SOUTH AMERICAN NEMATOGNATHI. 203 



148. Steindachneria amblyura. 



Platystoma j>arahi/b<e Steindachner (iu part), Siisswasserf. siidostl. 



Bras, iii, 82, 1876 (Jeqiiitiuliouha). 

 Steindachneria amblyura Eigenm. & Eigenm. Proc. Cal. Acad. 2d 



Ser. i, 137, 1888 (Jequitinhonha). 

 Habitat: Jequitinhonha. 



Dr. Steindachner described his P. parahyhce from a 

 specimen .56 m. long and refers the other specimens in 

 the Mus, Comp. Zool. from the Jequitinhonha and Para- 

 hyba to this species. A comparison of all these speci- 

 mens shows that those from the Jequitinhonha differ 

 widely from those from the Parahyba, having scarcely 

 anything in common but the color. 



We have selected specimens of equal size from the two 

 rivers for comparison. 



Body slender. Head much depressed, its width at the 

 angle of the mouth is | its greatest width which is equal 



to the length of the head; greatest 



depth of the head 2^ in its length. (""^^^ 



Eye 85 in head, 3 in snout, 3| in ^""^^ ^__^ 



interocular; one diameter behind (^y ^-^_) 



the angle of the mouth. ^7 



Gill-rakers 4-f-9 to 12. 



Dorsal spine slender, 2i to 3 in head, the rays If to 2. 

 Base of the adipose fin almost twice as long as the base 

 of the anal. 



Pectoral spine 2 in head, sharp teeth on its inner 

 margin; outer margin roughened its whole length. 



Ventrals extending half their length behind the vent. 

 The membranes of the fins all thin. 



Upper parts brownish, with round spots which are 

 smallest on head, sometimes confluent into vermicula- 

 tions. Adipose fin and caudal with spots; membrane of 

 dorsal fin sometimes with a vertical series of spots, other 

 fins dusky. Lower parts plain. 



Head 4; depth 7i; Br. 9 or 10; D. I, 6; A. 12. 



