date of January 10, 1809. ‘‘ Went to the White House to look 
for Fuci: found a fish about 18 inches long, more taper than an Hel, at the thickest part about an inch and a 
half diameter. I think it was the Ophidium imberbe. Brit. Zool. iii. 398. t. 93, in vol. iy.” It is much to be 
regretted that the information was not more precise, as it is not improbable that the species alluded to may 
have been identical with that which forms the subject of the present article. The White House Point and 
Carnlough Bay are in a direct line about twenty miles distant. 
Lessin 
