4 Dr. A. S. Woodward on some 



The scales completely cover the trunk and are in regular 

 vertical series, except near the base of the anal fin, where 

 they taper and are reflexed, and below the hinder half 

 of the dorsal fin, where they also turn sharply forwards, A9 

 shown by impressions in the type-specimen, the inner face of 

 each scale is smooth, thickened only at the front edge, and 

 the peg-and-socket articulation is both wide and deep. The 

 outer face is always completely covered with an ornament of 

 closely-arranged striae, which are only slightly wavy and 

 are generally directed obliquely downwards and forwards 

 (fig. 3 a), though sometimes almost vertical on the principal 

 flank-scales in the anterior half of the abdominal region. 

 The striae of adjacent scales are not conformable, and on a 

 few dorsal scales they sometimes show a subdivision into 

 tubercles. On the ridge-scales of the ventral border in 

 advance of the anal fin there is a conspicuous close series of 

 backwardly-inclined denticles or serrations. The principal 

 flank-scales on the anterior part of the abdominal region are 

 more than twice as deep as wide. A single regular series of 

 small square or oblong scales forms the base-line of the 

 dorsal and anal fins. The course of the lateral line is only 

 very feebly marked by a series of short vertical slits, one near 

 the upper end of most scales in a row extending backwards 

 from the post-temporal plate. 



The fish thus described agrees with Platysomus and differs 

 from all other Platysomidas * in the relatively large size 

 both of the square post-temporal and of the deep operculum. 

 It also resembles the typical Platysomus in its external 

 ornamentation. It is distinguished from that genus, however, 

 by the high position of the pectoral fin on the flank and 

 apparently by the absence of pelvic fins ; also by the great 

 relative length of its caudal region. It may therefore be 

 referred to a new genus Ecrinesomus, defined as follows : — 

 Trunk deeply fusiform, with rounded contour, and caudal 

 region relatively elongated. External bones and scales finely 

 ornamented with nearly vertical strise ; post-temporal plate 

 large and quadrate in shape ; operculum much larger and 

 deeper than suboperculum. Fin-rays distantly articulated 

 and distally bifurcated; no fulcra. Pectoral fins large, 

 raised on the flank ; pelvic fins arbsent ; dorsal and anal fins 

 much extended, acuminate in front, low and fringe-like 

 behind. Scales completely covering the trunk, in regular 



* R. H. Traquair, " On the Structure and Affinities of the Platy- 

 somidse," Trans. Roy. »oc. Edinb. vol. xxix. (1879), pp. 343-391, 



pis. iii. vi. 



