EEG-AN — MAEINE FISHES. 243 



extremity of maxillary | the length of head ; least distance between eye and maxillary 

 ^ to f the diameter of eye ; prteopercular spine longer than in the other species, extending 

 much more than ^ the distance from its base to the vertical from the base of pectoral; 

 10 or 11 gill-rakers on the lower part of the anterior arch. Dorsal V, I 19; second 

 spine a little more than | the length of head; distance between origins of dorsals f the 

 distance from tip of snout to origin of first dorsal. Anal I 17 ; origin nearly equidistant 

 from tip of snout and base of caudal. Pectoral a little more than f the length of head, 

 ventrals f to f the lengtli of head, extending to the vent. Silvery; back darker; 

 fins pale. 



Seychelles, 37 fathoms. 



Two specimens, 70 and 80 mm. in total length. 



144. Champsodon microphthalmtis, s]i. n. (Plate 31. fig. 3.) 



Depth of body 5 in the length, length of head 3^. Snout 1^ as long as eye, the 

 diameter of which is 6 in the length of head and equal to the interorbital width. Pree- 

 maxillaries with a double notch anteriorly ; maxillary extending beyond the vertical 

 from posterior edge of eye ; distance from tip of snout to extremity of maxillary f the 

 length of head ; least distance between eye and ma.^illary equal to the diameter of eye ; 

 prseopercular spine of moderate length ; 9 or 10 gill-rakers on the lower part of the 

 anterior arch. Dorsal IV-V, 1 19 ; second spine ^ the length of head ; distance between 

 origins of dorsals f or a little less than f the distance from tip of suout to origin 

 of spinous dorsal. Anal I 17 ; origin nearer to tip of snout than to base of caudal. 

 Pectoral a little more than f the length of head ; ventrals | the length of head, 

 extending to the origin of anal. Traces of dark spots on the upper part of the body ; 

 upper part of spinous dorsal sometimes blackish. 



Maldives : Suvadiva, 30 fathoms, and Mulaku, 27 fathoms. 



Three specimens, 55 to 60 mm. in total length. 



The fishes of the genus Champsodon have usually been referred to a single species, 

 viz. C. voracc, Giinth., but a second species has recently been described by Gilbert from 

 the Sandwich Islands. In addition to the two species described above and the original 

 C. vorax, the type of which is redescribed below, four species of Champisodon are 

 represented in the British Museum collection and are now described as new to science. 

 The fishes of this genus may be distinguished by means of the following key : — 



I. Praemaxillaries without anterior notch ; maxillary extending to the vertical 



from posterior edge of eye or a little beyond guentheri, sp. n. 



II. Praemaxillaries with a double notch anteriorly ; maxillary extending beyond the vertical from 



posterior edge of eye. 

 A. Distance between origins of dorsals much more than I of the distance from tip of snout to 

 origin of spinous dorsal. 

 1. Prseopercular spine strong, extending considerably more than i the 



distance from its base to the vertical from the base of pectoral . . sechellensis, sp. u. 



34* 



