426 APPKNDIX. 



is taken from the first example, and the description from a 

 comparison of the Avhole of the numher thus referred to. 



Compared -sA'ith a Mackarcl of the ordinary size the body is 

 stouter, and tlic head conspicuously so; but the body becomes 

 proportionally more slender near the tail; Avherc in the smaller 

 individual the lateral carina or ridge ^vas obscure, but in the 

 others well developed; no scales to be discerned on the body, 

 but an irregular corset along the side of the bade, Avhich in 

 the larger examples was scarcely to be discerned; the lateral 

 line begins above the root of the pectoral fin, and is irregular 

 in its course. The snout protrudes, and the joint Avhich unites 

 the snout to the forehead is much more elevated proportionally 

 than in the ]Mackarel; imder jaw a little in advance of the 

 upper; gape wide; teeth conspicuous and strong; eye rather 

 large; many small lines running backward from the hindmost 

 border of the eye and end of the mystache; nostrils midway 

 from eye to snout. The first dorsal fin begins in a line above 

 the root of the pectoral; in the first example six of its rays 

 were long, the fourth and fifth longest, after which the fin 

 passed very narrow to the origin of the second dorsal; but in 

 three examples the first ray was longest, and the decrease in 

 length was gradual; twenty-four rays in all, their roots in a 

 chink, which was deepest to receive the larger rays; the second 

 dorsal Ioav, as is the anal, the former Avith fifteen rays, the 

 latter eleven; finlets eight above and below; pectoral fin short 

 and Avlde, Avith t.Aventv-three rays; tail much forked, but the 

 rays not counted, from the obscurity of those in the middle. 

 The colour a cast of beautiful blue along the back and upper 

 part of the sides, Avith fourteen broad circular belts of a deeper 

 tint along the body; tints of yelloAV in one example on the 

 first gill-coyer and behind the head. The first dorsal fin in the 

 larger examples intensely black; the second dorsal, pectoral, 

 and tail dark, the tAvo last Avith a light border; fins beloAV 

 light; belh- silverv. 



