156 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE, 
spines that follow short, and not protruding much beyond the skin. First spine in the dorsal 
very strong, aculeated at the anterior edge, but not at the sides; no third spine in this fin. 
Second dorsal and anal even. Caudal rounded. 
D. 224; A.21; C. 12: P. 13. 
Length 2 inc. 3 lin. 
Cotour.—Not noticed in the recent state. The ground colour has probably been altered by the 
spirit, but the markings are still very distinct, and accord tolerably with Bloch’s figure, except 
that the oblique bands on the posterior part of the body, in front of and above the anal, are 
darker ; while they alternate with four white ones, which are particularly conspicuous. _Pos- 
sibly these white bands may have been originally blue, as the narrow stripes descending from 
the eyes to the pectorals, which evidently were of that colour, are nearly faded to a white. 
There is also a white stain on each side of the tail, where the spines are, which appears to 
have been blue originally: the spines themselves are deep shining black. 
This specimen shows the black transverse bands between the eyes, and the broad band 
passing from the eye to the pectoral, between the narrow blue ones above alluded to, all repre- 
sented by Bloch, but not observed by Mr. Bennett in the specimen figured in the “ Zoology of 
Beechey’s Voyage.” 
Habitat, Tahiti. 
The above specimen was taken by Mr. Darwin at Tahiti. It is quite small, 
and differs in some respects from the figures of Bloch and other authors, but it 
is evidently referable to the B. aculeatus. The species is probably subject to 
variation in respect of colouring. 
1. ALEUTERES MACULOosUs. Richards. 
Aleuteres maculosus, Richards. in Proceed. of Zool. Soc. 1840. p. 28. 
Form.—Oval, somewhat approaching to fusiform behind, very much compressed. The greatest 
depth one-third of the entire length. Skin covered with little granular points, terminating in 
very minute bristles, and communicating a slight roughness to the touch, when the finger is 
passed from tail to head. Snout rather prominent and acute: jaws equal. Dorsal spine 
springing from above the middle of the orbit of the eye; strong, with four rows of sharp 
prickles at the four angles, pointing downwards, and very regularly set: second dorsal spine 
very minute. The second dorsal and anal fins have been lost in this specimen, and their form 
and number of rays cannot be determined. The pectorals are small, each with twelve rays. 
Caudal rounded, also with twelve rays. 
Length 5 ine. 4 lines. 
Cotour.— Mottled with pale blackish green, leaving white spots.”—D.—In its present state, the 
skin is nearly gone from long maceration in impure spirit: such portions as are left accord 
well with Dr. Richardson’s description, appearing of a mouse-grey, with darker mottlings. 
There are three or four rather indistinct dark asciz across the caudal. 
