NO. 1568. 



FISHES FROM THE FHILIPPINES-SEALE AND BEAN. 231 



blackish wash at the origin of the lateral line. Dorsal whitish, its 

 osseus ray gray. Caudal and pectorals grayish. Ventrals and anal 

 yellowish. 



Type specimen.— Q^i. No. 57840, U.S.N.M., 3.50 inches long, from 



near Zamboanga. 



This species shows a wide variation in color; there may be an indis- 

 tinct dusky line on sides of body, or the various spots may be scarcely 

 perceptible, although present in all our series. The ventral surface 

 may have a wash of bright orange. 



Numerous specimens obtained by Doctor Mearns at Mount Malin- 

 dang all show a splendid purplish reflection with a golden wash to 



belly. 



The spots on these specimens are scarcely perceptible. 



This species equals Barhus macidatus var. unnamed. See A. Giin- 

 ther, Voy. H. M. ^. OliaUenger, Report on the Shore Fishes, pp. 53-54. 



MEARNSELLA, new genus. 



This genus is characterized by the presence of two barbels, and in 

 having the pharyngeal teeth hooked and in two series, inner row with 

 4 and^the outer with 5 teeth; body with the entire abdominal edge 

 trenchant; pectorals elongate and anal of moderate length. 



This genus of Cyprinida? is related to Eustira of Giinther, differing 

 chiefly fn the presence of barbels, in having but two series of pharyn- 

 geal teeth, and a smaller number of dorsal rays. 



This genus is named in honor of Major E. A. Mearns, U. S. A., by 

 whom the specimens were collected. 



Type. — Mearnsella alestes Scale and Bean. 



Mearnsella alestes, new species. 



Head, 4; depth, 3.75; eye, 3.25 in head, equal to length of snout; 

 interorbital, 2.50 in head; D., 11; A., 15; scales, 6/32/2. 



Body oblong, compressed ; thorax and abdomen trenchant ; mouth 

 moderately large, oblique, with lower j aw slightly pro] ecting ; maxillary 

 ending below anterior margin of eye. A long maxillary barbel on 

 each side, reaching to middle of opercle. Caudal peduncle long and 

 slender, its depth 2 in its length. Pharyngeal teeth small, curved, 

 sharp pointed and hooked, without evident grinding surface. Oper- 

 cle and preopercle entire. 



Lateral line abruptly bent down to axis of pectoral, extending 

 thence along the lower portion of body to caudal. Body covered 

 smooth, deciduous, striated scales. 



Dorsal fin located on the posterior half of body, its origin opposite 

 that of anal. Length of dorsal base one-half that of head ; its longest 

 LIO in head; anal origin midway between base of caudal and lower 



