APPENDIX. 487 



proportionally higher ; the distance also between the ventrals 

 and anus is considerably less in proportion to the length of the 

 head, which is contained four times and a half in the total 

 length of the fish, while the height of the body is contained 

 five times. The proportions of australis are stated differently. 

 Length of specimen, 3.42 inches. 



Habitat. — King George's Sound, (Benj. Bynoe, Esq. Sur- 

 geon of the Beagle). 



Since the above notice was drawn up I have examined a cris- 

 ticeps upwards of six inches long, which was sent from Botany 

 Bay by Sir Everard Home to the College of Surgeons. This 

 does not clear up the doubt respecting the identity of australis 

 and cristiceps. It has completely lost its colours, and 

 shews neither the greenish bands of australis, nor the silvery 

 marks of axillaris, it has, however, the form of the fins of the 

 latter, with the number of rays exactly as in australis, a space 

 between the ventrals and anus equal to the length of the head, 

 scales on the body, as in axillaris, and similar pores on 

 the head. Better materials are required to enable us to 

 decide whether axillaris be a nominal species or not. 



SCORP^NA STOKESIL— RicHARnsoN. 



Radii.-D. 12 I 9; A. 3 | 5; C. 136 ; P. 17; V. 1 | 5. 



Plate 2. f. 6, 7, 8, and 9, nat. size. 



The ScorpccrKB have so strong a generic resemblance among 

 themselves that it is difficult to detect the distinctive charac- 

 ters of the species, especially as the colours of the recent fish 

 speedily fade when macerated in spirits, or when the mucous 

 integument decays or is injured. We have received but a 

 single example of the subject of this article, which is named 

 in honour of the able commander of the Beagle. 



The species bears a near resemblance to the Sc. militaris, 

 but differs from it in having no spinous point terminating the 

 intra orbitar ridges, and in the distribution of the scales on the 



