FISH. 109 
spinous teeth more numerous. If it be distinct it would seem to be undescribed ; 
though the colours not having been noticed in the recent state renders it difficult 
to speak with certainty on this point. For the same reason, the specific character 
may perhaps hereafter be found to require alteration. 
AL, Sones == 
Mr. Darwin’s collection contains another species of Scarus from the Keeling 
Islands, which may probably be distinct from all those hitherto noticed, but which 
being in rather a bad state of preservation, I shall content myself with describing 
as well as I can, without affixing any name to it, lest in the end it prove not new. 
Many of the species enumerated in the ‘‘ Histoire des Poissons” having only their 
colours noticed, it requires that these should have been observed more in detail 
than what Mr. Darwin’s notes furnish in this instance, in order to decide whether 
it be identical or not with any of those spoken of in that work. 
Form.—A tolerably regular oval, somewhat attenuated at each extremity: dorsal and ventral lines 
of equal curvature. Nape not at all elevated, and the profile on the whole falling very regu- 
larly and gradually from thence to the end of the snout, though there is a slight eminence on 
the forehead. Depth one-fourth of the entire length. Jaws smooth externally, but with the 
true teeth very distinct upon their surface, and much more so upon their cutting edges than in 
either of the last two species. One horizontally projecting canine at each corner of the upper 
jaw, but none in the lower. The terminating lobe of the opercle is slightly emarginated 
behind, the membrane projecting immediately above the notch in the form of a short salient 
point. Lateral line interrupted, the upper portion nearly straight, and not inclining down- 
wards at its posterior extremity: the tubes very slightly ramified, and many of them quite 
simple. The scales on the body are very finely granulated and striated: there are no large 
ones at the base of the caudal. Dorsal and anal low: height of the former contained four and 
a half times in the depth of the body, and exactly equalling the distance from the upper edge 
of the back to the lateral line. Pectorals somewhat triangular, the uppermost ray of all a little 
arcuate. Scale between the ventrals one-third the length of those fins. Caudal slightly 
crescent-shaped, when the rays are closed: when spread, all the middle rays appear even, the 
uppermost and lowermost projecting very slightly beyond them. 
De 9/105 Ay 3/9 Ca 13) kes Pola. WV. tio. 
Length 6 inches. 
Cotour.— Body dull reddish and greenish, the colours being blended and mottled: fins banded 
lengthwise with vermillion-red : head with waving bright green lines.” —D.— No trace of bright 
colours remains in its present state, and the only indication of markings is a narrow crescent- 
shaped band across the middle of the caudal. 
