128 



VII.— DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SOUTH AFRICAN 



FISHES. 



Dentex albus, n. sp. (Witte-visch). 



Canines moderately strong, 4 in upper jaw, 6 in lower. 

 Depth of body, 2* times in total length ; length of head, 

 3^ times. Snout more than twice diameter of eye, which 

 is f; interorbital width and 4I- times in length of head ; 

 preorbital width a little greater than height, which is i* times 

 diameter of eye, scaleless ; 8 series of scales between 

 preorbital and margin of preoperculum ; some small irregular 

 scales on preoperculum, the outer margin of which is scaleless ; 

 angle rounded, vertical limb, about twice as long as the hori- 

 zontal ; interorbital space boldly convex, protruding ; maxil- 

 lary reaches to vertical of anterior third of eye and almost 

 entirely concealed by preorbital ; opercle with a blunt incon- 

 spicuous spine. Upper profile of head strongh^ convex, form- 

 ing a quadrant of a circle from origin of dorsal fin to snout. 



Dciifcx alhiis, II. sp. 



Dorsal xii 10, spines weak and flexible ; first 2 spines very 

 short, 3rd and 4th about equal and f length of head, the 

 succeeding spines gradually shortening, the last being shghtly 

 lower than the soft rays. Pectoral nearly as long as head, 

 reaching to anal rays. Ventrals ^ length of head, not 

 reaching vent. Anal iii 8, 2nd spine a httle stronger but 

 shorter than 3rd. Caudal forked, -^^^ length of head. 



